The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-05-08

to prove so valuable to him when be
reached the land Of the Ganges."
"Then 1 must believe it-that baron
is q fiend in his way. He has long
head, too, for already has he seen that
YOU are the man destined to give him
the most trouble in connection with
Molly, and he would in the start KNOCK
you out Of the race"
Mynheer Joe shrugs his shoulders.
81 see very plainly that shall have
to be the death of this baron yet, OF
else he must take my life. Think OF
it, man: Ten hours ago did moi
know he existed; now the world is toe
small for both Of US to live"
Astonishing! Never heard Of such
O. rapid advance in my lifer' declares
the other.
"And yet it is perfectly legitimate
You understand that there is differ
ence here. I have known Molly, IN
one sense, much longer than this man
has; yes, and have had a claim upon
her gratitude, something to keep he1
mind fixed upon me, so that she rec
ognized me at sight. Something tells
me this baron and myself will yet
meet face to face as foes"
"If you do, I trust your good angel
will be lowering near to guard and
protect. The baron is an exceedingly
dangerous man. 1 have been watching
him at my leisure here, and learned
enough to tell me that he is unscrupu-
lous and crafty; besides, his Govern
ment has surrounded him with bull
wark of defense. You must not under.
rate this man, my friend, whatever
else you do. He is in the habit of
having his own way with men. I have
seen numbers Of those whom I be-
lieved to be at least ordinarily brave
men bow and smile before him, as
though they actually feared his pow
er."
Bah! That is not in Mynheer Joe's
line at all. I am an American, and
bend my head to no man in obeisance,
with all respect to the crowned heads
of Europe. Let the fight come off.
We shall see who wins"
The baron will, at least, have an ad.
versary in Mynheer Joe who knows
no fear-one who has met danger in
all its guises and wrested victory
from many threatened defeat.
When two such men meet in deadly
array, the result is sure to be inter.
esting-to those who may look on as
spectators.
Mr.. Grimes cautions his friend to
sleep with one eye open after this.
DO you know what I've a notion to
to-" says Joe, deliberately. "Gathe1
up the remains Of this broken vial,
wrap them up securely, and by special
messenger send them to the baron in
the morning, with some such line as
this: First attempt failure. Try
again, dear baron Or perhaps I
might say: If you could only have
seen the chap who carried this plunge
through the window, baron!"
Mynheer Joe is inclined to be face.
tious, but his companion looks further
and sees more clearly.
"That would be imprudent, my
friend" he says.
"Tell me exactly how"
"Well, you unmask your batteries
and let him know that you have dis.
covered his advance. That is what We
call bad policy in a game"
"Ah, yes, begin to see already"
Far better to keep him in ignorance
and then you have the advantage
He may never know that you suspect
him. Let it be set down that some
rascally robbers attempted to get IL
your room and you fired 'em out"
II had an idea, you understand, thai
by letting this man know 1 was Cd
to his game / could hold him respon
sible for the future"
Nonsense! The baron would be re
sponsible for nothing. He's as slip
perry as an eel. Depend upon it, you
can't meet him squarely. But if you
ever get the better of him, it will be
by using his own weapons"
There is sound advice in this, which
Mynheer Joe may profit by. 1t must
not be understood that he is ignorant
Of such characters. He has met all
kinds and conditions Of men during
his years Of travel, and even among
the blacks Of the African wilds been
compelled to overcome strategy with
the same tactics.
After a little more talk, Mr.. Grimes
retires to his room, and Mynheer Joe
throws himself down upon his cot
again. 1t is hardly probable that the
same intruders will attempt anything
more in that line, at least not on thu
night.
ITO be Continued