The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-12-08

made 60. it's not my fault. / should have
kept straight enough II 1 had been fairl,
treated. But when you've been robbed o,
all you have. you don't care much wha,
you do"
You're the man for me-" said Markham
warmly. 1T Isn't everybody I'd trust IN
such a matter. What do you say to-rob.
bling the mail?"
Godfrey recoiled. He had hardly meant
his words to be taken SO literally. and
though his moral nature was too weak to
thrive in the rather trying atmosphere OF
the damon Fields. he was not quite pre-
pared to throw all his principles overheard.
Markham saw the movement and hast
sned on. You've been robbed yourself: why
shouldn't you rob somebody else and get
II backf' he whispered eagerly. 'Glucks-
TEN and Levy are wealthy men and can af-
ford to lose the money better than you.
II We are careful there 10 very little risk.
Besides. what else can you do? I don't think
you'd be much good at hard work, and I
suppose you don't wan to starve."
TIL tell you how We can do it." he con-
tinued. without waiting for a reply. The
mall leaves here soon after dusk Tonight,
and We must stop 1t half a dozen miles out,
beyond Auret's farm. It is quiet and. lonely
enough there. By that time It will be quito
dark. and We are not likely to be disturbed
by any chance travellers"
But are you quite certain the diamonds
Will be in the cart?' asked Godfrey in a
hesitating manner. He was beginning to
think that he had a right to get his money
back from some one.
I was in the post office this morning
when Gluckstein came in. and 1 saw him
hand over a little canvas bag to go by to-
nights mail. He didn't make any secret
OF 1t. and everybody knows they've been in
luck's way lately. We might make a haul
OF two or three thousand pounds and como
back here and make our fortunes"
Godfrey's eyes glistened. But the
dangerr" he murmured.
Markham's lip curled. IF you'll listen to
me you will see there Is very little.'' he
said. I'VE shall choose a narrow bit Of
road and stretch a string across 1t a few feet
from the ground. fastened to two stakes.
1t Will be too dark to see the string. and
the horses will catch their feet in It and
come to the ground. There will be only two
men In the cart, a Kafir driver. and a
white man IN charge o. the mails. and as
will almost certainly be thrown out and
probably stunned. We shall have little to
fear from them. Even supposing they re-
ceive no harm. We shall be more thar .
match for them, for We shall be prepared
and they will not"
do you mean to commit-murder? p |
asked Godfrey with a white face
Il do not think it will be necessary" coolly. |
"Of course. We shall nave our revolver
y onAry h,tS n hro-r -o- H. h.-A - - I
quiet a troublesome customer will be Ill |
Will be required. I should imagine.
Then We have only to open the post pag.
the diamonds. and make good our
escape before they have time to come round.
II We are lucky and they are stunned by
the fall, we shall avoid recognition. and can
return here the same night-the quicker the
better. I know an I. D. B. dilicit diamond ,
who will relieve us of the stones.
II, on the contrary. We are seen. We shall
have to go Into hiding for a time"
And If We are caught?"
ut will be the Breakwater in Cape Town
md board and lodging provided at our coun-
rvs expense But 1 don't mean to be
VERY WE'LL" Godfrey said at last, unable
o resist the bait. I'm your man." and he
leld out his hand.
The other gripped It hard. That's right.
now We had better part. Meet me in
n hours time outside the camp. and don't
axe any more liquor; you've had quite
nough already. I'll bring all that is need
III with me" And he went way.
When half an hour had elapsed Godfrey
ose slowly up and stood hesitating a mo-
nent at the entrance of the bar. then he
rent in He must have something to put a
title heart into him. He felt nervous and
Instrung. Now, the time to act was close
I hand, he was assailed by a hundred fears
nd scruples and II he could have backed
ut OF the bargain he would probably have
one SO; but he was too much afraid of
He emptied his g'ass and felt a
tile better. but he knew mis- courage would
equi-e constant support to keep it Up to
mark, and he took a bottle OF whisky ;
way with him in his coat pocket. very J
lightly diluted with water. When he met ,
outside the camp. he was already
a state of standardization. but it passed
nnoticed by his companion. who had
lenty to think about. ]
When they had gone some distance and {
mere was no habitation nor human crea- {
ne IA SsSfts s2dih Mai SeulehiS StotO SUN. .
rough road had been worn in the veldt :
y the traffic to the Fields. and he pointed i
a little curve where the track had mar
WED. That is just the place." he said. t
We can hide behind those thorn bushes" I
two strong stakes from a bag he =
ad brough with him ne drove them well :
to the earth on either side of the road. Il
Id tied a thick string across securely in I
1tches he had made IN the wood. about !
30 feet from the ground. where it would 4
most certainly trip up the feet of one :,
both Of the two horses. BY the time q
'erything had been made ready. 1t was S
lite dark. and the post cart might be ex- b
in about half an hour. p
This was the most trying time Of all. Cod =
ey lay and shivered under the thorn =
Ish a little way Of the road. fortifying h
mself from time to time with liberal doses
ON his whisky bottle, while Markham, ab- c
In his own thoughts. gave him no o
but paced restlessiy up and down. 8
opping now and again TO listen intently !.
esently he caught the sound of the quick, :,
ythmic fall Of horses hoofs coming from n,
g direction Of the Fields. and he turned a
rouse his companion. C.
'They's comingr" he whispered excitedly. n
let ready" 81
it was too late Tho whisky bottle y
= empty at Godfrey's side, and Godfrey :
only looked up q moment, muttered
distinctly, and sank back again into his
unken stupor. Markham cursed him h
vagely. but neither blows nor entreaties 81
re OF any avail; the man was too help II