The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-05-15

not be as steady as could be desired
after his hot engagement with the
foils, and Mr.. Grimes feels an admira-
| ton for the man coupled with his
| aversion when he sees him send shot
after shot with astonishing accuracy,
the various swinging targets being
struck almost with every discharge Of
the revolver.
"a dangerous combination Of a
man to be at large, capable Of doing a
tremendous amount of mischief in the
world, and the sooner he turns up his
toes under the sod the better for hu-
manity," is the mental comment Of
Mr.. Grimes.
He meets the baron at the bar Of the
gallery in a friendly spirit, and wish
ing to see more Of his pistol practice
soon banters him into q little wager.
Mr.. Grimes has always prided himself
on his craftsmanship, but he has a
Door show beside this man Of the
quick eye and steady hand.
His main object Is to discover
whether the baron has any weak
point about his craftsmanship, so tina
he can turn 1t to good account. Even
in this a fair measure Of success falls
to his share, enough to pay him for
his trouble. At fifteen and twenty
five PAGES the Russian duellist is al
most a dead shot, but strange to say
the American beats him at twenty
PAGES. 1t would be hard to under
stand Just why this is so, and to make
sure of it Mr.. Grimes is not content
with the one trial, but goes through it
all again.
The result Is the same.
That settles it. If there is to be an
exchange Of shots between the rivals
it must be at twenty PAGES. He feels
that he is doing only what is right IN
learning these facts. Doubtless this
man without a conscience has in
times past spitted more than one un.
lucky devil on his sword, who proved
to be a boor at the duello, and against
whom he had a grudge. He deserves
neither sympathy nor pity, and such
a man asks nothing Of the world.
Perhaps the baron has already sized
up the other, and remembers that he
saw him with the man he plots to de-
stroy. That does not appear to dis.
turb him very much; indeed, he may
even take a savage satisfaction in
showing the American how he will
make crows meat of his friend when
the time comes.
Mr.. Grimes has seen enough.
At his first opportunity he must
warn Joe, so that the other may not
stumble into the pit which the baron
would dig for him, at least without a
knowledge of the consequences.
After leaving the gymnasium where
the stalwart British officers spend an
hour or so every day he looks around
| for the explorer, but can see nothing
of him. Molly and her distinguished
father are also among the missing.
Presently he runs across some one he
knows.
"Ah! there, Sandy, my boy, where
away?" he calls out, whereat the
bustling little correspondent brought
in a heap consents to halt briefly.
"Off to wire for passage on the bi
monthly steamer for India. Touches
at Alexandria, you know, and then di
rect to Port Said for the Canal"
| when is it due?"
"The Alhambra arrives on Satur-
day."
Secure passage for me, but hold
on; perhaps you'd better wait and see.
understand Tanner and his daughter,
together with Mynheer Joe, are head
ing in that direction. If we all 60 on
one steamer it will make q jolly
party"
| Sandy strikes an attitude.
BLESS you, that's a fact. I'll wait
until we have little consultation, and
abide by the result. By the way, the
baron goes on her"
II supposed as much. How did you
find that out, Sandy, my boy? queries
the other.
II heard him give orders this morn
ing. Several parties accompany him"
"Who took the order?"
"The fellow looking like Hindoo."
| Mr.. Grimes smiles.
II wish you had noticed that fellow
closely, Sandy" he remarks, quietly.
"Well, now, that's just what I did.
You see he had lordly air yesterday.
as though he owned the whole of
Egypt, while this morning he limped
painfully, had a bruise on his fore
head, and his left arm was tied up in
a great ball of cotton, while his face
had a look as though intense pain and
devilish fury were fighting for the
mastery"
At this Mr.. Grimes no longer smiles.
He chuckleS.
ITO be Continued