The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1903-01-29

! voice was further puzzled He did
not lock ike one of ny set
/ 'N' hat kind OF Il truce Go you want?"
he asked You see have you covered
with my revolver and could kill you in
nn instant
/ 'But you fail to notice mine.'' ! an,
swered. Il very slight pressure of the
! trigger would send a bullet through
your heart
! thought he turned a trifle paler. but
| his voice was steady and unGuavering
.! admit that and accept the situa.
ton. But tell me what terms you pro.
/ pose for your truce
Simply these: We should go into
partnership at least for tonight | have
had as much trouble in getting into the
house as you. and have run just as
much risk. but you got ahead of me
and made a complete job. admire
the way you have done the work
Even ! couldn't do it better, and don't
think yon belong to the class r.
Never mind that" he interrupted
impatienty. Stick to your terms and
be quick"
We'll. to come straight to the point,
added. Il little nettled at his abrupt
ways. Il propose that we divide the
plunder you have collected For your
extra trouble you take two-thirds and
one-third Is that fair?"
He remained silent moment and
then said:
''lf agree TO such Il bargain. moth
| ing further will ever be said of to-
nights work."
Not 4 word
"And you Will never recognize me
II you should happen to meet me on
the street or anywhere else?"
| did not like this part OF the bargain.
for | believe that every one should be
placed On the same level in such bust
ness and that one man should not set
! himself up to being better than an
other, but finally assented, with the
exception of one Slight qualification:
Not unless we happen to meet under
similar circumstances again. Then
might recall TO you this meeting"
u don't think that is likely to occur, -
he replied firmly.
Then il a firm. measured voice he
added:
We'll, III trust you. | viii give you
one-third of all have collected be
lieve thar YOU will keep your part OF
the agreement if keep mine'
4 There was honesty written in bis
face, and would have trusted him tc
the extent of pockoting my revolver
but again he got ahead of me. | stood
there covering him with my weapon
half Il minute after he had put his
pistol in his pocket. y temptation te
make him give everything to me under
penalty OF death seized me for an i'll
stant when realized that he had
placed himself III my power. But that
same rich, musical voice suddenly re
called me to my bargain.
Here, take this bag outside with
you, and we will divide the thin.
where there is less chance of detec
ton"
Have you been all over the house?'
asked in Il little confusion.
Yes. all over. There is nothing
worth taking left"
He moved toward the door and start
ed to open it. He turned an instant
and asked:
How did you come in?"
Through cellar window" replied
"a clumsy way when you could have
entered by the front door,
"Do you mean to say began.
"S-s-s-h. don't speak now. I'm open
ing the door. Follow me-"
never felt the power of man sc
strangely before. | attributed it to TIE
fact that was in the presence OF 8
master who put my feeble accomplish
ments entirely into the background
and vet | had prided myself upon my
SuccesseSi
We wai!ied stealthily down the stairs
and out c: the front door to the lawn
He carried a pack larger than mine
When we reached the shelter OF q
clump OF trees. we both stopped.
''It is getting late. and it will be light
soon" my strange companion said
I'VE must make our division quickly. >
In the same quick, masterful and, il
| II. iIoliSSl WY Il QiS lSiUIl
of the spoils, giving me more than one.
third.
Now, if you are satisfied, we will
part" he said. ''l think we have nc
further need of each other"
made motion as ii to follow him
but he waved me back, saying:
Good night | must be going"
He turned and walked rapidly
through the gloom. leaving me stand
ing there as nonplused as any man
engaged in such hazardous business
as mine could ever afford to be-
CHAPTER II.