Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-01-12
CHAPTER TX.
IN SEARCH OF THE QUARREL.

IN SEARCH OF THE QUARREL.
AS Law turned away from the door
OF the Knollys mansion, he walked
with head bent forward, not looking
upon the one hand or the other. He
raised his eyes only when passing
horseman had called thrice to him.
What" cried Sir Arthur Pembroke.
Il little looked to see you here, Mr.,
Law. thought it more likely you
were engaged in other business"
Meaning by that"
What should mean, except that l
supposed you preparing for your little
affair with Wilson,"
MY little AFFAIR."
Certainly, with Wilson, as said. 1
saw our friend Castleton but now, and
he advised me of your promptness. He
had searched for you for days, he be-
ing chosen by Wilson for his friend
and said he had at last found you in
your lodgings. Egad! 1 have mistook
your kidney completely. Never in
London was duel brought on so swifs.
Fight? This afternoon!' said you.
Jove! but the young bloods laughed
when they heard of it. Bloody Scot
land is what they have christened you
at the Green Lion. He said to me-
said Charlie, that he was slow to find
quarrel, but since this quarrel was
brought home to him, 'twere meet
'twere soon finished. He thought,
forsooth, that four o'clock of the aft
ernoon were late enough Cad! But
you might have given Wilson time at
least for one more dinner"
What do you mean?" exclaimed
Law, mystified still.
Mean! Why, mean that I've been
securing, London to find you. My
faith, man, but thou'rt sudden ac-
tor! Where caught you this unseem-
ly haste?"
|. Sir Arthur" said the other, slowly,
you do me too much justice. l have
made no arrangement to meet Mr.. Will
son, nor have any wish to do So"
"Pish, man! You must not jest with
me in such case as this. IT'S no
masquerading. Let me tell you, Will
son has vicious sword, and temper
no less vicious. You have touched him
on his very sorest spot. He has gone
to meet you this very hour. His coach
will be at Bloomsbury square this
afternoon, and there he will await
you. l promise you he is eager as
yourself. IT'S too late now to accom-
| modate this matter, even had you not
sent back so prompt and bold an an
swer.'
II have sent him no answer at ALI"
cried Law. II have not seen Castleton
at all"
"Oh, comet" eXpostulated Sir Ar
thur, his face showing flush of an
noyance.
'Sir Arthur" continued Law, as he
raised his head, Il am of the misfor-
tune to be but young in London, and
am in need of your friendship. I
find myself pressed for rapid transpor-
tation. Pray you, give me your mount.
for must have speed. shall not need
the service of your seconding. In
dulge me now by asking no more, and
| wait until we meet again. Give me
the horse, and quickly"
But you must be seconded" cried
the other. This is too unusual. Con.
sider" Yet all the time he was CIV
ing hand at the stirrup of Law, who
| sprang up and was off before he had
time to formulate his own wonder.
who and what is he?" muttered the
young nobleman to himself as he gazed
after the retreating form. 'He rides
| we'll, at least, as he does everything
else well. Till return forsooth, till
| return!' Cad! half wish you had
| never come in the first place, my
Bloody Scotland!"
AS for Law, he rode swiftly, asking
at times his way, losing time here,
gaining it again there, creating much
hatred among foot folk by his tenn
pestuous speed, but giving little heed
to aught save his own purpose. In
time he reached Bradwell street and
flung himself from his painting horse
in front Of the dingy door Of the lodg-
ing house. He rushed up the stairs at
speed and threw open the door of the
little room. 1t was empty.
There was no word to show what
his brother had done, whittier he had
| gone, when he would return.
I