The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1906-04-09

You may easily imagine the amaze
ment with which my two companions
received this strange visitant. He WAS
certainly the last person we had ex-
pected to be entertaining in an AMIGA
Die fashion. But neither interfered
with any questions, Montgomery out
OF logged loyalty to myself and Shep-
pard out of reasoning intelligence.
Sercombe looked out Oh life with his
own eyes once more, but yet he show
ed certain signs of discomposure, more
particularly in the way in which he
hurried through his food.
I'm mighty empty" he explained.
1--WE had long tramp" But he ven
tured no further communication on
that subject at the time Presently,
however, he put down his knife and
fork and broke out Unexpectedly.
Mr.. Greatorex, in the Swan some
time ago you made me proposal"
81 did" said l.
"a little later / approached you with
counter proposal. Can't we make
Il think that is quite practicable"
answered I'VE might make Il basis,
but the question is, Should we keep
TO it,
;Sercombe studied his glass. Il I'M
Gerstand YOU" he said Il take you.
But | admit to you that things are
changed since then-changed, | will
impress upon you, with you as well as
with me"
bowed. The others sat silent, wait
;,s with interest what might be forth
coming.
once before we tabled our cards,
Mr.. Greatorex," said Sercombe. Il
ihink it would be wise if we were to
10 SO again"
Il understand you to hold all the
trumps," said |.
All" said he, that's the rub. l
dent say no. But what | wish to put
to YOU is this: What is it worth TO you
If can lay your hands on that treas
ure:''
Il think this was the problem | was
confronted with at the Woodman, Cap
tam Sercombe'' replied.
1t was" said he. And then put
A price on myself, which was share anu
share with your party
| considered his statement. Shep-
pard's eyes telegraphed at me across
the table What in the world had
brought us to this pass: 1t was not
Sercombe's tardy repentance. nor was
it Il heroic act of generosity offered
out of friendliness. No; the split | had
anticipated had come about-the thieves
had fallen out. And | now began to
put a point on Sercombe's condition
and .the partners had quarreled, | felt
that we stood to gain great deal
Il remember you asked high price"
said. You rated Your conversion,
let us say. very highly
Il did," lie said easily, "and l do
now. ask you. is Your case any bet
ter? Indeed, | think it is good deal
worse and you know wei enough that
If YOU make no terms with me you will
not see Il gold piece Of that hoard this
side of judgment day. am being
frank with YOU"
Il thank you for your frankness,' |
answered. and l am equally open
WIKI you when l remind you that if
YOU make 10 terms with us you have as
little chance of that same hoard as our
selves
VERY well, sir" he said cheerily.
Then isn't it obvious to you that we
should find Il COMPROMISED
Il agree" | said. and upon these
terms only-that YOU stand in TO take
your part-a quarter and no more
He struck out his hand as if he were
presenting Il pistol.
Done" he said, and there was a
note of satisfaction in his voice. And.
gentlemen. if needed witnesses, here
are you three"
The note of eagerness in his usually
equable tones surprised me. and |
know all of us We're agog with excite
ment to learn the meaning of this GU
rious piece of treachery. But as there
could be no doubt now as to our right
to enlightenment, since we were all
committed to common cause, | put
the question bluntly.
And here | set down the story that
Sercombe had to tell as nearly as may
be in the words in which he told us
that evening as we sat round the ia
bic.
NO pI,