Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-03-24


therefore, what do you say to terms?"
"Terms" echoed. ITO ransom
Hood"
He calculated an oath. "Let the
beast rot" he declared. "Im talking
Of ourselves"
Captain Sercombe" said 1 gently
81 knew Mr.. Hood in this business ere
knew you. and to my idea he was tn
prime mover in the conspiracy. lie
US say that he is gone and what have
we to fear?'
Sercombe looked extremely blan
and l could see that my words haa
struck vital spot.
Hood" he said has done nothing
but blunder. and besides"
But he got no further, breaking of
suddenly and as though with an eff
fort
IF that be So" said l, rising, "let us
see how Captain Sercombe will man
age matters"
Hold hard" he interrupted. "Sit
down awhile, sir. You have sprung
this affair on me. I must take my
counsel. Come, what do you say to go
ing shares?'
l lifted my brows. You are not
serious?" l remarked.
He glanced fultively at Montgom-
cry. II will take one third" he said,
land no questions asked"
MY dear SIR" said l in amazement,
you emharrass me. Your terms are
too liberal from q vanquished foe.
could not accept such generosity. And
now. If you will allow me, as have an
appointment with Mr. Hood shortly, l
must
But this alarmed him, as could per
ceive, for he changed color and put out
a finger to catch my arm.
II will stand in with all Of you" he
cried.
smiled, but before I could reply an
interruption fell In the entrance Of the
police sergeant, Jones, whom we had
met before. He saluted us, and made
an inquiry as to his Investigations
II am on a track, sir" he declared
Il can say no more" And he eyed
Sercombe attentively.
you've not struck those gypsies,
hear" said Sercombe, who had re-
sumed his cigar with an appearance Of
nonchalance.
NO sir"
"They're here today and somewhere
else tomorrow. / hardly expected you
would find them. They nose scent
pretty soon"
"I'm on a track, sir" repeated Jones.
"Glad to hear it," nodded the cap
tain.
went out with the sergeant but
Sercombe called to me.
"What is it?" l asked, standing IN
the doorway.
An anxious look troubled Sercombe's
eye. II have made you proposition,
Mr.. GreatoreX."
"That's true said l gravely, "and
I will ask you captain, to better it.
But excuse me, my time is limited"
You give me short shrift," exclaim-
ID he, with a bitter laugh.
ooh. no." said; "but dare say you
/ will have time to think over it between
now and o'clock. If you can see
your way to a more equitable ADJUST
ment captain, perhaps you would be
good enough to let me know by then?'
At that left him and caught up with
Montgomery, who had gone ahead with
Jones.
Excuse me, SIR" said Jones politely,
"but are you very old friend Of Cap
tain Sercombes?"
"Why, no." said I, II have not known
him long"
"Ah," said he, "an odd gentleman,
sir. Mr.. Hood of the Woodman, he
knows some queer stories about him."
"He says so, does he?" said I.
Jones empharically wagged his head.
every queer" he added. From which it
appeared to me that Mr.. Jones might
not be quite so smart as he seemed,
and also that Mr.. Hood was even
smarter. What his object might have
been in spreading an evil reputation for
Sercombe 1 could not guess, but that
he had an object, and material one,
did not doubt for moment.
Though l had introduced the idea
to Sercombe's notice, and the introduc-
ton had had its effect, had not yet
given shape and substance to my plan
of setting off the one scoundrel against
the other. l foresaw that could inn
prove my own position very substan-
TALLY by this system Of balance, and /
determined to go now fortnight to
Hood on the same errand. He had
failed me in the morning, but perhaps
he would have grown wiser in the
course Of the days Imprisonment.
There is nothing like solitude and the
opportunity Of reflection to bring
man to prudence, and now, too, had
seen Sercombe and had genuine offer
to consider. I came to the conclusion
that, after all, Hood would not prove
obdurate and that the end OF the war
fare was almost in sight.
In some such mood as this 1 made
the journey to the keep, fattering my
self with the success of my diplomacy
and complacently contemplating an
honorable settlement which would rid
us of our troubles, Danish these wretch
ed intruders and leave us to the COM
Portable enjoyment Of our share IN the
treasure of the Vyvians
Hv,v-- 49, ~ To- k1rS