Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-01-18

cannot think how you escaped them"
 What! Are you, too, in disgrace?' laughed Sercombe in his old fashion; then, more quietly: T tell you, I'm not afraid of the police. What have I done? I defy them to pin suspicion on me. know to whom owe this, and make no bones about it. don't forget. l might have seen 1t coming perhaps l did-but that didn't trouble me-
 Il should be wiser, Captain Ser combe, if I knew where this led" said I.
 He pondered, eying me. Sir, will tell you presently. If TmayshaTe that food you spoke of think shall be in better way to talk with you. "4A-~
 At that moment the gong sounded in the hall. ..vss ...,,:.. ,..s ..+.
 You have your answer,' I replied. ''We are just going to dine, and I hope you will give us the pleasure of your company" ~&& : : &- 7.
 You may easily imagine the amaze ment with which mystwo companions received this strange yisitant He was certainly the last person we had ex- pected to be entertaining in an amica- ble fashion. But neither interfered with any questions, Montgomery out of dogged loyalty to myself and Shep- pard out of reasoning intelligence Sercombe looked out on 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. i've 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 a proposal"
 T did," said I.
 "A little later approached you with a counter proposal. Can't we make the basis of an agreement still?"
 T think, that is quite practicable" answered. We might make a basis, but the question is, Should we keep to it?'
 Sercombe studied his glass. q un- derstand you," he said. q take you. But I admit to you that things are changed since then-changed, I will impress upon you, with you as well as with me-"
 I bowed. The others sat silent, wait ing with interest what might be forth coming .s
 "Once before we tabled our cards, MT. Greatorex," said Sercombe. T think it would be wise if we were to do so again"
 "I understand you to hold all the trumps," said I.
 "Ah," said he, that's the rub. don't say no. But what I wish to put to you is this: What is it worth to you if can lay your hands on that treas ure?'
 'I think this was the problem I was confronted with at the elWoodmaH, Cap tain Sercombe," I replied. ss .ae .s
 Tt was" said he. And then 1 put a price on myself. which was share and share with your party" I considered his statement. Shep- pard's eyes telegraphed at me across the table. What in the world had brought us to this pass? It was not Sercombe's tardy repentance, nor was Ii a heroic act of generosity offered out of friendliness. No; the split had anticipated had come about-the thieves had fallen out And I now began to put a point on Sercombe's condition and Sercombe's visit. If this were so and the partners had quarreled, felt that we stood to gain great deal
 "I remember you asked a high price I said. You rated your conversion. let us say. very highly"
 II did he said easily. and I do now. I ask you, is your case any bet ter? Indeed, I think it is good deal worse. and you know we'll enough that if you make no terms with me you will not see a gold piece of that hoard this i side of judgment day. I am being frank with you
 T thank you for your frankness," answered. and l am equally open with you when I remind you that if you make DO 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 comprOmiseT'
 T agree 1 said. ''and upon these terms ORly-that you. stand in tO take your part-a quarter and DO more"
 He struck out his hand as if he were presenting a pistol
 Done he said. and there was a note of satisfaction in his voice And. gentlemen. if I needed witnesses. here are you three
 The note of eagerness in his usually equal bIa tones surprised ne. and know aIl of uS were agOg with excite nent 10 learn the meaning of this ctI- -ioJls piece Of treachery. But as there rould be TO doubt now as to our night To enlightenment. since we were all tD a common cause. I put inc question bluntly.
 And here I set down the story that SercOInbe had tS tell ss nelrly as may 1e in the words fn uhieh he tod us hat evenins as we sst rggBd the ta- ,le.
 CHAPTER XX-