Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1906-03-29
The Adventures
-
By q. 3.
MARRIOTT WATSON
cosyighs. 1898. BY Harper q: 6rsthsn

fairly turned myt stomach. Through
the gallery lay the one road to the
treasure, and Hood and I were the
only two people in the drama who
knew that. Ny seizure meant, then,
that the way was now clear for him
and his enterprise. The treasure Of the
Vyvians was at his mercy.
In these desperate considerations
spun out the better part of an hour, at
the end of which time the key creaked
suddenly in the door, and Sercombe en-
tered, bearing a heavy lamp. This he
set down upon the rude bench table
and turned to me, seating himself in a
chair and disposing himself with COM
fort
81 regret, Mr. Greatorex," said he
Euavely and pulling at his cigar, with
his hat on the back of his head, II re-
greet that 1 am somewhat late to my
appointment with you. 1t was to have
been 8 O'Clock, l fancy"
Now I recalled what, to say the
truth, / had completely forgotten in
the adventure which had experienced
that had myself named such an
hour to receive the capitulation of the
captain. 1t maddened me to remember
the fact and my triumphant diplomacy
of the afternoon in the face of my dis
NAL failure and this bland and sprawl
ing creature. But was not to take
rebuff with my ears down, and so /
spoke up as calmly and as politely as
himself.
"You are right" said I. mine
O'Clock it was. But, like you, have
been unaVoidably delayed. So please
don't apologize"
A smile lit up his face-and he was
always best when he smiled and his
eyes twinkled
Il begin to see, Mr.. Greatorex," he
said, chow it is that you have come SO
near winning this campaign"
Il have no doubt shall win it yet"
/ returned.
mo doubt" he replied cordially. sBut
forgive me, Mr.. Greatorex. 1 see you
have no refreshments here, and am
sure you are in need of them. 1t was
objectionable of Hood" So saying, he
rose and went to the door, shouting
some order to man below, whom,
judged, I must consider my sentry.
Presently, and before the captain re-
sumed his seat, Hood himself entered,
bearing In his hands tray containing
a bottle of whisky, carafe Of water
and some glasses. He cast an eye of
scrutiny on Sercombe, who lolled once
more in his chair, but he said nothing
and retired to the door. Sereombe
filed two glasses.
ssAllow me, Mr.. Greatorex," he said
and pulled for some minutes in silence.
Indeed, it was / who first resumed the
conversation.
IT presume, Captain Sercombe," I
said, ''that you have come to tell me
that you do not accept my offer"
precisely" he owned, taking his CT
gar from his mouth. ssThat is ex
actly the position, Mr.. Greatorex.
don't know how you guessed it, but.
there it is. 1 do not feel justified, in
consideration of my relations with
Mr.. Hood, in accepting your proposals"
Then l said bluf1y, but keeping up
the farce, 81 see no reason for our con-
tinuing this interview, and, as am
somewhat tired, if you will excuse
me-
II would not trespass upon you in
the slightest" he interrupted. But
had an idea that perhaps we might ar
rive at a compromise" I said moth
Ing, for / had not the faintest notion
Abf what he was driving at.
sYou are aware" he continued in his
pleasant voice, that there is an access
to the dungeon in which, justifably or
otherwise-I express no opinion-you
confined our host"
bowed and slipped my whisky and
water.
"You are also aware" he went on,
'sthat now you, the only other person
who has knowledge of that private
road, are, let us say, enjoying the hos
pitality of the Woodman, the treasure
chests are not likely to remain long
where they are"
He waited on my answer as If some
thing anxious, but / merely nodded
and watched him. Captain Sercembe
from his comfortable attitude bent his
red brows at me. MAY I ask you,
Mr.. Greatorex," he said quite coolly,
''if you happen to have locked the door
of the dungeon?"
For answer and without giving the
matter a thought / produced the key,
which, as / have already narrated,
had put in my pocket.
Sercombe's eye lightened. He rose
and went to the door, opening it and
glancing into the darkness. Then he
returned and drew his chair nearer to
mine
..You made me proposition this
afternoon" he said earnestly.
81 did, said I, (which I now beg to
retract.'
ut was not good enough" he went
on, paying no attention to my sarcasm
mot nearly good enough. But what
do you saw If / make one to you now z"