Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1906-01-25

was of stronger and bigger Dulld II

he. But apparently nothing of the sort was in his mind. It was merely the deference due to my position which he proclaimed in that attention. That mask of the trained servant concealed his individuality now as ever. Never once had seen the veil lifted and the real man exposed and naked to the light of day.
 .IIood.' said I. almost with a sigh of despair at his imperturbahle calm. "do you want to stay here indcfnitely:'
 "Certainly not, sir: by your leave sir he answered promptly
 Then upon what terms shall I otfes you release:" His eyes dropped, an.i there was silence. ''Remaml;er." s;titi l. that no one outside ourselves iS aware of your existence here. You may be hidden here til the day Of judgment and none be the wiser. anu even then your bones will scarcely see the light of day. What do you pro pose:'
 Hood shifted his gaze to my face. "Anything that's convenient to you, sir. I'd rather leave it to you sir
 
 cry out With some emotion, but wheth- CT this was ;l$stoniShient. anger CT q mere sense of the ridiculous, or wheth- er it was q combination of all three l could not have said. 1 rose from E4y seat. controlling Thy voice with diff culty.
 "Nery we'll Hood," said. Tt sha!l I.f, 1nft ff with that stiiked out of the dungeon and locked the door.
 It Was impossible to transact busi ness with such man. I felt the need of reciprocity. whereas dealing With Hood reminded me of nothing so much as of digging at piece of rubber that will fly gently back when the pressure is removed. And so it must be with Sercombe that should arrange the de tails of compromise. or at least the terms of a truce if not of permanent peace.
 Sercombe was absent from the inn. but learned that he was in Raymond and, taking our horses, Montgomery and I rode across to the little town ill
  ran upon the captain himself in High street and as we were making for the Swan to put up our nags. He welcom- cd Us cheeriy and, mopping his red forehead (for the day was very sultry,, invited us to drink with him.
 Just stepping across to the Swan said he. "Come along and put up your 1 r.
 accepted with nod, and presently we were seated in the commercial! room by the window that looked out upon the courtyard, slipping cooling draft
 II prefer" says the captain hospita- bly,. "to drink in company rather than alone. And that's the distinction be- tween thinker and a drunkard. Mas ter Montgomery. Take it from me. With which he threw back his heal and took long pull at his glass. 'l have not felt so warm since 1 was il Abyssinia," he remarked
 "Ah.' said l. you are right, captain Hot is the word I'm sure from my heart l envy Hood.''
 Sercombe pricked up his ears, re garaing me inquisitively.
 Yes" l went on, leaning back in my chair; "cool. damp floors, cold stone walls and neither the sun nor the moon 10 smlte hinl-that,s my notion of com fort this weathcr.'
 Sercombe paused in the act of drink ing and put down his glass. What ,@1>,. asked ill a puzzled way.
 'Tis no colundrum," 1 replied aiIi ly. By the way, where did you say your friend Hood was:"
 lie looked at me under his red eye brows. "Mf IIood," he said "is OF business of his own He is q gentle man at large but he has affairs
 No doubt. no doubt l remarked amiably. This is an excellent cool ing drink, captain
 Sercombe putfed at his cigar. con tjnung to study our faces Upon Mont gomeyy's, l dare say, he perceived q smile of triumph. for he suddenly put down his cigar and folded his hands on his head.
 l l0IGs Nc Vt SOl tO Colllt iO tl understanding, Mir. Greatorex," he said slowly. "I m slow of wit. no doubt but l begin to see daylight. But will call on you to observe that l am not responsible for Mir Hood's move ments."
 Il have never imagined so." I an swered. "On the contrary
 A frown. rather than scowl. cross ed his face. Has it ever fallen to you Mir Greatorex. to be tied in q leash; to be But l reckon as bar rister you are not particular about your cases You have messed up with many dirty attorney"
 You felicitate me too much" said I. with bow. II am unfortunate enough never to have had a brief
 "Ah"' said the captain and was for a moment silent. You have Hood?" he asked.
 The mans intelligence was quick; his