Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1906-02-22

facts took away his breath and in
spired him apparently more with a de-
sire for bloodshed than for the treasure
itself.
II can tell you this, Mr.. Sheppard,
that If 1 sight either Of the scoundrels
within shooting range I'll empty both
barrels into them on the of chance.
And Of that I'll give EN- warning"
"Bravo" said Sheppard, slapping
him on the back and smiling his pleas
ant smile. You're the man for my
money, old cock"
"And now" l resumed, I'VE are
brought front to front with affairs.
We have half the paper. How are we
to get possession Of the other?"
ut is plain enough" said Sheppard,
that n Of those fellows, Sercombe
OF Hood, has it-Hood for choice, and
a pretty scoundrel he must be, from all
you say Of him. You must introduce
me to your friend Hood. 1 have a
fancy for Hood"
AS it fell out he had an earlier chance
Of the acquaintance than either of us
anticipated. Shortly after breakfast
on the following morning the maid
brought me word that Captain Ser
combe was in the library and begged
to see me.
Here is a pretty piece Of impu-
dence," said Sheppard, smiling. Con
found the man, but l like him! BY
all means let us have him up"
he looked at me. Not at ALL" said
I, "but since there lis nothing to steal
in the library say some hundreds of
musty volumes, let him wait upon our
pleasure"
"And my toe" growled Montgomery,
assuming a ferocious expression.
mo, no, my dear lad," said Shep-
pard, with his gentle and insinuating
smile. you are too forward, too pre-
cocious in your arguments. Let us bag
the captain, whom, 1 confess, I am
dying to see we'll basted, but let it be
by more diplomatic processes"
Every we'll, come on" said I, rising,
for, to say the truth, l was curious to
know the mans business with me. We
descended in file into the library. Ser
oA1O "AO "dS oldlluS OuI O1 uo
window and curling his mustach" with
an air Of abstraction, turned rapidly
and, putting his heels together, gave me
a military bow.
"Ah, here is my young friend of the
claret!' he exclaimed lightly, nodding
briefly to Montgomery, who fixed a
stolid and somewhat glowering glance
upon him. Then his eye fell on Shep-
pard, whom he observed with dispas-
sionate curiosity.
II was in hopes to have met YOU
alone, Mr.. G%reatorex,'' with a little
hesitation showing in his voice.
"These are my friends said I, from
whom l have no secrets.''
"Allow me to introduce myself" said
Sheppard politely, stepping forward,
since Mr.. Greatorex has overlooked
the formality. Reginald Sheppard.
Captain Sercombe-a gentleman, as l
hope, but of no occupation and a vast
deal of ambition, who is proud to make
the acquaintance Of so notorious a free
companion as YOURSELF
Sercombe stared. somewhat discom-
posed by this deliveraace. but. recover
ing himself, smiled genially. The
pride, sir, is OH my side to encounter so
pleasant a gentleman" Then he looked
at Inc. II take it, Mr.. Greatorex. that
l may state my business here"
by all MEANS" 1 answered CURLY,
and the sooner the better"
"To be brief. Mr.. Greatorex," he said.
"J In y,a r0Yna tn cfp;1.a n ,,. =,
you. will confess that SO far you
have outmaneuvered us. will go so
far as to say that 1 thought l had YOU
cornered yesterday. Yesterday morn
ing l would not have put 2 crowns I'D
on your appearance in the race But
you have sharp eyes, sir, and YOU are
q sharper man than l had reckoned
But, upon the other hand, where do
you stand? 1 ask you to consider that
And what price do you put on your
chances? You have, l should guess.
about as much chance to Law yonr
hands on what you want as I have. Ia
that soT'
II am not here to discuss my chances
with you, but to listen to you. sir"
said 1. what have you to say"
He made a slight grinlace. deliver
ing it instlnctively to Sheppard and
went on: We'll, 1 suppose What Won
have to say will Aeep. Wat l have
won't, IL we are either OF us 10 got any
further. We stand upon equal terms
now, Mr.. G%reatorex, rs you vii! sec.
but those terms are impracticablc. You
have only one half Of Il secret, and wa
have the other. and 1t will take q cloy-
erer man than you to find our half. as
I make no doubt you also have YOURS
in pretty safe hiding. don't rccion to
hunt London for a piece OF ape But
this brings me to my point. Let us
show our hands. Let me see what Won
have in yours. and l give you the word
Of n gentleman you shall see al mine"
He paused and Intercepted me a mo-
ment silently.
"Sfnce the captain gives his word as
a gentleman" out In S%hcpnard's suave