Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1906-04-19

pecteu 10 DE entertaining III an AMIGA
Bile fashion. But neither interfered
With any questions, Montgomery out
Of logged loyalty to myself and Shop
pard out Of a 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 a 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"
II did" said l.
"a little later l approached you with
q counter proposal. Can't we make
the basis of an agreement still?'
Il think that is quite practicable" l
answered. I'VE might make q basis,
but the question is, Should we keep
to it!"
Sercombe studied his glass. Il un-
derstand YOU he said. Il take you.
But l admit to YOU that things are
changed since then-changed, l will
impress upon You, With YOU as we'll as
with me-
l bowed. The others sat silent, wait
ing with interest what might be forth
coming.
"Once before we tabled our cards.
Mr.. Greatore1,'' said Sercombe. Il
think it would be wise if we We're to
do SO again"
Il understand you to hold all the
trumrs.' said l.
All" said he, that's the rub. l
don't say no. But what l wish to put
to YOU is this: What is it worth to you
if l can lay Your hands on that treas
ure:'
81 think this was the problem l was
confronted With at the Woodman, Cap
tain Sercombe,' l replied.
1T was" said he. And then l put
a price on myself. which was share and
share with Your parry"
| considered his statement. Shrr-
pard's e."es ~telvgru, he, at me across
the table, What IN The world had
brought Us TO THIS pass: 1t was not
Sercomhe's ,uruy repentance. nor was
it a heroic act Of generosity offered
out Of friendliness. No: the split l had
anticipated had come "bou1-the thieves
had fallen out. And | now began to
put Il point on Sercombe's condition
and Sercombe's visit. If this We're SO
and the partners had quarreled, l felt
that we stood to gain a great deal.
81 remember YOU asked a high price"
| said. You rated Your conversion,
let US say, very highly
Il did" he said easily. and l do
now. l ask you, is your case any bet
ter: Indeed, l think it is a 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
side Of judgment day. l am being
frank with YOU"
II thank you for your frankness.' l
answered, land 1 am equally open
with YOU when | remind YOU that if
you make no 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 a compromised"
Il agree" I said. and upon these
terms %only-that you stand in to take
your part-a quarter and no 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 l needed witnesses, here
are you three
The note Of eagerness in his usually
eQuable tones surprised me, and l
know all Of us were agog with excite
ment to learn the meaning Of this Gu
rious piece Of treachery. But as there
could be no doubt now as to our right
to enlightenment, since we were all
committed to a common cause, l u
the question bluntly.
And here I set down the story that
Sercombe had to tell as nearly as NAV
be IN the words in which he told US
mat evening as we sat round the Ia
Bile.