Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1906-02-22


this moment You will perceive, Mr..
Greatorex," be said abruptly, but with
a sudden suavity Of voice, that, as
You have just pronounced, we have
concluded our friendly dinner, and it
is to business that we turn. ! take it,
therefore, that we are no longer here
in the capacity Of hosts and guests
True" said l.
Then he exclaimed triumphantly
Hood, / take it, is no longer a serv-
ant?'
captain Sercombe is right said
Sheppard promptly, turning to me,
"and, by your leave, Ned, viii ring
and have him up"
II accept your theory" / anawered
ssLet us have him up, certainly"
Sheppard rose and when the man
returned ushered him with some cere-
mony to the table. "a chair for Mr..
Hood he said. Where will you sit.
Mr.. Hood by the captain? That's
right. Please make yourself comforta-
BILE. we have just enjoyed an excellent
dinner very well served, Mr.. Hood, but
/ fear you are too late. Montgomery.
a glass Of wine for Mr. Hood. Bust
ness is business, and never conduct
a piece without the usual sherry"
If this elaborate irony disturbed Ser
combe, as It seemed to do, it had no
effect upon Hood.
THANK you, sir. | will stand, sir.
No wine, thank you, sir" Such was
~ s,f
He assumed place at the back of
the captain, commanding view of the
table. Sercombe spread his hands up
on the table.
Gentlemen, let US show our cards."
he said.
There was momentary silence, and
then / was conscious of slight bus
tie of excitement that stirred the room
into sound Sheppard looked at me,
and Montgomery's gaze was riveted
upon the captain. Sheppard coughed
gently and slipped his wine.
"That is very proper demand, Cap
tain Sercombe," said, seeing that it
is what we are here for, but hardly
yet see my way clear to table all my
tricks. Let us understand one another
better"
The captain did not color, as he
might well have colored under this i'm
plicit distrust. AS / have said, he was
singular in the partial hold he kept
upon his gentility. Instead he laughed,
but somewhat awkwardly.
II see," he answered and looked
down at his hands, appearing to con-
slider. He lifted big and somewhat
clumsy hand and scratched his swoll-
en- cheek, smoothing a long wisp Of red
hair across his naked crown. Il can
not pretend to misund erstand you," he
declared at last and shot a glance
aside at Hood, who had fallen slightly
away from the table and stood in
tently watching the scene. But /
think it is somewhat unnecessary, Mr..
Greatorex,'' he said, again very awk-
wardly, and he laughed shortly, and
again his eyes flew to Hood, directing
at him, as it seemed to me in that
light, a glance of warning, of appeal,
even of fear.
mo doubt" said I in return, 'but
you must remember that I have al
ready had experience of your posi-
bilities. But come; we shall get no
further unless we can strike a compro-
mise. If you will produce your frag
-ment of the document
you assume that have it, he broke
in, with his discordant laugh. aYou
are taking a good deal for granted
81 assume nothing. said I. do not
let us handy words
Sercombe lifted the decanter which
stood at his elbow and filed his glass
with 4 hand that shook He drained
it at draft and turned to Hood. The
innkeeper glided to his chair, and
something passed from hand to hand.
Sercombe put the torn fragment upon
the table before him. He looked at
me, as if inviting me to similar DEM
onstration. We were to proceed by
moves, then.
81 have no evidence that this is the
document" 1 objected.
ssNor ], in your case" he retorted.
every we'll" l assented. I'VE will
take it point by point, but fear we
shall find it tedious job"
drew the paper from my pocket and
laid it before me- At the other end of
the table could see sercombe's green
eyes bulgi1fg in his head as they fasten-
ed upon the white thing under my
hand His mouth dropped, and por-
ton Of the glow receded from his face
Montgomery stared A tense feeling
stiffened the attention of all. felt my
heart throb in the silence, and then
suddenly there was a sharp exclama-
ton from Sheppard, and the next mo-
ment I was conscious Of a clatter and
two figures struggling beside me. The
affair lasted but a. few seconds, and
then Hood was hurled deity back
against the window, and Sheppard
flung upon the floor with a crash long
Spanish dagger.
A hush fell on the room Sercombe
turned pale, and his eyes shifted uli-
easily. Had it been murder that was