Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1906-03-01

AAS AHANA lN'SAA W AN NSeAS
He assumed 4 place at the back Of
the captain. commanding a view of the
table. Sercombe spread his hands up
on the table.
gentlemen. let Us show our cards"
he said.
There was d molMoLtary silence. and
then ! was conscious Of 4 slight bus
tie of excitement that stirred the room
into sound. Sheppard looked at NE,
and Montgomery,S gaze was riveted
upon the captain. Sheppard coughed
gently and slipped his wine.
That is = Very proper demand. Cap
tain Serconsbe." I said. seeing that it
is what we are here for. hut l hardly
Yer see II! way clear TO table all my
tricks. Let Us understand Il another
better"
The captain did not color, as be
might we'll have colored under this i'm
pncit distrust. AS l have said. he was
singular in the partial hold he kept
upon his gentili1y. Instead he laughed.
but somewhat ~awkwardly.
Il 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 q long wisp of red
hair across his naked crown. Il can
not pretend to misunderstood YOU" he
declared at last ana shot q glance
aside at Hood. who had fallen slightly
away from the table and stood in
tently watching the scene. But I
think il is somewhat unnecessary. Mr..
Greatorex," he said. again very awk-
wardly. and he laughed shortly. and
again his eyes few TO Hood. directing
at him. as it seemed to me il that
light. q glance of warning, Of appeal.
even of fear.
"No doubt" said I in return, but
you must remember that I have al
ready had experience of Your posi-
biiities. But come: we shall get 10
further unless we can strike a co1npro-
mise. If you will produce your frag-
ment of the document
you assume that I have it," he broke
in, with his liscordant laugh. You
are taking a good deal for granted"
II assume nothing" said /. DO not
let US handy words"
Sercombe lifted the d~ecanter which
stood at lis elbow and filed his glass
with a hand that shook. He drained
it at a 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 4 similar dem
onstration. We were to proceed by
moves. then.
81 have no evidence that this is the
document" 1 objected.
Nor /, in your case he retorteI.
Very we'll" l assented. We will
take it point by point, but fear we
shall find it a tedious job"
I drew the paper from my pocket and
laid it before me. AT the other end of
the table I could see Sercombe's green
eyes bulging in his head as they fasten-
ed upon the white thing under NY
hand. His mouth dropped, and a por-
ton of the glow receded from his face.
Montgomery stared. A tense feeling
stiffened the attention Of all. l felt my
heart throb il the silence, and then
suddenly there was a sharp eXclaml-
ton from Sheppard. and the next mo.
ment l was conscious of q clatter aud
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 a long
Spanish dagger.
A hush fell On the room. Sercombc
turned pale, and his eyes shifted un.
easily. Had it been murder that was
intended? If SO, I could have sworn
that Sercombe was 10 party to it.
ut appears that we can't do quite
without the law" said Sheppard. plac-
ing his heel upon the weapon. Hood
breathing deeply, remained in the
shadows Of the window.
what does this mean?" l asked.
Hood, black and lean, but immovable
as to feature, stepped from his corner
Il beg your pardon, sir he explained,
but l suppose the gentleman objects
to my wearing it. It isn't a pretty
weapon. sir, exactly, but 1 have found
it useful, sir. 1 thought there would
be no objection. Mr.. Greatorex, sir,
more especially as the gentleman here
carries q revolver" He indicated
Montgomery. who grew red and STAN.
mered:
9" beg your pardon. Awfully sorry
I-1-here it is" and extracting a Colt
from under his waistcoat he threw
it on the table in front Of me.
Sheppard and l exchanged giances.
"Come, sir" said Sercombe's voice,
rising in an imperative key, but this
remarkable scene requires an explana,
ton. Why may not Mr.. Hood wear
what weapon he likes?"
"Was there a%nything?" I asked of
Sheppard in a whisper.
He frowned in embarrassment. "To
have waited for anything would have
been too late" he answered in the
same tone. ~ had to ~forestall. i
guessed, but III swear I guessed right.
/ can't prove 1t. | caught the gleam.'
Then he turned quickly from me and