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

Captain Sercombe." l cried SHARPLY,
breaking Upon the tail of S~hepparG'>
yarn. these communications are not
Included in the compact"
The captain started, and his face rcd
dened deeper, but he was always q
cool hand.
Il must ask YOU to remember. Mr..
Grea1orex." said he ~suavely. "that l
am Your guest"
That is rue" said Sheppard. nod
ding his head.
Sercombe looked AT me with ~2r.e
asperity.
II think, sir" said he. that in ,le
circumstances you will see that yoU
have overstepped the privileges Of gen
tlemen."
The word is hardly IL the case. /
think we are agreed that it is as thieves
We meet" interjected Sheppard smooth
II.
you are right. Captain Serconte,"
I answered. being in my TURN il con-
mand Of myself, and l offer you ny
apology for the rudenesS. but l am AT
least the master Of my WI servants.
and Hood shall keep his distance and
not hang about annoying my guests"
With which I ordered him Forthwith to
the window, & command which he mas
tened to obey almost by anticipation.
must say that this unpleasant cpl
sode at nee changed the atmosphere
OF the room. On the whole. l did not
regret this, as I conceived that we had
perhaps reached the proper term OF our
familiarity with Sercombe. 1t was
strange to see the instant revolution in
our mutual attitudes. Whether Ser
conbe himself had been as easy as he
had previously seemed. or whether he
had acted a part for our benefit. l can
not say, but it is certain that now he
was charged with anxiety. Now and
again his eyes, puffed and bloodshot,
mckered uneastly on Hood. where the
man stood in his corner. a memorial of
black sobriety. and his demeanor was
carefully under restraint. The situa-
ton became a little disagreeable. and I
thought the time had arrived to end it.
Captain Sercombe," l said. quite
formally, i fancy our dinner. such as
it is. is over, and if you will take no
more wine perhaps we had better get
to business
Certainly, sir" said the captain
cheerfully and draining his glass. Il
am at your service"
/ looked at Hood. 1T is time now"
said l. that We were alone" And I
waited to see the man move.
a quick exchange Of glances took
place between them. and then the inn
keeper turned his back on US and bus
led himself with the plates upon the
sideboard.
Sercombe colored angrily and was
visibly disconnected. Il beg your par
don, sir" said he, with a slight STAN
mer, "but have already had the honor
of informing you that I am not alone in
this matter
Really" said Sheppard gently, Il do
not think we can invite our servant to
discuss this matter with u.s."
Sercombe bit his lip. and after a
glance at Hood. who still kept his atti-
tude, II understand your feeling, gen.
temen,' he replied. and. in fact,
sympathize with it. But
= LIN L bVSdA " PClSClSC
for the first time how far he was in
volVed with the other and to what ex-
tent he was under his control. 1t was
evident that he was chagrined by his
position.
leave the room. Hood" said I. not
that I had any certain intention that
he should quit US, but rather out OF
curiosity as to what would ensue. The
issue surprised me. Hood turned ODE
diently on his heel and made for the
door. AS it closed upon him Sercombe
barrassment:
you are right, gentlemen. I agree
with you. These things are better
managed between gentlemen. But
His perpiexities struggled in evidence
upon his face. yet he had an uncom-
mon gift Of recovering himself, which
I had had occasion already to admire,
and l was to admire him still more at
this moment. You viii perceive, Mr..
G%reatorex,' he 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. 1 take it,
therefore. that we are no longer here
In the capacity of hosts and guests"
A"True," said 1.
tThen." he exclaimed triumphantly,
Hood, I take it. is no longer a serv-
ant?'
"Captain Sercombe is right" said
Sheppard promptly, turning to me,
"and, by your leave, Ned, l will ring
and have him up"
IT accept your theory" 1 answered.
"Let 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 nave Just enjoyed an excellent
dinner very well served, Mr.. Hood. but
I fear you are too late. Montgomery.
q glass OF wine for Mr.. Hood. Bust
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