Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1906-02-08
combe. / have heard "


and CHANGING at the window. * witch
ing of his mouth belied his calm ap-
pearance, and was disposed to be-
lieye that he contemplated desperate
move. sat down upon chair BY
the door and surveyed him coolly.
aAfay ask said I, IF you have
found this sort of thing usually profita.
ble?r / nodded at my bureau.
Il was in hopes this would prove
so,v he answered smoothly. Il am
not an old hand at it."
aBut you have able assistants?
asked.
aCome. come. Mr.. Greatorex," he re
piled. with a touch of Impotence 10
his voice, set us ssst to business!"
..By all MEANS, said l. you viii
find me a most reasonable man. In
my profession LaNe MD occasion sew
eral times to deal with your profes-
sion.
Ii / had expected him to vince at
this undisguised thrust was doomed
to disappointment. a smile fitted over
his face, and that was all. He with
drew his hand from the breast of his
coat May l sit down:" he inquired in
his most courteous manner.
Come" said l, 3it is rather who
should apply to you for permission"
eve will not stand upon ceremony"
he observed, whipping chair deity
beneath him.
a very natural sentiment upon your
part" / retorted ironically.
Mr. Greatorex," said he with his
smile and now thoroughly in charge Of
himself, there is one thing pride my
self upon. and that is command of my
temper"
"a very useful trait-in your profess
sion," l remarked.
The captain took cigarette from his
case. "You win not mind" said he.
s1The window will air your bedroom"
| And he pulled the smoke from his nos
trils, and it hung about his ragged red
mustache. waited, my eyes fastened
on him.
! ssWhat are you going to do?" he
asked presently.
/ His own expression carried not a.
trace of anxiety.
aIn these cases." | made answer,
there is a natural course with which
her majesty's dutiful subjects do not
usually tamper. For my own part |
confess that I was at first tempted to
take matters into my own hands. but
on reflection l do not think ! shall in
/ terrupt the ordinary course of justice
"Ah,. he said, taking the cigarette
from his mouth. you will call in the
law
nodded, and slow smile illumined
his red face.
Il think / can persuade you to forego
that satisfaction" he said, though I
may possibly find it more difficult to
prevent your earlier resolution.
II am entirely in your hands, said l.
smiling to him, for indeed I wassnow
chuckling to myself not only s'ae
mans equanimity, which was qusS:$
my taste. but. at my own masteS Oh
/ the situation.
i He looked at me inquiringly, and
was amazed to see the difference in his
i eyes now. They were tense, sharp, and
every trace of idle Indifference had left
them.
You are aware, Mr.. Greatorex, what
we are quarreling over?"
81 assure you. my dear sir" said /,
that I am quarreling over nothing |
am sitting at your feet Pray contin-
ue''
Il think" he said dryly, that we are
/ beating about the bush. This game of
tierce and carte is very well for nov
ices, but we are got beyond that and
come to actual quarters Come, think
this air of yours is mere affectation
which has played its part"
said nothing save, Il am waiting to
hear you, Captain Sercombe."
you are aware said he. what you
have in this house" He was watching
me very carefully, ready, I did not
doubt, to cry off in another direction If
/ showed my ignorance of his meaning.
81 know what you and your friends
are after" said I.
He heaved sigh of relief.
.sThen / table my cards." said he.
''You have piece of paper which |
want
Exactly answered, casting look
at my open bureau. He laughed.
ooh, will admit you have the better
of me so far he exclaimed. But we
are not yet at the end of the cam
paign."
..No," said I; mot until the police
from Raymond arrive" he leaned for
ward and tapped me on the arm very
earnestly.
.sYou mistake me- he said. Il think,
Mr.. Greatorex, that you do not quite
understand the position"
Upon my soul,s said I, Il believe
you are right When a common bur
glar shall preach to his victim one
must indeed revise ones notions of the