Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-03-15
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descended il file into the library. Ser
confle who was staring out of The
window and curling his mustache witt
an air Of abstraction. turned rapidly
aud. putting his heels together, gave me
military bow.
"Ah, here is my Young friend of the
cIaretr he exclaimed lightly. noddins
briefly to Montgomery, who fixed &
stolid and somewhat glowering glance
upon him. Then his eye fell on Shep
pard, whom he observed with dispas
sionate curiosity.
Il was in hopes to have met YOU
alone, Mr.. Greatorex," with little
hesitation showing in his voice.
"These are my friends" said I, from
whom | have no secrets"
"Allow me to introduce myself" said
Sheppard politely, stepping forward,
''since Mr.. Greatofex has overlooked
the formality Reginald Sheppard,
Captain Sercombe--a gentleman, as
hope. but of no occupation and a vast
deal Of ambition, who is proud to make
the acquaintance Of so notorious free
companion as yourself
Sercombe stared, somewhat discom-
posed by this deliyerance, but, recover
ing himself, smiled genially. '"The
pride, sir, is on my side to encounter so
pleasant a gentleman" Then he looked
at me. II take it, Mr.. Greatore4, that
may state my business here
"By all MEANS" I answered CURLY,
"and the sooner the better"
'To be brief, Mr.. Greatorex," he said,
II have come to strike bargain with
you. I will confess that so far you
have outmaneuvered u.s. I will 60 so
far as to say that thought had you
corhered yesterday, Yesterday morn
ing would not have put Q crowns up
on your appearance in the race. But
you have sharp eyes, sir, and you are
a sharper man than / had reckoned
But, upon the other hand, where do
you stand? ask you to consider that.
And what price do you put on your
chances? You have, I should guess,
about as much chance to lay your
hands on what you want as have. Is
that SOP"
II am not here to discuss my chances
with you, but to listen to you, sir"
said I. "What have you to say?"
: He made slight grinace, deliver
ing it instinctively to Sheppard and
went on: "Well, suppose what you
have to say will keep. What l have
won't, il we are either Of us to get any
further. We stand upon equal terms
now, Mr.. Greatorex, as you will see,
but those terms are impracticable. You
have only one half of secret, and we
have the other, and it will take a clev-
erer man than you to find our half, as
I make no doubt you also have yours
In pretty safe hiding. don't reckon to
hunt London for piece of paper. But
this brings me to my point. Let us
show our hands. Let me see what you
have in yours, and give you the word
Of gentleman you shall see all mine"
He paused and Intercepted me mo-
ment silently
Since the captain gives his word as
a gentleman" put in Sheppard's suave
voice, II think we stand on safe
ground. For my part am quite will
Ing to give mine as Il burglar"
Sercombe flashed a glance of annoy
ance at him.
"Will you be more explicity' said I.
II thought you took me-" said he.
TITS plain enough. Let us piece the
document together, read it and start
fair on the knowledge That places us
again on equal terms, only with this
difference, that the best man wins.
Whereas now man may be Satan
himself and fail till the crack of
DOOM"
Sheppard threw an eager glance at
me, and 1 read assent in 1t. Nor was I
lndisposed to agree to the proposal, odd
and unexpected as 1t came and involv
Ing us, as foresaw, in all the out
RACES Of actual warfare. Yet upon so
proposition I dared not
make up my mind on the instant, and
suppose the man saw this, for, turn
ing, he moved to the windows again
and looked out upon the lawns, hum
ming to himself. Ere he had turned
again and faced me with his question
IN his eyes had made up my mind.
81 agree" said.
Sheppard whistled softly and, as If
the captain, leaned forth up
On the window A light of satisfaction
played in Sercombe's gray green eyes
'or an instant. AS for Montgomery, I
10 not suppose that he had any clear
notion of what it was all about.
''Then," said Sercombe, "the sooner
he better, and what time better than
oday?"
Il agree to today" I replied.
Good! And now there remain only
he place and time" said he.
Il have no wish to have my head
,roken," said l blufly, "or to be mis-
aiken for hare, and SO say the cas-
e. IL you grant that, you may FIX
,our own time"
Il was in hopes" he said, smiling,
or he took no offense at my plainness
# speech, that we might have set
led the matter over little dinner
Hood, an excellent host, find, is anx-
Gus to show you what the Woodman
an do when he spreads himself. And
full stomach, warmed with wine, is
letter for business, as; my young friend
ere knows. But you shall have it your
wn way"