Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-03-12


"State your terms" said coldly,
having now an inkling as to the new
situation.
"That is better" said he approvingly.
"In the first place, this contest is pri-
vate one, carried on by both sides
without public assistance"
'That is very well indeed" said /,
"for a party, numbers unknown,
against one man.
eff l have gathered any impression
of your character, Mr. Greatorex," OBJ
served the captain dryly, during few
to destroy that Inequality. l put no
embargo upon your numbers"
"That is good of you," said 1 sarcas-
tically.
Secondly" continued he, unmoved
and counting ON his fingers, there is
breed i'll will like you, and off duty
there is room for exchange of friendly
courtesies."
''You forget" / said sharply, "in
what relation l find you. There can be
no peace between your profession and
mine"
He smiled.
'The incident was an unpleasant ne
cessity,' said he airily. But come,
Mr.. Greatorex. this attitude of high
morals would be very we'll In you were
you the proper heir. But what are we
but both upon the same level? Rob
bers, bandits, what you WILL certainly
with no great reason for pride, and at
least face the position and would ask
you to do the same"
The words of the man completely
abashed me- And when / considered.
he spoke no more than the truth. He
said truly when he described us as up
on the same level. We We're conspiring
each in his way against the laws Of
the country and risking our liberties
in an illegal attempt to steal what the
custom of the. kingdom had claimed as
the spoils of the crown. / will admit
that the captains reasoning confound-
ed me, and ( was left staring hope
lessly at the situation in kind of hui
initiation against which l kicked in
vain. Yet was not for his seeing SO
much as wink or blink in me.
you must not misunderstood me-"
said I after pause in which l digest.
ed these reflections. II put my value
on my own situation, and am willing
to agree to these terms, so far, at least
as they consort with my own inclina-
lions. You will not look for greater
consideration than would bestow up
on you apart from this struggle in
which we are involyed?"
"Why, certainly mott" said he gayly
and as one who had gained his point.
every WELL" said 1, rising. "And
that commits US to very little"
"Then, Mr.. GreatoreN," said he, two
have concluded, and we know where
we stand"
At this l pulled myself up short, and,
fetching my watch out OF my pocket, /
said:
Il know this, Captain Sercombe, that
l give you three minutes to be free Of
the castle and outside the gate. After
IuuL uuue L VIII luhG WAuL 6lCPS
choose against burglars"
The smile vanished from his face and
was succeeded by nasty frown. "You
forget he said, that am here as an
invited guest"
what, in my chamber" said I hot
ly. "The devil take your invitation!
That reserve for myself!'
He came into the passage. II be-
lieve," said he as amiably as ever,
that am now within the precincts
of my right and within the rights of
hospitality"
"As you choose," said I sullenly.
"And that being SO, will trouble you
to awaken your host from drunken
slumber, concocted know not how"
'tMy dear sir" said the captain,
laughing now quite cheerfully, there
is no concoction necessary, I assure
you. A bottle Of whisky or Burgundy
to his elbow and my young friend
Montgomery asks nothing better And
I trust that you will give me credit
for this, that do not trespass upon an
other gentlelnan's cellars"
NO" said 1. "You keep sober, I
grant you," and stalked somewhat an
gritty down the stairs.
Montgomery lay where had left
him. but lifted his head upon our en-
trance, glazing with stupid and mis-
cradle eye upon US.
"Ah,' said the captain pleasantly,
'my young friend is himself again, or
ut least wants but bucket Of cold
waterr And he clapped him on the
back in friendly fashion.
"You had better take him away"
said CURLY, but at that remark and
after CHANGING from one to the other
the boys eyes rested upon my face
with a look Of CONSERVATION, and sud
denly he buried his face in his arms
with sort of sob.
Faith, l am in the way here" said
the captain merrily, and without more
ado he shutiied out Of the house, leav-
ing me alone with the wretched youth.
stood for time regarding him with
indifference, but presently another
mood overlook NE. He was honest
and leal, l could swear, but he was an
arrant fool and had very sorry vice.
Montgomery" said I, "you have
been guilty of grave breach Of faith.
But so far we are not the losers by it,
and think If you will take the advice
of your friend, the captain, we shall be