Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-01-05


 a military bow.
 "Ah, here is my young friend of the claret"' he exclaimed lightly, nodding briefly to Montgomery, who fixed a stolid and somewhat glowering glance upon him. Then his eye fell on Shep- pard, whom he observed with dispas- sionate curiosity.
 T was in hopes to have met you alone, Mir. Greatorex," with little hesitation showing in his voice.
 ''These are my friends,' said I, from whom 1 have no secrets" 4
 Allow me to introduce myself,' said Sheppard politely, stepping forward, ''since Mir. Greatorex has overlooked the formality. Reginald Sheppard, Captain Sercombe-a gentleman, as hope, but of no occupation and 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 deliverance, but, recover ing himself, smiled genially. ''The pride, sir, is on my side to encounter so pleasant gentleman" Then he looked at me. 'I take it, Mir. GreatOrex, that I may state my business here"
 By all means" I answered curtly, land the sooner the better"
 'To be brief, MT. Greatorex," he said, q have come to strike bargain with you. I will confess that so far you have outmaneuvered us. I will go so far as to say that I thought had you cornered yesterday. Yesterday morn- ing would not have put 2 crowns up- on your appearance in the race But you have sharp eyes, sir, and you are sharper man than I had reckoned. But, upon the other hand, where do you stand? I 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 so?'
 .I 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 grimace. deliver ing it instinctively to Sheppard and went on: "Well, I suppose what you have to say will keep. What have won't, if we are either of us to get any further. We stand upon equal terms now. MT. Greatorex, as you will see, but those terms are impracticable. You have only one half of a secret, and we have the other, and it will take a clev- erer man than you to find our half, as 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 interrogated me mo- ment silently.
 "Since the captain gives his word as gentleman" put in Sheppard's suave voice. I think we stand on safe ground. For my part I am quite will ing to give mine as burglar"
 Sercombe flashed a glance of annoy ance at him.
 "Will you be more explicitT' said I.
 "I thought you took me-" said he. "1t's 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 a man may be Satan himself and fail till the crack of doom"
 Sheppard threw an eager glance at me, and I read assent in it. Nor was indisposed to agree to the proposal. odd and unexpected as it came and involv- ing us. as 1 foresaw, in all the out rages of actual warfare. Yet upon SO pregnant q proposition I dared not make up my mind on the instant, and I 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 bis question in his eyes had made up my mind.
 T agree said.
 Sheppard whistled softly and. as if initiating the captain. leaned forth up- on the window. A light of satisfaction played in SercOmbe's gray-green eyes for an instant. As for Montgomery. I do not suppose that he had any clear notion of what it was all about.
 Then said SercOmbe. "the sooner the better. and what time better than today?'
 T agree to today" replied
 Good, And now there remain only the place and time" said he.
 T have no wish 10 have my head broken said I bluffy. -Or to be mis- taken for hare. and so I say the CAS- tie. IT you grant that. you may fix your own time
 T was h hopes he said. smiling. for tsa took no Offense at my pIainness Of speech. that we might have set tied the matter over a little dinner. H05d- an excellent host. find. is anx- ious tD show yOu what the WOodman can do when he spreads himself And q fuii stOmzeh. warned with wine. is better for business. as my young friend here knows But you shall have it your own way
 ~By all means let fl be q dinner said Sbeppard- suddenly springing up from his seat NIT. GreztOrex. I am sure. would be bath tO rob yOu of your pleasure. Captain Sereomhe- and in his uaue maze bod t0 eder yOu the hos