Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1906-01-25


 the outset. A fair siege and a square siege is more to my taste. But you let up on us with that moat of yours and those sharp eyes. I will confess l never saw position held more keen ly. But that's no use to us. and tell you that I'm sick of it. Look; I'll tell you how 1 stand. l have my men they're mine, mind you. and not Hood sand I've no stomach to give it all up for nothing. But. between you and me. it's no champagne supper to defend the castle and lose half your natural life in blows and strateges; therefore. what do you say to terns:"
 "Terms.' I echoed. To ransom Hood!'
 He eiaculatel an oath Let the beast rot" he declared. "Fm talking of ourselves
 Captain Sercombe." said l gently. sI knew A1r. Hood in this business ere knew you. and to my idea he was the prime mover ill the conspiracy. Let Us say that he is gone and what have we to fear:"
 Sercombe looked extremely blank, and l could see that my words had struck vital spot.
 Hood" he said, has done nothing but blunder, and hesitles"-
 But he got no further. breaking off suddenly and as though with an ef- fort
 ''If that be so.' said 1, rising. 'let us see how Captain Sercombe will man. age matters
 Hold hard.' he interrupted. sSit down awhile sir. You have sprung this affair on me. l must take my counsel. Come, what do you say to go- ing shares?"
 1 lifted my brows You are not serious:" I remarked.
 He glanced furtively at Montgom- cry. II will take onethird," he said, and no questions asked
 My dear sir" said l in amazement, you embarrass me. Your terms are too liberal from a vanquished foe. could not accept such generosity. And now, if you will allow me, as have an appointment with Mr. Hood shortly, must"-
 But this alarmed him, as could per ceive, for he changed color and put out a finger to catch my arm.
 Il will stand in with all of you." he cried.
 smiled, but before I could reply an interruption fell in the entrance of the police sergeant, Jones, whom we had of hof "a lyfa an inquiry as to his Investigations.
 'I am on a track. sir, he declared. Il can say no more.' And he eyed Sercombe attentiyely.
 You've not struck those gypsies, hear" said Sercombe. who had re- sumed his cigar with an appearance of nonehalance.
 "No sir
 "They're here today and somewhere else tomorrow I hardly expected you would find them. They nose scent pretty soon."
 'I'm on track sir" repeated Jones.
 "Gad to hear it." nodded the cap- tain.
 I went out with the sergeant, but Sercombe called to me.
 "What is it?" I asked, standing in the doorway.
 An anxious look troubled Sercombe's eye. II have made you proposition, Mir. GreatoreX.'
 "Thats true," said gravely. "and will ask you, captain, to better it. But, excuse me, my time is limited"
 You give me short shrift," eXclaim- ed he, with q bitter laugh.
 "Oh no,' 1 sald but dare say you will have time to think over it between now and 9 o'clock If you can see your way to more equitable adjust ment, captain, perhaps you would be good enough to let me know by then?'
 At that left him and caught up with Montgomery, who had gone ahead with Jones.
 Excuse me, sir said Jones politely. tain Sercombe'S?
 Why. nc" said l, II have not known him long.
 "Ah' said he, 'an odd gentleman. sir. Mir. Hood of the Woodman he knows some queer stories about him.
 He says so. does he?' said l. 1 Jones emphatically wagged his head "Very queer" he added. From which it appeared to me that MT. Jones might not be quite so smart as he seemed and also that Mir. Hood was even smarter What his object might have been in spreading an evil reputation for Sercombe I could not guess, but that he had an object. and material one, did not doubt for moment.
 Though I had introduced the idea to Sercombe's notice, and the introduce tion had had Its effect, l had not yet given shape and substance to my plan of setting off the one scoundrel against the other. l foresaw that could inn prove my own position very substan- tially by this system of balance, and I determined to go now fortnight to Hood on the same errand He had