Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1906-12-27
samer, though l may have Iunchea WIN

born. 1t d~ovetails r~idiculously. But
must know your colleagues, even II it's
only to cut them. You'll have to take
me to the house."
'ImposSiblc."
mot ut an" Again the tone of au-
thority fell to l.oder. II can pull my
hat over my eyes and turn up my
coat collar. Nobody will notice me.
We can choose the fall of the after
noon. | promise you twill be all
right
Suppose the likeness should leak
out? It's Il risk
Loder laughed confidently. flush,
man. Risk is the salt of life. l must
see YOU at your post, and must see
the men you work with" He rose,
walked across the room and took his
pipe from the rack. when l go i'll
for a t.ing | like to go in over head
AID ears" he added as he opened his
tobacco jar.
His pipe filled, he resumed his seat,
resting his elbows on the table in IN
conscious imitation Of Chilcote.
Got a match?' he said laconically,
holding out his hand.
In response Chilcote drew his match
box from his pocket and struck a light.
AS their hands touched an exclama-
ton escaped him.
"By Jove..' he said, with a fretful
mixture of disappointment and sur
prise. Il hadn't noticed that!!' His
eyes were fixed in annoyed interest on
Loder's extended hand.
Loder, following his glance, smiled.
"Odd that we should both have over-
looked it! 1t clean escaped my mind.
It's rather an ugly scar" He lifted
his hand till the light fell more fully
on it. Above the second joint of the
third finger al Il Jagged turrow, the
reminder of Il wound that had once
laid lare the bone.
Ch.Icole leaned forward. How did
you come by it," he asked.
The other shrugged bis shoulders
"Oh, that's ancient history
The results are present day enough.
It's very awkward, very annoying!"
Loder, still looking at his hand. didn't
seem to hear. There's only II thing
to be DONE" he said. Each wear two
rings on the third finger of the left
hand. Two rings ought to cover it."
He made a speculative measurement
with the stem of his pipe.
Chilcote looked irritable and disturb
ed. Il detest rings. never wear
rings"
Loder raised his eyes calmly. Mel
Their do l." he said, but there's no rea-
son for bigotry."
But Chilcote's irritability was start
ed. He pushed back his chair. 81 don't
like the idea" he said.
The other eyed him amusedly. What
a queer beggar you are!!' he said. You
waive the danger of u man signing
your checks and shy at wearing a piece
of jewelry. I'll have a fair share of in
dividuality to study"
Chilcote moved restlessly. Every
body knows l detest jewelry."
Everybody knows you are capri
cious. It's got to be the rings or moth
ing, so far as I make out"
Chilcote again altered his position,
avoiding the others eyes. At last, aft
err a struggle with himself, he looked
up.
II suppose you're right he said.
Have it your own way" 1t was the
first small, tangible concession to the
stronger will.
Loder took his victory quietly.
Good" he said. "Then it's all straight
sailing?'
Except for the matter of the-the re-
muneration." Chilcote hazarded the
word uncertainty.
There was a faint pause; then Lodel'
laughed %brusquely. MY pay?'
The other was embarrassed. II didn't
want to put it quite like that"
But that was what you thought.
Why are you never h~onest-even with
%yourself?"
Chilcote drew his chair closer to the
table. He did not attend to the others
A"i Dul MS uuSciS StTdyeu 10 his
waistcoat pocket and fumbled there.
Lode saw the gesture. Look here"
he said, you are o%vertaxing yourself.
Inc affair of the pay isn't pressing.
Wen shelve it to another night. You
look tired out"
Chilcote lifted his eyes with a re-
lleVed glance. Thanks. l do feel a
DIT tagged. If may, I'll have that
whisky that ! refused last night"
why, certainly" Loder rose at once
n crossed to a cupboard i'm the wall.
IN silence he brought out whisky.
glasses, and a siphon Of soda water.
Say when" he said, lifting the whisky.
Now. And Ill have plain water in
stead of soda, if it's all the same"
"Oh. quite" Loder recrossed the
room. Instantly his back was turned,
Chlicote drew a couple Of tahloids from
his pocket and dropped them into his
siass. AS the other came slowly back
ne laughed n%ervously.
Thanks. See to your own drink
now. can manage this He took the
Jug unceremoniously, and. carefully
guarding his glass from the light.
poured In the water with eycitad