Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-11-21

place as ANY. The slmiacine was, In
his mind, relegated to distant place
behind weeks of sport and adventure
such as his soul loved.
You men," said Durnovo eagerly,
don't seem to take the thing serious
".
~ answered Meredith, "intend, at
all events, to take the profits very
seriously. When they begin to come
In, ]. Meredith will be at the above adj
dress, and trusts by Il careful attention
to business TO merit continuance of
your kind patronage"
Durnovo laughed somewhat nervous.
ly. DISCARD did not seem to hear
1T is all very well for you" said the
half caste in lower voice. You
have not SO much at stake. 1t Is likely
that the happiness of my whole life de-
ponds upon this venture"
A curious smile passed across Jack
Meredith's face. Without turning his
head he glanced sideways into Dur
novo's face through the gloom. But he
said nothing, and it was DISCARD who
broke the silence by saying simply:
"The same may possibly apply to
me-"
There was little pause, during
which he lighted his pipe.
1t did not seem to occur to any Of
them that the only person whose indi-
viduality was still yelled happened to
be Jack Meredith. He alone had said
nothing. He it was who spoke first,
after a proper period of silence.
at seems to me-" he said, that we
have all the technicalities arranged
now. So far as the working of the eX-
petition is concerned we know our
places, and the difficulties will he met
as they present themselves. But there
is one thing which l think we should
set in order now. have been thinking
about it while have been waiting here
alone"
| The glow of Victor Durnovo's cigar
died away as If in his attention he
was forgetting to smoke; but he said
nothing.
ut seems to me-" Jack went on
that before we leave here we shoul
draw up and sign sort of deed
partnership. OF course we trust eacl
other perfectly-ther is no question OF
that. But life is an uncertain thing, as
some earlier philosopher said before
me; and one never knows what may
happen. l have drawn up a paper ii
triplicate If you have match ! vii
read it to YOU"
DISCARD produced match and. strik
Ing 1t on his boot, sheltered 1t Will
the hollow of Ills hand while .'acl
rcad:
1--WE, the undersigned, hereby ente
Into partnership to search for and sci
to our mutual profit the herb known IL
simiacfhe, the profits to be divide,
into three equal portions, after the de
duction Of one-hundredth part, to b
handed to the servant, Joseph .Atkin
son. Any further expenses that ma.
be incurred to be borne in the sam
proportion as the original expense o
fitting out the Xpedition-namely tive
fifths to be paid by Guy Cravener Os
card, two-tifths by John Meredith. one
fifth by Victor Durnovo.
1.-The sum of $50 per month t
be paid to Victor Durnovo, where
with he may pay the thirty specia
men taken from his estate and head
quarters at Alsala to cultivate TIL
simiacine. and such corn and vegeta
bles as may be required for the sus
tenance of the expedition; these me,
to act as porters until tile plateau b.
reached.
1.-THE opinion of two of the thre
I leaders against one to be accepte
Internationally in all questions wher
controversy may arise. In case .
death each Of us undertakes hereby +
hand over to the executor of the dea,
partner or partners such moneys a
shall belong to him or them.'
At this juncture there was littl
pause while Guy Oscard lighted set
ond match.
and" continued Jack, I'VE hereb
undertake severlH on oath to hol
the secret of the whereabouts of til
simiacine Il strict secret, which secrc
may not be revealed by any one of u.
to whomsocver it may be, without til
sanction, in writing, Of the other tw
partners"
There" concluded Jack MEREDITH
Il am rather pleased with that literar
production. 1t is forcible and yet d
void of violence. l feel that in me til
commerce of the century has lost a
ornament. Moreover. l am ready I
swear to the terms of the agreement
There was little pause. Guy O.
card took his pipe from his mouth, an
while he knocked the ashes out agains
the leg Of his chair he mumbled, 9
swear to hold to that agreement"
Victor Durnovo took off his hat wit
q sweep and n flourish, and, raising Iii
barred brow to the stars, he said: q
swear to hold to that agreement. If
fail, may God strike me dead"