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


chuckling to myself not only at the
mans equanimity, which was quite tc
my taste, but at my own mastery OF
the situation.
He looked ut me inquiringly, and
was amazed to see the difference in his
eyes now They were tense, sharp, and
every trace Of idle Indifference had left
them.
you are aware, Mr. Greatorex, what
we are quarreiing over?"
II assure you, my dear sir" said l.
that am quafreling over nothing.
am sitting at your feet. Prey contin-
ue.'
II think" he said dryly, that we are
beating about the bush. This game OF
tierce and carte is very we'll for nov
ices but we are got beyond that and
come to actual quarters. Come, think
this air of yours is a mere affectation
which has played its part"
said nothing save, y am waiting to
hear you, Captain Sercombe."
you are aware" said he, what you
have in this house, He was watching
me very carefully. ready, did not
doubt, TO cry off in another direction ii
l showed my ignorance Of his meaning.
81 know what you and your friends
are after" said /.
He heaved a sigh of relief.
''Then I table my cards." said he.
"You have piece of paper which l
want"
EXACTLY" answered, casting look
at my open bureau. He laughed.
ooh, will admit you have the better
of me so far" he exclaimed. But we
are not yet at the end Of the CAM
paign.'
NO.. said 1; mot until the police
from Raymond arrive" He leaned for
ward and tapped me on the arm very
earnestly.
'sYou mistake me- he said. 81 think,
Mr. Greatorex, that you do not quite
understand the position"
upon my SOUL" said l, II believe
you are right. When common bur-
glar shall preach to his victim one
must indeed revise ones notions of the
world
"You are determined TO be 1ippant,
Mr. Greatorex," he replied severely,
"and so l viii disillusio1lize you. You
have inherited this property from MI.
Kesteven?"
bowed.
"a gentleman with whom had not
the pleasure of personal acquaintance
he resumed, "but whom have reasons
for considering very discreet and
tenacious man. Now, why, Mr.. Great
orex,' he said-and he stared at me
dispassionat why do you sup
pose that Mr.. Kesteven did not employ
these police of yours?"
The question certainly took me
aback. had never considered it. If
the old gentleman had feared an at
tack, why had he not taken precau-
lions against it? But was not in
clined to make poor appearance in
the argument, and so "He had excellent
reasons" I said cheerfully.
"You say WELL" said he, nodding, but
scrutinizing me ,keenly. Excellent, in
deed, with which, since you are OBJ
viously acquainted, you will no doubt
understand good many things which
would otherwise puzzle YOU"
Here confess he had me again in
his hands. sQufte So" / stammered
as bravely as possible.
He laughed softly. II think, Mr.
Greatorex, that we had really better
understand each other and not be SO
civil What you don't know, despite
your brave profession Of knowledge, is
that the treasure disposed in this house
is treasure trove-that is. that it was
not the property Of the late Mr.. Kes
teven ami was not in hts power to be-
queafh, and consequently Is not now
your property, but the property Of her
gracious majesty our sovereign queen,
less somewhat infnitesinlal percent
age which we may term salvage. That,
I take 1t, is statement which is new
to you"
It. was, indeed. and now that the