Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1906-03-29

had l seen the veil lifted and the rea,
man exposed and naked to the light o
day.
Hood" said l, almost with a sigh OF
despair at his imperturbable calm, "dc
you want to stay here indefnitely?'
Certainly not, sir; by your leave, SIR
he answered promptly.
Then upon what terms shall l offer
you release?" His eyes dropped, and
there was silence. "Remember," said 1
that no Il outside ourselves is aware
OF your eNistance here. You may be
hidden here till the day of judgemen
and none be the wiser, andy even then
your bones will scarcely see the light OF
day. What do you propose?"
Hood shifted his gaze to my face
Anything that's convenient to you, sir
Id rather leave it to you, Sir"
l experienced a strange impulse to cry
out with some emotion, but whether
this was astonlshment, anger or a mere
sense OF the ridiculous, or whether ii
was a combination of all three, l could
not have said. l rose from my seat.
controlling my voice with difficulty.
Very we'll, Hood" l said. ut shall
be left to me, as you suggest And
with that / stalked out of the dungeon
and locked the door.
1t was impossible to transact business
with such a man. l felt the need OF
reciprocity, whereas dealing with Hood
reminded me of nothing so much as OF
digging at a piece of rubber that will fly
gently back when the pressure is remov
ed. And SO it must be with Sercomb
that | should arrange tho details of a
compromise, or at least the terms of a
truce If not OF a permanent peace.
Sercombe was absent from the inn,
but | learned that he was in Raymond,
and, taking our horses. Montgomery
and l rode across to the little town in
the early hours of the afternoon. We
ran upon the captain himself in High
street and as We were making for the
Swan to put up our nags. He welcomed
us cheerily and. mopping his red fore
head (for the day was very sultry), in
vited us to drink with him.
Just stepping across to the Swan
said he. Come along and put up your
toes. Educator was nothing to this"
l accepted with a nod, and presently
we we're seated in the commercial room
by the window that he looked out upon
the courtyard, sippling a cooling draft.
II prefer" says the captain Hospital
bly,, "to drink in company rather than
alone. And that's the distinction Ee-
tween a drinller and q drunkard, Mas
ter Montgomery. Take it from me-
With which he threw back his head
and took a long pull at his glass. 81
have not felt sc warm since l was in
Abyssinia," he remarked.
All" said I, you are right. captain.
Hot is the word. I'm sure from ny
heart I envy Hood"
Sercombc prirked w his ears, &C
garding me inquisitively.
Yes" l went on. leaning back in
my chair; cool, damp floors, cold stone
walls and neither the sun nor tie moon
to smite him-that's my notion of COM
fort this weather."
Sercombe paused in the act of drink
ing and put down his glass. What
is this conundrum. Mr.. Greutorex:" he
asked in a puzzled way.
Ills no conundrum.' l replied airi-
~. BY the way, where did YOU say
your friend Hood was!'
He looked at Inc under his red eve
broWs. Mr.. Hood he said. is on
business of his own. He is a gentle
man at large, but lie has affairs"
NO doubt. no doubt" l remarked
amiably. This is an excellent cool
ing drink, captain"
Sercombe Eutfed at his cigar. con
tinuing to study cur faces. Upon Mont
gonery's, I dare say. he perceived a
smile Of triumph, for he suddenly put
down his cigar and folded lis hands
on his head.
Il fancy we've got to come to an
understanding, Mr.. Greatorex.' he said
slowly. I'm slow Of Wit, 10 doubt,
but l begin to see daylight. But
will call OF you to observe that l am
not responsible for MI. Hoods move
ments.'
81 lave never imagined So" I an
swereG. "On the contrary"
a froWn. rather than Il scoTI. cross
ed his face. Has it ever fallen to
YOU. MI. GreatoreX. to be tied in a
LEASH; to be But l reckon as Il bar
rlster you are not particular about
} Jul ScSSo. LOU IdNc l.cSStu uD WIN
many 3 dirty Attorney
You fclic.tate me too much" said
I, with q bow. II am unfortunate
enough never to have had a brief.-
"Ah.." said the captain and was for a
moment silent. You have Hood?" he
asked.
The mans intelligence was quick; bis
wits were plying even more quickly.
eve have the honor to possess a
prisoner Of war" said l.
Il congratulate you, SIR said he,
upon an event I had always antici-
pated." Then again he was quiet.
seeming absorbed in thought, bit sud
denly he sat up. See here, Mr.. Great
oreX,'' he said, 81 will be frank with
you. This thing has not gone accord
ing to my notions, and that's fat. AS
for this folly Of exploiting the cnstle
from inside, l put no faith in it from
the outset. a fair siege and 4 square
siege is more to my taste. But you
let up on us with that lnoat Of yours
and those sharp eyes. l will confess
T ~--- 49, 1-l1