The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1907-04-27
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Synopsis Of Preceding Chapters.

Synopsis OF Preceding Chapters.
CHAPTER Thomas Erickson, a
voung Englishman, has lost the mon
with which he was to pay his pass
&c out to India He lends Captain
age money, and in return gets a
worthless check, which leaves him
enniless. He confesses his error TO
aire Harding, his boyhood sweet.
art.
thames Edward William Dain-
tree is in love with Claire.
II-Tom finds out that Captain
Blaydes is paying attention TO Claire
nd is TO be at her house that night.
lie VOWS TO have satisfaction from
Blaydes, but promises Claire that he
will not seek Blaydes for two weeks.
Tom meets Blaydes few moments
later and demands his G3o.
alayties swol. = puzzled oatn ana
Jumped his cane upon the ground.
You know a lot.' he snarled.
Il know where you're going. and I'm
coming too. don't lose sight OF you
tonight
And they stepped out. with no more
words. though Blaydes ground his
teeth and sripped his cane and tried
his best to drop a foot or two behind.
But Toms eye was on him. So he
stopped at a stile, whereupon Tom
stopped, too. and as they stood there
passed a laborer, who stared and wish
ed them good night.
See here. Erickson" exclaimed the
captain. Il object to discussing private
matters on a turnpike road. Here's a
path that's short cut back into town.
suppose come a part of the way with
you and talk this thing over without
fear OF being heard. What do you
say"
"As you like. Your way is mine"
Blaydes shrugged his broad Shout
ders, tucked his cane under one arm
and laboriously crossed the stile. Tom
then followed him into a sloping field,
with beaten right OF way running
uphill through the dewy grass. They
climbed this path with the young moon
in their eyes. but not word upon their
lips. and Toms thick stick grasped
tight by the knob. The ascent brought
them to a second hedge, backed by q
row of horse chestnuts all hazy with
tiny leaves, and to a hollow beech be-
side the second stile. Here the captain
dropped his cane in the grass and,
limping pitiably. begged the other to
pick it up. But Tom merely shifted IL
with his foot, keeping a strange eye on
Blaydes as he did so. The cane in the
grass had no gold knob. and the cap
tain's right hand was tucked inside his
cloak.
Very prettily planned" said Tom,
with a sheer. but / should like to sec
the rest of that sword stick"
The other laughed.
II only drew it in case Of need. You
are such violent young blood! Ali,
you will have it, will you? There, then
and there-and there.'
The yard of thin, tempered steel had
been casually produced. and Tom had
instantly struck at it with his stick.
Next moment the point was within an
inch of his body. but Tom retreated
nimbly. hitting high up the blade with
all his might. 1t snapped at the third
blow. whizZed in the air and came
down sticking in the grass. Only the
gold head and three inches Of blade
were left In the captains tingling
hand.
CHUCK 1t away" said Tom. "and l
drop my stick. That's better. Now
about that money. You didn't bring
me up here to run me through the
body. OF course! What was your OBJ
ject?'
ITO settle with you-fairly," said
Blaydes, with lurch in his low voice.
Il am overdue elsewhere, as you have
found out-the Lord knows how. II
I had the money on me, 1t should be
propose this compromise-wait till to-
morrow and I'll make it fifty and give
you an I. o. L. on the spoti'
mo. no, Blaydes. Once bit-once
bit, Very sorry, but it can't be done"
Blaydes muttered an oath as he took
out his watch, pressed the spring, and
It struck 10 and then the three-quar-
ters, like fairy bells. He did not put
The watch away again, but stood with
t in his hands and presently detached
The chain from his waistcoat. He had
already turned his face to the moon.
and he now glanced over his shoulder
md beckoned to Tom.
"Just have look at this" he said. |
NO; take 1t in your hands and exam
ne it properly
The watch was repeater of a type |
wen then old fashioned. 1t was very |
handsome and heavy and fat, with a /
-ellow dial and a back like a golden /
aucer. Tom turned it over, and the |
noon shone on the captains mono |
ram.
well. but what have I got to do
nth this?"
Pawn itr'
spawn your watchT'
"And send me the ticket and never
ester me again. 1t won't be the first
ime it's been In. I've had $40 for it
efore today and never less than thirty.
.ou may get what you can. All l
rant is the pawn ticket and your un-
ertaking to leave me alone from this
ay on
Leave you alone, / shall get a
erth of some sort aboard an India