The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1907-12-26
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"a and -, alone on the veranda,
tHrniat over IN his mind the
events OF his first crowded day and his
plans for the future campaign Mr,
Michael Corrigan troubled him. This
little fat man was nobody's fool, and
no one could tell what sort of mischief
was being ha,cbed behind those pierre
Ing eyes. which. II they continued 10
twinkle about the Renwyck place,
would shortly discover many things.
Richard sighed and ficked the stump
Of his cigarette away. lie rose and
was about 10 pass into the house when
be was met In the doorway by Mr.
Renwyck.
"Croyland." said his host impressive
~, there Is little matter which
should like TO talk over with you, and
have purposely waited unti the la
dies retired"
Richard fancied there was a certain
grmness In Mr.. Renwyck's tone and
| jumped TO n swift conclusion. He was
found out He wished TO avoid a
scene II possible, but from what his
father had told him Of Mr.. Renwyck's
temper he could gather little hope.
Certainly" he answered evenly,
rather'relIeved that the expected break
was coming. Shall we SIT here on
the porchT
NO" said the old gentleman; Il
don't care 10 be overheard by any OF
the servants. II you don't mind walk
Ing Wen move away from the house"
Richard was convinced. He was
sure that when Jacob Renwyek ex-
pressed a candid opinion OF any one
especially an impostor-he would find
II difficult to speak In whispers. 1t
was Just as well, on the whole, and
Richard preferred to receive his male
diction out OF earshot OF his ladylove.
lie rose with alacrity, therefore, and
followed his host, who led the way
across the lawn toward little observ
atory or pleasure house on the crest
OF bluff overlooking the moonlit Hud-
son.
At another time the young man might
have enjoyed the view of the great
calm river sweeping past the shadowy |
hills on the farther side, but under the |
circumstances the scene did not appeal
TO him There were other thoughts |
which occupied his mind. Mr.. Rem
wyck walked with his hands clasped
behind him, and Richard watched his
every move. Physically the Texan was
more than match for Mr.. Renwyck,
but the latter had probably armed
himself for the occasion, a trifling pre-
caution which would not have escaped
the southerner And Richard then
and there resolved never again to put
ON pair OF trousers that had no pistol
pocket In them. What did those eastern
tailors know about the requirements
OF a gentleman anyway? But then 1t
flashed into his mind that Mr.. Rem
wyck was probably no better provided
than he In that particularly -reassuring
thought
Suddenly Mr.. Renwyck unclasped
his hands and transferred one OF them
to his breast pocket Richard caught
sight of a bulging projection-it was
there thenl
He was on the point OF selling his
hosts wrist when the latter brought
forth brown covered case.
"Have cigar" he said, with crafty
cordlalIty, and Richard accepted, With
his gaze still concentrated on Mr.. Rem
wyck's hands.
"Llghtr
THANK you, no." the Texan answer
ed. ''Ill smoke 1t dry for awhile, II
you don't mind"
The trick was an old one. He had
seen II worked along the Rio Grande.
A Mexican had presented a cheroot to
COW puncher, who. after lighting II,
found himself looking into the muzzle
OF an overgrown Colt's-and a Texan
learns TO profit by observation as well
as experience.
Mr. Renwyck now invited his guest
TO seat beside him on smooth fiat
stone on the edge OF the cliff. Richard
accepted, but cautiously slid his foot
to a point behind Mr.. Renwycks leg,
with the aim OF overturning his enc
my backward at the first sign OF
treachery.
"Croyland," he began abruptly, "l've
taken fancy 10 You somehow, and
I'm going TO prove 1t by putting you
on the inside Of little business deal"
"A business dealT' gasped Richard
In unfeIgned surprise.
putting thoughifnlly at his cigar "0f
course l don't know how you are fixed
financially, nor have ] any intentionl
OF asking imperilnent questions. but II
you care to come with me In a trans
action in which myself have invested
largely can put you In the way OF
making quite a snug little sum"
Richard withdrew his foot from be
hind Mr. Renwyck's leg and In the
darkness siroye 10 kick himself. Con
science had made OF him not exactly
coward. but careful skater on thin
Ice.
That's very clever OF you. indeed"
he answered, lighting his perfecto and
gnzing out across the Hudson rs Il |
what yon callers fierr'
We'll. no." said the old hnancier !
"Ifs more than that It's dead Ger
ialniy, and I'm on the inside lie; me ,
explain. TO begin with. II Is a deep ,
water hsrbor enterprise In the state OF
Texas"
Richard pricked up his ears. and Mr |
Renwyck couiinned; Z
"A local company has been organ. I
lied and styles itself the Houston !
MatAaonia City and Gulf Railroad
end improvement company" And i
illehard recognized the company witt I
a thrill of excitement They're 90 I
ing 10 get an appropriation from the !
legislature for making deep water 3
hsrl,or AZ Natagonta City. They own !
al THE land IN the vicinity and the {
right ot way for branch line 10 con /
meet with the railroad systems OF Tex 8