Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-12-16
Richard e'''; ;;,;ii ;;;;;' ii;'''''
 Author For the dom o 'The kA4 Southerners" Etc, Brazen !!!::' !:' !:|!!: M A. Chap" Copyright, leoe by n1ofat Yard (, Company

couldn't act?"
 Cant" returned the Texan, with a
 sly wink. "That was what you Amer
 jeans call bluff but If you let on I'll
 wiring your neck"
 The Earl of Croyland pro tenn. pro-
 ceeded to his rooms with the object
 of arraying himself in certain riding
 suit in the wardrobe of the Earl of
 CrOyland, in actu, which would have
 made a COW puncher snort with dis
 dain, but which Richard in his pres
 ent state of mind rather longed for. Certainly he had no fault to find either
 with his prototypes taste or tailor. On entering his dressing room he was
 greeted by sight which fairly took his breath away, and he was not easily surprised, either. In a corner opposite the door stood handsome morris chair. In the chair sprawled Mir. Wool sey Bills holding tumbler in one hand and Richards brandy flask in the oth- CT. One-third of the original contents
 was still in the glass; the other two thirds was obviously in Bills, for that worthy smiled pleasantly at his mas ter and made no attempt to rise or to apologize for his extraordinary con- duct.
 Richards first impulse was to take the offender by the scruff of the neck and kick him soundly through his hosts baronial halls, repeating the at {n,, 1, a:,,4 somewhere beyond the Renwycks' front gate, but on second thought he changed his mind. First and foremost he wanted information. The kicking could be postponed. There would be time enough for that later.
 Well, Bills" he began, with a dash of sarcasm in his voice, flor recently employed servant you seem to be doing remarkably we'll"
 Yes, sir" returned the valet, with the utmost complacence; I'm doin' nicely, thank you" He helped himself to another pabulum of liquid cheer and held the glass between his eye and the light. This 'ere brandy, sir, is VHuul Soou NoL "c ub Ol1 tIc Otlltl side. Your judgments better than the earl's, sir. You edith, sir"
 Richard stuffed his clinched hands deep into his pockets, striving with all his might to keep them from the i'm pudent rascars collar. What did it mean? However, there was nothing to be gained by violence, while much could be learned through the exercise of a little tact. Therefore he curbed his rage and spoke calmly. If Bills had known the Texan better he would have realized that when he was most quiet he was most dangerous.
 Might I inquire as to the reason of your present condition?" asked his master.
 Yes" answered Bills airily, but nevertheless in quite open defiance; me an you as got to part company, Mir. Williams"
 "Ah"
 Yes, sir"
 The murder was out. The mans manner of address implied many things which Richard was as quick to grasp as to appreciate their conse- quences. Bills might drop a bomb shell in the Renwyck household by a.I mere mention of the name of "Mr. Williams" A confession on Richards part would be bad enough, but to be forced to admit the accusation of a servant would be infinitely worse. Bills, too, seemed aware of the situa- tion and was determined to make the most of it, as was shown by his next 
 MT. Williams" he began. with the 1 confidence of holding the whip hand, I I'm not disposed to make trouble, sir. though it do go against me to he ! deceivin' people. I've got no complaint aginst my present dOoties. MT. Will [ Hams. sir. an special so as they is i light" Richard made no answer. and ! Bills continued. ''I might-I say I | might-be indoOced to stay on. sir for | a small advance of two hundud pun, with a promise of another one to 1 come"
 "I dare say you might" assented | Richard. with irOnic calm quite lost | upon the man. Anything else?''
 Yes. sir. fancy Mir. Renwyck ! would do as well as that - maybe l more.''
 Probably" agreed Richard. Hes ] richer than and inclined to he more 1 generous. Try it by all means. Bills. I should hate to stand in the way of l your making an honest penny or two"
 The Texan began to undress. while l the surprised valet stared at him in . wonder. He had rather expected a scene. but his masters easy acceptance 4 of the blackmailing scheme took him unawares. He was completely non Olused by this seemingly indifferent | 1s his statement. His bomb shell. which he had charged so elabo- rately. seemed to be hanging fire. He was not so sure that Mir. Renwyck would pay fer his information after all. and a bird in the hand is worth | many on the wiEg. especially to an in. ebriate. whose facilities for bird catch. Ing are limited.
 -Td-I'd rather stay with you. sir" be faltered presently. with a sugges lion of compromise. not to say sur render. in his tones.
 Suit yourself smiled Richard gen IalIy- more indifferent than ever. The matter is of too little importance to trouble oyer-realiy. Get me out hat pair Of dove cosureI riding breech-