Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1908-06-19
CHAPTER XIV.

the old man eyed his son with a
strange, conflicting mixture of reproach
and parental love.
"Dlcky," he sighed, I'm glad to see
you all right my boy. but you've given
your poor old dad heap OF worry.
Now. what's all this mess aboutr
The greeting between father and son
was brief, because the bombshell reve-
lation Of the sons identity brought
another powerful actor to the fore. To
Harriet 1t had come az tingling re-
lief, for In fash she understood why
Richard had concealed his name and
she found herself smiling happily In
answer to his fathers courteous bow,
but to Jacob Renwyck the effect was
far more serious, lnasmuch as he
seemed to be the target at which this
particular shell was aimed. In speech
less rage he glared at his former col
league, glared also at the son and
finally glared more fiercely still at
Michael Corrlgan, who advanced. with
a smile OF greeting, to the visitor.
Hello Bill! How are your" he be-
gan cordially as he shook the others
mighty fist.
Hello, Mixer was the return greet
Ing. where's the tarantula that calls
my boy thiefr'
He did not await an answer, but
turned instinctiyely toward his enemy,
and for an instant the two fearless
promoters stood sizing up each other
In utter silence; then Jacob Renwyck
spoke
81 do" he cried as II flashed upon
him how Richard might have used his
information In the harbor deal. IL
do, you villain, and ! include you In
the charge! You sent your son to spy
upon me. TO steal my plans by mis-
cradle, underhand fraud You
Jacob, JacobY walled Mrs. Rem
wyck. BE careful what you say,
pleaser'
"s-shw admonished Uncle Michael.
Don't spoil the fun. Julia. Let the
old boys 20 II. It'll do 'em good"
The old boys In question proceeded
TO 20 II, but not for tho sake OF fun.
nor did II seem to do them any good
whatever. When Mr.. Renwyck paused
to catch his breath Bill Williams saw
his chance and took tho floor
"why. you old spawned skate" he
Numbered. doubling up his hairy nst.
''don't think that you can cover up
your tracks by abusing mo or my boy
either You tricked me away from
Texas on blind trail, that's what you
did, while your buccaneering dummies
jumped my claim In Austinl Fooled
me on a cold scent, did you, you forf
Well. III have your brush yet n have
TO auction OF my last stump tailed
steer to do itr'
Dear mew quavered the horriHed
Miss Schermerly. what frightful Ian
Ruage"
Extra wd 'n'ryr nodded the British
ambassador. who had not the remotest
idea what II was all about. Most eI-
trawdn'ry. Pom my wordr'
The two gladlators were now the
center OF Il human ring, which gather
ed closer aud closer about them, each
glowering At his hated adversary, each
waiting for the final crash to come
81 didn't!" shouted Mr.. Renwyck
"You did, the Texan beloved In
nat contradiction. why did you call
my son a thiefT'
Mr Renwyck looked abashed.
We'll" he hedsed. perhaps ! was
wrong In that. Ii apologize"
Wont do" stormed the angry cat.
tie king You've got to settle this
with me- Understand me, sir-with
mer'
Matters between the two frenzied
nnanciers, both equally courageous
and both equally cnraged had by this
time risen to an alarming pitch. and
II dsvolved upon Mr.. Corrlgan TO pre-
vent personal encounter. A tele
graph messenger had come TO the door
and the lawyer himself received the
dispatch. He tore open the envelope
glanced Rt the coutents. smiled and
turned TO the two contestants,
'Genticmen. gentlemen." he urged
you can accomplish nothing by tear
ing each other 10 pieccs. l suggest
that We dismiss the major porton OF
our audience, then settle this dispute
IN the bosom OF our respective. gentle
minded families"
Evcn MIR. Renwyck saw the wisdom
OF this sage suggestion. and In a mo
ment more the detectives and Mr., Par
ker were requested 10 wait outside
while the servants were for the tim,
dismissed. There remained In the hail
besides the active threads OF the hope
less snArl. Sir Rodney Uickwich, Miss
Schermerly aud Miss Sompton. Both
ladies, being like members " the fam
Ny-not 10 refer TO their human fem
inine curiosity--made no move 20 leave
but the British ambassador, glad OF
any excuse. took mp his hat and gloves
He rather tancied that he had happen
ed upon some private though loosely
conducted ssuitarium, and during thi,
temporary lull In the tempest he tap
ped Richard ON the shoulder and sal,
m shaking tone: