Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1908-04-17
luiet he was most dangerous.

quiet he was most dangerous.
"NIlght | inquire as to the reason Of
your present condition. asked his
master.
yes" answered Bills airily, but
nevertheless in quite open defiance;
inc an you as got to part company.
Mr.. Williams"
"Ahw
Eyes, 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
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-
ton and was determined to make the
most Of it, as was shown by his next
remark.
"Mr. Williams" he began, with the
confidence of holding the whip hand,
Pm not disposed to make trouble,
sir, though it do go against me to be
deceivin' people. I've got no complaint
ag'inst my present dooties, Mr.. VIII
| liams. sir, an special so as they Is
| light" Richard made no answer, and
Bills continued, Il might say l
might-be indooced to stay on, sir, for
small advance of two hundud pun,
with promise of another one to
| come"
81 dare say you might" assented
| Richard, with ironic calm quite lost
upon the man. Anything else?"
yes sir. fancy Mr.. Renwyck
would do as well as that - maybe
more"
probably" agreed Richard. Hes
richer than l and inclined to be more
generous. Try it by all means. Bills.
| should hate to stand in the way Of
your making an honest penny or two"
The Texan began to undress, while
the surprised valet stared at him in
wonder He had rather expected a
scene. but his masters easy acceptance
of the Matchmaking scheme took him
unawares. He was completely non
plused by this seemingly Indifferent
reception of his statement. nis bomb
she'll which he h; J charged so elabo,
rately, seemed to be hanging fire He
was not so sure that Mr.. Renwyck
| would pay for his information after
all and a bird in the hand is worth
many on the wing. especially to an in
ebriate. whose facilities for bird catch
ing are limited.
"Td-I'd rather stay with you, sir"
he faltered presently. with a sugges-
ton OF compromise. not to say sur
render, IN his tones.
Suit Yourself" smiled Richard gen
tally. more Indifferent than ever.
"The matter is of too little importance
to trouble over-really. Get me out
that pair of dove colored riding breech-
es, so long as you are here. will you?"
The valet brought the desired article
and looking his master squarely in the
face summoned the last vestige of his
artificially supplied courage and made
a final bold attempt at Matchmaking
him:
| VIII you give lue TWO uuuuuu pun.
sir. or won't you. nOw?"
Couldn't think of it." laughed the
Texan lightly. 81 made a bargain with
you, and you break it at your own risk.
Now. bring me Lord Croyland's second
best pair of riding boots. The new
ones are a triie small and pinch my
toes damnably. That's right. Thank
you" He looked up with a happy
smile. cts your deal. Woolsey. What
do you contemplate doing next?"
The valet had been thinking hard.
He had one more shaft in his culver
and believed 1t would reach its mark.
1--WE decided SIR" he stated as he
staggered across the room, mot to
say nothink to Mr.. Renwyck at all.
The information might be worth u
good deal more to Mr. Renwyck' s
daughter"
Richard wanted to strangle him on
the spot; yet, strange to say, he acted
very differently.
"Ah" he exclaimed, with a look o.
open admiration. ~ had thought OF
that, but forgot to mention it. Pardon