Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1908-04-02

good deal as he went about his work, an
cogitated deeply in manner which wa
once again distinctly undesirable in s.
very INTEL gent subordinate.
These broodings and cogtations culmi
mated in Il meeting, which was held ,,
him with his two sub-agcnts in the privat
parlor of the Digger's Retreat. 1t was
low rooted, Smokestained room. Roun'
a solid, old-fashioned table in the center
Of this apartment sat Ezras staff of "a
sistants, the parson thoughtful, but self
satisfied, the others sullen and inquisitive
Farintosh had convened the meeting, an
his comrades had an idea that there was
something in the wind. They waited TO,
him to speak.
Well the ex-clergyman said at last
the game is nearly over and We'll not be
wanted any more. Girdlestone's off to
England in a day or two"
Burt and Williams groaned sympathct-
ically. Work was scarce in the diggings
during the crisis, and their agencies mad
been paying them well.
Yes, he's off," Farintosh went on,
gancing keenly at his companions, "anl
he takes with him five and thirty thousand
pounds worth of diamonds that we
bought for him. We have to do the work,
and then are thrown aside as you would
throw your pick aside when you are done
with it. When he sells out in London
and makes his pile, it won't much matter
to him that the three men who helped him
are starving in Griqualand."
Wont he give us somethin' at part
imp asked Burt, the navy. He was a
savage looking, hairy man. with brick
cclored face and overhanging eyebrows.
Wont he give us nothing to remem-
brance him by"
Give you something" Farintosh sail
with a sneer. why, man, he says you
are too we'll paid already
Does he, thought" cried the navy.
lushing even redder than nature lad
made him. rs that the way he SPEAKS
after we makes him? 1t amt on the
square. | likes to see things honest an
above board betwixt man an man, and
this. pitchin' of them as. has helpe ye
over amt that"
Farintosh lowered his voice and bent
further over the table. His companions
involuntarily initiated his movement, un.
til the three cunning cruel faces were
looking closely into one another's eyes.
Nobody knows that he holds those
stones,' said Farintosh. He's too smart
to let it out to any one by ourselves"
Where does he keep emp asked the
Welshman.
'In a safe in his room. This" said
Farntosh, taking small key from his
pocket, "is a duplicate and will open he
safe l took a moulding from his key
while l was speaking to him."
The navy laughed hoarsely. IF that
don't lick creation for smartness" he
cried. And how are we to get to this
safe? 1t would serve him right if we
collar the lot. It'll teach him that IL he
amt honest by nature he's got to he
when he deals with the like of us. l like
and III have~it!' He |
brought his great fist down upon the table /
TO emphasize this commendable sentiment. |
Its not an easy matter Farintosh |
said thoughtfuly. When he goes out he
ocks his door and there's no getting in
It the window There's only one chance
,or us that | can see. His room is bit
,ut off from the rest of the hotel. There's
gallery of twenty feet or more than
eads to it. Now, l was thinking that
( the three of us were to visit him some
vening, just to wish him luck on his jour
ley, as it were, and if, while we were in
he room something sudden was to happen
7hch would knock him silly for minute
r two, we might walk off with the
tones and be clean gone before he could
aise an alarm"
And what would knock him silly?"
sked Williams. He was an unhealthy,
youth, and his pallid
omplexon had assumed a greenish tinge
fear as he listened to the clergyman's
ords. He had the makings in him of
ean and dangerous criminal, but not of
violent one-belonging to the jackal
'ibe rather than to the tiger
rought his great fist down upon the table
Burt laughed again in his bushy I'D
aard You can leave that to me, mate"
: said. 7
Meet here at eight o'clock tomorrow
ght," said the leader. I'VE can get it {
'er by nine, and we will have the night {
II our escape. I'll have the horses ,
ady, and it will be strange if we don't
t such a start as will puzzle them"
So having arranged all the details of :,
cir little plan, these three gentlemen
parted in different directions, Farintosh
the Oriental Hotel to give Ezra his |
enng report, and the others to the min S
6 camps, which were the scenes of their 6
bors. T
Ito be continued) .