The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1908-03-27
CONTINUED from last week.
CHAPTER VIII.

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 hatched behind those pierre
ing eyes, which, If they continued to
twinkle about the Renwyck place,
would shortly discover many things.
Richard sighed and ficked the stump
of his cigarette away. He rose and
was about to pass into the house when
he was met il the doorway by Mr..
Renwyck.
"Croyland," said his host impressive
ly, "there is a little matter which
should like to talk over with you, and
i have purposely waited until the la
dies retired"
Richard fancied there was certain
grimness in Mr.. Renwyck's tone and
jumped to swift conclusion. He was
found out. He wished to avoid a
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 porch?'
mo-" said the old gentleman; 81
don't care 10 be overheard by any of
the servants. If you don't mind walk
ing We'll move away from the house."
Richard was convinced. He was
sure that when Jacob Renwyck eX-
pressed a candid opinion Of any one
especially an impostor-he would find
it 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.
He 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 q 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 it
flashed into his mind that Mr.. Rem
wyck was probably DO better provided
than he in that misunderstanding
thought!
Suddenly Mr.. Renwyck unclasped
MS hands and transferred one of them
his breast pocket. Richard caught
hit of bullying projection-it was
re then!
was on the point of Selling his
is wrist when the latter brought
h brown covered case.
Have a cigar" he said. with crafty
diality, and Richard accepted, with
u. gaze still concentrated on Mr.. Rem
wyck's hands.
"LightY"
"Thank you, no." the Texan answer
ed. "I'll smoke it dry for awhile, If
you don't mind"
The trick was an old one He had
seen 1t worked along the Rio Grande.
A Mexican had presented a cheroot to
a COW puncher, who. after lighting it.
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 q seat beside him on q smooth fat
stone on the edge of the cliff. Richard
accepted, but cautiously slid his foot
to point behind Mr.. Renwyck's leg,
with the aim of overturning his enc
my backward at the first sign of
treachery.
"Croyland," he began abruptly, 1--WE
taken q fancy to you somehow, and
I'm going to prove it by putting you
on the inside of little business DEAL"
"a business deal?" gasped Richard
In unfeigned surprise.
Eyes, !" nodded the old gentleman,
putting thougbtfully at his cigar. ''Of
course don't know how you are fixed
financially, nor have l any intention
of asking impertinent questions. but If
you care to come with me in a trans
action In which / myself have invested
largely I can put you in the way of
making quite snug little sum-"
Richard withdrew his foot from be-
hind Mr.. Renwyck's leg and In the
darkness strove to 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
gazing out across the Hudson. us 1t
what you calI-er-a fiierr
"Well. no." said. the old enancler.
Its more than that It's a dead GER
taInty, and I'm on the inside. Let me
explain. To begin with, II is a deep