Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-09-05
NO doubt or a whatever. Mr clai-


And | knew as much about NJ.
Chauvenet as did about you or as
do about you"
What you know Of him. Mr.. Clai-
borne. is OF no consequence. And what
you don't know about me would fiji
large volume. How did you get here.
and what do you propose doing now
that you are here? am In a hurry
and have no time 10 waste ~ can't
get anything satisfactory out OF YOU
within two minutes I'm going to chuck
you back into the sack"
Il came up here in the hills 20 look
fer yOu-you-yOu, Do YOU under
standT' began Claiborne angrily. And
as / was riding along the road about
two miles from here | ran into three
men on horseback. When stopped 10
parley with them and find out what
they were doing they crept up on me
and grabbed my horse and put that
sack over my head. They had mlstak-
en- me for you, and they brought me
mere. into your house. and pulled the
sack OF and were decidedly disagreed
be at finding they bad made a mis-
! take. One OF them had gone in 20 ran
sack your effects. and when they pull
ed on the bag and disclosed the wrong
hare he dropped his loot on the door.
and then ] told them 10 go 10 the
devil. and hope they've done Il. When
you came in | was picking up your
traps, and : submit that the sword is
handsome enough 10 challenge any
bOdy's eye. And there's all there is OF
the story. and l don't care whether
you believe il or not"
Their eyes were fixed upon each 9th
er in a gaze OF anger and resentment.
Suddenly Armitage's tense figure re-
Taxed. the fierce light @1n his eyes gave
way TO a CLEAN OF humor, and he
laughed long and loud
Your face-your face, Claiborne It's
funny. It's too funny for any use.
When your teeth show. it's something
CHASTITY. For Gods sake. go In there
and wash your facer'
He made light in his own room and
piled Claiborne with towels, while he
continued 10 break forth occasionally
iu fresh bursts OF laughter. When
they went into the hall both men were
grave.
Claiborne
Armitage put out his hand. and CIal-
borne took IL in a vigorous clas
You don't know who am or what
am. and I haven't got time 20 tell you
now. It's a long story. and / have
much 10 do. but I swear 20 you. Clai-
borne. that my hands are clean: that
the game l am playing is no affair OF
my own, but a big thing that I have
pledged myself 90 carry through. ]
want You 20 ride down there In the
valley and keep Marhof quiet for
few hours. Tell him / know more OF
what's going on IN Vienna than he does
and that II he viii only sit in a rock
ing chair and tell you fairy stories till
morning we can all be happy. Is IL a
bargain-or-must still hang your
head down the we'll TN get Trough
"Marhof may go 20 the devil! He's a
lot more mysterious than even you.
| ArmitaEe. These fellows that brought
me up here TO Kill me In the belief that
l was you cannot be friends OF Mar
hof's cause"
They are not assure you they are
not. They are blackguards OF the black
est dye"
Il believe you. Armitage."
Thank you. Now your horse IS AZ
the door. Run along like a good fel-
low"
Armitage dlved into his room. caught
up a cartridge belt and reappeared
buckIing it on.
oscar" he yelled. bring in that
coffee with cups for two"
lie kicked of his boots and drew on
light shoes and leggings
Light marching orders for the rough
places. Con:ound that buckle"
lie rose and stamped his feet 20 set
tie the shoes.
Your horse is at the door. That ras-
cal Oscar Will take of the blanket for
You. There's n bottle OF fair whisky in
the cupboard. II you'd like nip before
starting. Bless me. l forgot the coffee!
There on the table. Oscar. and never
mind the chairs" he added as Oscar
came In with tin pot and the cups on
a piece OF plank.
I'm taking the rife. Oscar. AID be
sure those revolvers are loaded with
the real goods"
There was a great color In Armi-
tage's face as he STROBE about prepar-
ing TO leave His eyes danced with ex-
element. and between the sentences
that he jerked out half TO himself he
whistled n few bars from a comic opera
that was making a record run on
Broadway. His steps rang out vigor-
ously from the bare pine floor.
Watch the windows. Oscar. You
may forgive n general anything but
surprise Isn't that so. Claiborne?
And those fellows must be pretty mad
by this time. Excuse the coffee serv-
Ice. Claiborne. We always pour the
sugar from the paper bag-original
package. you understand And see II
you can't find Captain Claiborne a hat.
Oscar"
With tin cup Of steaming coffee in
his hand he sat on the table dangling
his legs, his hat on the back OF his
head, the cartridge belt strapped about
his waist over a brown corduroy hunt
ing coat. He was In a high mood and
chaffed Oscar as 20 the probability or
their breakfasting another morning.