Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1908-03-07
CHAPTER xxu


not take any notice of Dobroski's invi-
tation. Nothing seemed to matter any
longer. Things were going to the bad all
round, and he was in a mood to welcome
and even to hasten the final crash But
in little time his desperation took an
other turn, and he felt fit to join in the
maddest enterprise the old anarchist might
unfold before him. In this mood he set
out, and in this mood he reached Dob
roski, who welcomed him with an air
and manner of almost fatherly affection.
II have asked you to call this morn
ing" he said "for an important reason.
l have received an offer of a hundred
thousand stand Of arms on terms which
are not likely to be secured again. The
present political lull deceives the vend-
ers, who think that no chance of sale i
likely to occur to them for some time.
The arms are stored in New York, and
can be delivered at any time in Ireland.
We are not fit to use them yet, but the
opportunity is one that may never occur
again. This" he went on, taking up a
leather case and unstrapping it as he
talked, lis specimen. The rife is the
Berdan, and was made for the use of the
Russian troops during the Russo Turkish
war. An admirable weapon, little liable
to get out of order, even with unskillful
usage. There are two million cartridges
to be had also. l will show you the
contract, and you will see how very easy
the terms are made 1t may be year or
two before we can venture to strike-it
may be even three or four years-but it
will be well to be in readiness"
Don't bid for the ammunition" said
O'Rourke. For my own part 1 never
shoot with last years cartridges ). and to
take stuff for war that one wouldn't use
even in sport is the sort of thing that
only governments are guilty of. Let the
enemy do that, but let us have our am
munition new. We can order it when we
want it. And that" he added to him
self, won't be in your lifetime, or mine,
old gentleman"
That is wise," said Dobroski march
ing up and down the room with his hands
behind him. That is sensible and prac-
teal. We want practical hands for this
kind of work. A valuable suggestion"
He smiled upon O'Rourke like a father
commanding a son. The smile was so
soft, benevolent and gentle that the pat
riot wondered at it little.
Let us understand each other com
pletely," said O'Rourke, who, desperate
as he had felt himself to be an hour ago,
began to grow cautious again now that
he came face to face with an actual en-
terprise- These arms when purchased
must on no account be introduced into
Ireland until they are actually to be
used. The stroke, when it comes, must
be bold, swift and unexpected. There
must be no sparring beforehand, to put
the enemy upon his guard"
I'VE are as one about that matter"
returned Dobroski you are a little
earlier than l expected you. I named
an hour for you, but in a note which l
dispatched later suggested an hour be-
skoff and to Mr.. Frost, who will &C
company him. When they arrive we can
discuss business formally. They will be
here almost directly"
Almost as he spoke there came a knock
at the door, and minute later the maid
of the house brought in card.
"Show the gentleman this way" said
Dobroski, when he had glanced at 1t. IL
have call from your old friend Mr..
Farley. 1t will be but an affair of a few
minutes" He rose to meet his visitor,
and received him cordially. you had my
note? That is well. 1 have your old
friend Mr.. O'Rourke here" The old
friends bowed like old enemies, and Dob
roski looked from one to the other in
some confusion. "Ha !" he said, to cover
his momentary awkwardness. THE child
How do you do, little sir? We are old
acquaintance, you and 1. Will you
shake hands? The brave little man. Sit
here a while, dear little one"
O'Rourke had turned his back upon
host and guest, and was staring out of the
window. Farley was pulling at his mus
tache and holding himself with unusual
erectness. Dobroski looked uneasily at
either Of them.
"Will you walk this way, sir?" he said,
addressing Farley. The novelist bowed
somewhat stifly and followed him to the
next room, which was evidently the old
mans workshop.
Having reclosed the door, and taking
heap of manuscripts from one of the
drawers Of the table, he sat down and be-
gan to talk in so picturesque and animat-
ed fashion that Farley forgot all about
the treacherous old friend and new enc
my in the next room. Neither noticed a
new summons at the street door or heard
voices in the next room.
"Mr. Dobroski is engaged for the mo-
ment," said O'Rourke, when Frost and
the good Wroblewskof came in together.
(To be continued.l