Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1908-05-14

twinkle about the Renwyck place,
would shortly discover many things
Richard sighed and clicked the stump
of his cigarette away. He rose and
was about to pass into the house when
he was met In the doorway by Mr.
Renwyck.
"Croyiand." said his host impressive
ly, "there is little matter which /
should like to talk over with you, aud
/ have purposely waited until the In.
dies retired"
Richard fancied there was a certain
grimness in Mr.. Renwyck's tone and
jumped to swift conclusion. He was
found out. He wished TO avoid a
scene II possible, but from what his
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. "Shal we sit here on
the porchf"
NO" said the old gentleman; II
don't care TO be overheard by any of
the servants. If you don't mind walk
ing Wen move away from the house"
Richard was convinced lie was
sure that when Jacob Renwyck ex.
pressed candid opinion of any one
especially an impostor-he would dnd
II difficult TO speak In whispers. II
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 avn toward a little obsery-
atory or pleasure house on the crest
of bluff overlooking the m0onlit 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 We're 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 a match for Mr.. Renwyck,
but the latter had probably armed
himself for the occasion, trifiing pre-
caution which would not have escaped
the southerner And Richard then
and there resolved never again to put
on a 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 II
flashed into his mind that Mr.. Rem
wyck was probably no better provided
than he in that reassuring
thought!
Suddenly Mr.. Renwyck unclasped
his hands and transferred one of them
to his breast pocket. Richard caught
sight of a bullying projection-it was
there then!
He was on the point OF seizing his
hosts wrist when the latter brought
forth a brown covered case.
"Have a cigar" he said, with crafty
cordiality, and Richard accepted, with
his gaze still concentrated on Mr. Ren.
wyck's hands.
"Llghtf"
"Thank you, no." the Texan answer
ed. 'I'll smoke 1t 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
cow puncher, who. after lighting 1t,
found himself looking into the muzzle
of an overgrown Colts-and a Texan
learns to profit by observation as well
al experience.
Mr.. Renwyck now invited his guest
to seat beside him on a smooth fat
stone on the edge Of the cliff. Richard
accepted. but cautiously slid his foot
to a 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, "I've
taken q fancy to you somehow, and
I'm going to prove 1t by putting you
on the inside OF little business deal"
"a business deal2" gasped Richard
In unfeigned surcxise.
"Yes," nodded the old gentleman,
putting thoughtfully at his cigar. "Of
course / don't know how you are fixed
financially, nor have I any intention
Of asking impertinent questions, but II
you care to come with me In trans
action In which l 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 a
coward, but careful skater on thin
ice.
that's very clever Of You. indeed"
hs answered. lighting his perfecto and
gazing out across the Hudson "Is II
what you call-er--a fiier7"
"Well, no." said the old financier.
ITS more than that. It's dead GER
tainty, and I'm on the inside. Let me
explain. To begin with, II In q deep
water harbor enterprise in the state of
Texas"
Richard pricked up his ears. and Mr.
Renwyck continued:
fro m CONTINUED