The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1909-07-03
twinkling what he must do. It

twinkling what he must do. IT
only nettled him that he could not
act in the matter except through
Seager, who would doubtless seek
to despoil him of some part of his
fair profit. But he felt confident
that he could overcome his accom-
plice il any battle of wits.
ASK the Duke how much he's
willing to pay for the safe return
of the Duchess" he said suddenly,
and Seager lay back in his chair
with quick chuckle Of amuse-
ment.
Faith, you're a downy old bird,
Dirck," said he admiringly. ut
will be ia wet day when you
haven't a card or two up your
sleeve. And so you've given up
hope of scooping in the jackpot,
have you? How about me? Share
and shares my motto, you know"
you ask him the question"
growled Arendsen threateningly,
and Seager turned to the Due with
a serious face, fixing in his own
mind the lowest figure he would
accept for himself in such a trans
action. He had long ago learned
that the Due was reputed a rich
man in France.
Monsieur thought long and earn
estly ere replying. That was not
the first time he had had to do
with blackmailers, and he judged
that no small sum would satisfy
the two who had thus bearded him
in his own den. He had also re-
pented already his hasty condemna-
ton of the Duchess, his first sus-
picion that she had befooled him.
And it seemed that the younger of
the two scoundrels confronting
him was that same cousin who, but
for him, might have shared with
her the dead Americans millions.
He foresaw heavy drain on his
purse, but was prepared to meet
that II he could not otherwise sue
cor the innocent victim of his own
i'll doing. He had almost groaned
aloud at thought of what she might
have suffered in their hands.
"He asks how much we are will
ing to take" Seager explained to
Arendsen as soon as the Due had
spoken, and looked curiously across
at his fellow conspirator.
at will cost him a hundred thou
sand francs to settle with me-"
said that individual decisively.
And, look here, Seager! Be very
careful what you're about. I've
stood all I'm going to stand from
you. 1t will be the very worst
nights work you ever did if you
spoil this deal"
Seager's face fell. He would fain
have exacted an equal amount for
himself, but the cold menace in his
confederate's kissing speech caused
him no little uneasiness, and he
deemed it wise to be moderate in
his demands.
81 can't start life all over again
with less than ten thousand dol
lars" he snarled, land don't you
forget, Arendsen, that what you
draw from the pool clears up all
old scores between you and me-
"WeIl take a hundred and fifty
thousand francs,' he told the Due
brusquely And you needn't hae-
gle about 1t, my friend. Let me
tell you that my cousin is cheap at
the price, even without my uncle's
money-money that by rights is
mine. You'll give us your cheque
for a hundred and fifty thousand
Well take you to where she Is and
you'll etay there with her till we've
drawn the cash."
The Due did not hesitate. The
payment of such a ransom would
pinch him most sorely, but he
could see no other resource. And
1t was no time for bargaining.
"Bien, Monsieur" he agreed. 81
shall write you a cheque at once
II you will allow me, and-you will
restore the Duchess to me to-
night?''
Seager NODDED sulkily, stung by
the thought that he might have
had more for the asking.
you'll write two cheques" he
stipulated. "One for a hundred
thousand, the other for fifty. And
you'll give us your sacred word of
honor not to modest us in any way,
either now or afterwards. Here's
pen and ink. Don't waste time"
(To be cOntinued.)