The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1911-03-23
THEDIAMoND SHIP
MAX PEMBERTON
1.-THE Hundred Days" eta
Copyright D.. Appleton Co.

/ and leaned back in his chair to survey
me with closer circumspection.
THE great DR.. Fabos OF London"
he repeated. there in the house of the
| poor old Imroth! How / am compli-
mented: how I am honored! The
great English doctor who has followed
poor old man all round the world, and
| has come here to beg q favor of him
at last! Repeat your question, doctor
ask me many times. The words are
music to me. drink them in like wine
the words of my dear friend the doc
tor; how shall ever forget them?"
1t was horrible to hear him cacklc;
more horrible still to remember that a
single word Of his uttered aloud to the
men who watched us (for l believe that
we were watched) would have cost me
my life upon the instant. How to con-
tinue hardly knew. Long minutes
passed and found him still worming
and cackling In the chair as an old bag
above a reddening fire. / had nothing
further to say--it was for him to pro-
coed.
Yes, Yes. my dear" he continued
presently. And you would know the
story of little Joan Fordibras! How
small the world Is that we should meet
here in this shabby house. And so you
come to me after all for help! 1t Is
Imroth who must put you to the bridal
bed; Imroth who shall save the little
girl for her lover. All, my dear, what
thing Is love- and what fools are men!
The great rich doctor to leave his home
and friends, his country, to spend the
half of his fortune upon ship-all
for love, and that he might see me
again l have never heard a better
thing-it is something to have lived
for this.
He repeated this many times as
though the very words were meat and
drink to him. / began to perceive that
he was the victim of ar inordinate
vanity, and that my own failure was
dearer to him than a gift Of millions
would have been.
do / want money!" he asked pres
emily, turning upon me almost savage
ly. .Heaven hear me, 1t is as dirt
beneath my feet. Do want fine
houses, halls of marble, and gowns of
silk? Look at the rom in which live,
Consider my circumstances, my fortune!
my riches. the clothes upon my back,
the servants who wait upon me!
Money. no-but to see the great meni
humbled-to. strike at their fortunes,
at their hearts; ah. that is something
would die for! Here tonight
my reward begins. The great DR.. Fa-,
hos comes to me upon his knees to beg,
me the gift OF woman's heart. Howl
many have so come since I was thisl
by his people, fool, living honestly.
worshipper in temples made by man 2!
And to all have said, % say to him,
no, thousand times, no! Get youI
gone from me as they have gone. Admit
that am your master after ALI
Live to remember me-bear the brand
upon your heart So / answer you,
DR.. Fabos. Such are my words to YOU
the last time we shall ever meet, wh0
knows. perhaps, the last day you may,
have to live"
He, leaned forward. and from his eyeii
there seemed to shine a light Of all the
fires of evil that have ever burned I'M
human breast. No man, believe, has
listened to such a threat as he uttered
against me this night The very tones
OF it could freeze the blood at the
heart; the gestures were those of one
who lusted for human blood with all
the Yoracity Of an animal. l will not
deny that / shivered while I heard
him. Remember the remote farmhouse
the lonely marsh, the silence of the
night. the stake at issue between us,
Who shall wonder IL my words wera
slow to come?
."You threaten me-" I said with some
composure. ''and yet. l should have
thought the hour for threats had not
come. l am here to ask you to do mel
a service. but at the same time to sug-,
gest an equivalent that might not be-
unacceptable to you. Let us considerl
the matter In a purely business light,l
and see il we cannot arrive at an un-'
lderstanding. You must be perfectly,
aware that / do not come empty
handed"
He interrupted me with a savage
cry, so startling that it amazed me.
FOOL" he cried; II am the MASTER
OF the fortunes Of kings. What can
you bring that is Of any value to me p"
/ answered him Immediately:
1.-THE liberty Of your wife, Lisette,
who was arrested In Vienna this morn
ing!"
1t was as though had struck a
blow at his heart The cry that es-
capped his lips might have come from
the very depths of hell; have never
seen human face so distorted by the
conflicting passions Of love and hate
and anger. Gasping, a horrid sound
Fin his throat. he staggered to his feet
and felt nervously for the cudgel at
his side-the great hound leaped UP
and stiffened every limb.