The Clovis news. [volume] (Clovis, N.M.) 1907-1929, 1912-06-13
oAAprER xl.-lcontInued.l

"And ye have to propose
"A plan after your own heart; l do
your courage the credit to believe It,
monsieur. With another man, whom
had studied less exhaustively' !
should propose a combination OF
forces, a division Of profits" O'Rourke
made an impatient gesture. But with
you. Colonel OfRourke, no. J esteem
your address and determination too
highly and-pardon me If ! speak
plainly despise and hate you too
utterly to become willingly your part
ner."
GO OIL begin TO like ye better.
Ye grow interesting"
THAT does not Interest me.
The situation, then. is sfmplihed. Es-
sentially it involves two propositions:
arst. we cannot combine; second, di-
vided we both fail, While both Of us
live. mon colonel, the Pool Of Flame
will never earn its value"
otis lneself takes exception to
that. Let me once get me hands on
che stone. monsieur. and III back me
self against a dozen vicomtes-and
honorables."
while live" the Frenchman stat
ed. %unrufied; you will not touch the
Pool of Flame; while you live, ] AN
not dispose of it to the best ADJ
vantage. 1t would seem chat one or
the other OF us must die"
Il am armed" remarked O'Rourke
slowly. IF ye mean we've brought me
here to murder me-"
Monsieur speaks-pardon-crude-
~. asked you, you came OF your
own will-to fight for the Pool OF
Flame" O'Rourke started; a CLINT OF
understanding danced IN his eager
eyes. Il see you catch my meaning.
What ! have to propose is this: you
will take pen and paper and write
the name of the person who offers the
reward. with his address. This you
will enclose In an envelope. seal, and
place in your pocket The Pool OF
Flame-you see ! trust you-is here. Z"
O'Rourke got upon his feet with an
exclamation. the vicomte was play
ting a bold hand Before the lrishman
had grasped his intention be had
thrown upon the table a ruby as large.
or larger, than an egg an exquisite
Jewel, superbly cut and polished.
Fascinated. O'Rourke remembered
himself ami sat down
You see" The vicomte's cold in
cisive tones cut the silence. Slowly
he extended a hand and took up the
great ruby. replacing II In his pocket.
There is" he said evenly. a level
stretch OF grass beyond the veranda.
The night, ! admit, is dark. but the
light from these long windows should
be sufficient for us. II you Stay me.
take the ruby and go In peace: this
sot'-with a c-ontomptuous glance at
the unconscious honorable-'will new
or hinder you II you die. ! take the
note from yorr pocket The issue 10
fair WIN you fight lrishmanf'
O'Rourke's fist crashed upon the
table as he rose. Fight" he cried.
Faith. / did not think ye had this in
20 Pistols, shall Il he2"
Thank you, said the vioomte. with
q courtly bow. but am an lndiney-
ent shot Had you chosen rapiers al
Mente Carlo one Of US would never
have left the Geld alive"
lie went to d side table, returning
with a sheet OF paper. an envelope,
peu and ink And when ORourke had
slipped the paper into his pocket be
saw the vicomte waitirg for him by
one Of the windows. two naked ra.
piers. slender and cleaning and iong.
beneath his arm AS ,he lrishmau
came up. With a bow, the Frenchman
presented the hits Of both weapons
for his choice.
Together and 10 silence they iefi
the dining-room strobe across the YER