The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1912-07-04
CHAPTER XXI, ! NV
They Send for Claire.

preacher is locked In the parlor."
"By Godl Good! Now we can play
out the game, eh, Captain? Or" turn
ing about suspiciously, and staring al
the other, who sat with eyes shaded
by one hand, are you weakening as the
time draws near?" u
"Hell's fire! Mol We gave her a
choice, and she only laughed at 1t. Ill
go on now to spite the wench; only ]
think we should bring in the boy first.
and prove to her that we've actually
got him."
Fagin emptied the glass In his hand.
giving utterance to an oath as he re-
placed It on the table.
"Yer as chicken-hearted drunk as
sober, Grant," he said coarsely. ibid
yer hear the fool. Jones, an after all
I've told him?"
The bearded man nodded silently.
his eyes shifting from one face to the
other. Fagin grinned, and poured out
another drink.
Nov listen again." he went on, half
angrily. THAT boys worth money
ter us-a thousand pounds--but 1t
wouldn't do Yer any good ter be mixed
UP in the affair. would It? What chance
would yer have In this estate, or fer
yer commission either, II Howe or
Clinton got an inklin' Of yer game!
Good Lord. man! they'd hang yer In
stead OF the other fellow. You'll have
ter lie some as 1t is, reckon, ter ex.
plain why yer left Sir Henry. an came
down here. Have yer got that fact
inter yer brains?"
Grant glared at him wickedly, but
remained silent across the table.
gat yer already In bad enough. without
huntin' more trouble. Better leave tho
boy. alone. / thought. at first, we'd
have ter use him., but don't now. Let
the girl believe he's deserted, and that
yer In n position ter help him., That
win serve yer purpose better than the
other scheme. 1t may awaken her
gratitude. her sweet Lowell"
Damn her Lowell"
$50 Il isn't love, Ell. that makes yeH
so anxious. I thought as much. What
is It, then-revenge?"
Grant held his breath moment. his
duh eyes on the faces OF the two men.
We'll, might as well tell YOU" he
snarled at last II loved her once, l
guess; anyhow wanted her badly
enough. want her now, but not in
Just the same way. want to show
her I'm the master. / want to give
her lesson, and that cub brother of
hers. I'd have got them all. the Col
onel with them. II that damned Col
onial spy hadn't stolen my coat. l had
them, dead to rights, Fagin, and the
papers to prove 1t. Now don't care
how it's done. SO ! get her. thought
shed marry me to save the boy, but
II she won't, why. then. you carry out
your plan-what is it?"
Fagin laughed, again emptying his
glass
Easy. enough. She's alone, except
fer her father, and he can't get ont of
bed. We've got jerks here, an the
damned old coward will do whatever
l tell him"
"But she despises me"
ooh, no! Well make you q victim.
That will leave things In proper shape
between yer two. Well play it off as
a drunken lark--eh, Jones? My God!
II won't be the first time we've done
the trick either. Do you remember
that love-sick couple over at Toms
River, Ned? Never laughed SO much
In my life. This ia better one. Lord
but won't old Mortimer rave. an
mighty little good 1t will do him.
Come, what do yer say, Grant? Are
yer gamer"
'Helrs fire-yes." He got to his |
feet, gripping the back of his chair.
'Bring-bring 'em In; this is good |
place" .q j .nms A. 4
Fagin struck the table with his fist.
"Of course 1t ia, drink ter the bride
after the ceremony. Bill. bring In the |
preacher" tns me53 Il
It. was growing daylight. could |
perceive the glow OF the sky out
the window, but the, candles
stin sputtered on the table, casting
grim lights and shadows on the faces
Of the three men,. As Bill disappeared
into the parlor, stole silently back |
to the library door.
"Tom,'' whispered brieflys...find the |
boys, and bring them In here, through |
that broken window. They are in the |
orchard to the right. and there are no
guards IN front, Move lively, but be
luiet"AS str8 i
What, ia It, Major2" asked young
Mortimer. eagerly. " qsai
Il can't explain now must get
rack where i can see and hear but
here is going to be fight Holdsthe I
men ready here. until call &SSe that
heir weapons are in good order"
] caught the CLINT Of his eye. but
,ould wait no longer Indeed was
carcely back, snnggled under the
'tairs, when Bill came forth. gripping
he collar OF his prisoners coat. ana I
Urging him down the halls crouched
over, the morning light threatening
o reveal my hiding place. yet with
mind, more at ease. now ] knew the
men were close at hand. Within fye,
minutes the entire squad would pc
into that room, eagsF fnr
rounle e .bsgip; Probably ~ elo !