The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1912-05-09
CHAPTER xl.-(contlnued.)

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
1 had studied less exhaustively.
should propose a combination OF
forces, a division of profits" O'Rourke
made an impatient gesture. But with
you, Colonel O'Rourke, no. l 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-. A..
The situation, then, is simplif1ed. Els
sentially it involves two propositions:
FIRST, we cannot combine; second, d.
vided we both fail. While both Of us
live, mon colonel, the Pool Of Flame
will never earn its value"
"'Tis meself takes exception to
that. Let me once get me hands on
the stone, monsieur. and III back me-
self against a dozen vtcomtes-and
honorables."
while l live" the Frenchman stat.
ed, unruf1ed; you will not touch the
Pool of Flame; while you live, l can.
not dispose of it to the best adj
vantage. 1t would seem that M or
the other of us must die"
II am armed" remarked O'Rourke
slowly, IF We 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 sec you catch my meaning.
What l 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 I trust you-is here
O'Rourke got upon his feet with an
exclamation; the vicomte was play
ing a bold hand. Before the Irishman
had grasped his intention he 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 and 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 it in his pocket
There Is" he said evenly, +" a leve!
stretch of grass beyond the veranda
The night. l admit, is dark, but the
light from these long windows should
be sufficient for us. If you STAY me
take the ruby and go in peace: this
set"-with a contemptuous glance al
The unconscious honorable-"w1ll new
er hinder you. If you die, | take the
note from your pocket The issue Ii
fair. Will you fight. Irishman?"
O'Rourke's fist crashed upon the
table as he ose Fight" he cried
Faith, l did not think ye had this ii
ye. Pistols. shall it he?"
THANK you," said the vicomte, will
q courtly bow, but l am an indifrer
ent shot. Had you chosen rapiers a,
Monte Carlo one Of us would never
have left the field alive"
He went to a side table. returning
with a sheet of paper. an envelope
pen and ink. And when O'Rourke hat
slipped the paper into his pocket hi
saw the vicomte waiting for him BY
ons of the windows. two naked ra
pte.a, slender and cleaning and long
beneath his arm. AS the Irishmal
came up, with a bow. the Frenchma1
~ioresented the hilts OF both weapon,
Cor his choice.
Together and in silence they lief
tts.. a!ninE.Toom. strobe across the yer