The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1912-06-13
CHAPTER xl.-(continued.)

And ye have to propose!
"A plan after your own heart; l d.
your courage the credit to believe 1t
monsieur. With another man, whom
had studied less exhaustively.
should propose combination OF
forces, division of profits" O'Rourke
made an impatient gesture. But with
you. Colonel O'Rourke. no. 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 on begin to like We better.
Ye grow interesting"
THAT does not interest me.
The situation, then, is simplitied. Is
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"
Ills meself takes exception to
that. Let me once get me hands on
the stone, monsieur. and I'll back me-
self against a dozen vicomtes-and
honorables."
while i've the Frenchman stat
ed, unruf1ed; you will not touch the
Pool of Flame; while you live, can.
not dispose Of it to the best ad-
vantage. 1t would seem that one or
tie other OF us must die"
Il am armed" remarked O'Rourke
slowly. If We mean we've brought me
here to murder me-"
Monsieur -pardon-crude-
ly. asked you. you came of your
own will-to fight for the Pool of
Flame" ORourke started: CLINT of
understanding danced in his eager
eyes i 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
seward, with his address. This YOU
Will enclose in an envelope, seal. and
place in your pocket The Pool Of
F1ame-you see l trust you-is here "
O'Rourke got upon his feet with an
exclamation; the vicomte was play.
Ing bold hand. Before the Irishman
had grasped his intention he had
drown upon the table 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.
cls'vc tones cut the silence. Slowly
lie extended hand and took up the
great ruby. replacing it in his pocket.
There is" he said evenly. 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 slay me.
take the ruby and go in peace: this |
sot'-with contcmptuous glance at |
the unconscious honorable-''will new.
er hinder you. II you die, | take the
note from your pocket The issue is
fair viii you fight. Irishman?"
O'Rourke's fist crashed upon the
table as he rose, Flight" he cried.
Faith. did not think We had this in
ye Pistols. shall it he?"
Thank you." said the vicomte, with
a court!y how, but am an indifrer-
en-. shot, Had you chosen rapiers at
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.
per and ink. And when O'Rourke had
slipped the paper into his pocket he
sa" the vicomte waiting for him by
one OF the windows. two naked "a
piers, slender and cleaning anS long.
beneath his arm. As the Ir.shman
came up. With bow, the Frenchman
presented the hits of both weapons
'pr mis- choice.
Together and In silence they left
M dinine-room. strobe across the YER.