Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1912-04-26
CHAPTER Tl.-(continued.)

And we have to propose!
"A plan after your own heart; L 90
gour courage the credit to believe II,
monsieur. With another man. whom
I had studied less exhaUStlvely, 1
should propose coordination OF
forces, a division of profits" O'Rourke
made an impatient gesture. But Win
you, Colonel ORourke, no. esteem
vour address and determination too
highly and-pardon me Ii | 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 simplified. Es-
sentially it involves two propositions:
first we cannot combine; second. d.
vided we both fail While both of us
tive. mon colonel, the Pool of Flame
will never earn its value"
IT'S meself takes exception to
that. Let me once get me hands on
the stone, monsieur. and I'll back me-
sell against uoZeu NlSoAHl0S oho
honorables."
While | live" the Frenchman stat
Cd, unruffied; 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
the other of us must die.
Il am armed" remarked O'Rourke
slowly, IF We mean we've brought me
here to murder me-
Monsieur speaks-pardon-c
ty. | 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
F1ame-you see trust you-is here :"
O'Rourke got upon his feet with an
exclamation; the vicomte was play.
ing a bold hand. Before the Irishman
mad grasped his intention he had
thrown 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
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, level
stretch of grass beyond the veranda.
The night | 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
sot"-with a contomptuous glance at
the unconscious honorable-"will new
er hinder you. If you die, take the
note from your pocket The issue is
fair Will you fight. Irishman?"
ORourke's fist crashed upon the
table as he rose Fight" he cried.
Faith, did not think We had this in
ye Pistols, shall 1t he?"
Thank you" said the vicomte, with
a courtly bow, but | am an indiffer-
ent 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,
pen and ink And when O'Rourke had
slipped the paper into his pocket he
saw the vicomte waiting for him by
oae of the windows, two naked ra-
piers, slender and cleaning and long,
beneath his arm. AS the Irishman
came up. with a bow. the Frenchman
presented the hilts Of both weapons
foT his choice
! ogether and In silence they left
Ia. dining-room, strobe across the yer,