The Elbert County tribune., 1912-04-05
CHAPTER xI.--(contInued.)

"And ye have to propose?
"A plan after your own heart; do
your courage the credit to believe 1t.
monsieur With another man. whom
I had studied less exhaustively.
should propose d combination OF
iorces, 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--I despise and hate you too
utterly to become Willingly your part
ner"
Go on-l begin to like ye better
Ye grow interesting
That does not interest me
The situation then. is simplified Es
sentialIy 1t involves two propositions
frst 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 meseif takes exception to
that Let me once get me hands on
the stone. monsieur, and I'll back me.
self against dozen vicomtes-and
honorables."
while live," the Frenchman stat.
ed. unruffled; you win not touch the
Pool OF Flame; while you live. can
not dispose of 1t 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 ye mean ye've brought me
here to murder me-"
Monsieur -pardon-crude-
iy. | asked you, you came of your
own will-to fight for the Pool OF
Flame" O'Rourke started: CLINT OF
understanding danced In his eager
eyes. Il see you catch my meaning.
What have to propose Is this: you
win 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 pocaet The Pool OF
Flame-you see ] trust you-is here ..
O'Rourke got upon his feet with an
exclamation; the yicomte was play
Ing bold hand. Before the Irishman
had 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 hand and took up the
great ruby. replacing 1t In his pocket.
There is" he said evenly. level
stretch OF grass beyond the veranda.
tel. ,1x t.. 49,
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.
or hinder you. II you die. | take the
note from your pocket The issue is
fair VIII you fight, Irishman7"
O'Rourkes fist crashed upon the
table as he rose Eight" he cried.
Faith, | did not think ye 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" 81
He went to 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
one 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
for his choice.
Together and in silence they left
the dininsfoom. strods across the YER