The Lamar register., 1912-02-21


volver and. with fiirt of his hand,
flung it out of the window
Glynn started back with an oath,
his hand going toward his pocket; but
O'Rourke promptly closed with him A
breath later a second pistol was eject
ed from the carriage and the English
man was sprawling over the knees of
the vicomte.
They disengaged themselves and,
mad with rage. started up to fall upon
and exterminate the wanderer
think 1t must have been the very
impertinence OF his attitude that
made them pause in doubt. for
he had resumed his seat as calmly as
though nothing at all had happen
ed and was pulling soberly at
his pipe. AS they hesitated he re-
moved the laiIer from his lips and
gestured airiiy with the stem. sit
we down" invited them, land take
1t easy. ME dea' friends The mischief's
done. and naught that ye can do will
repair 1t. Faith. said I'D not strike
back unless ye crowded me. l re-
member me words to the letter.
Your guns made a crowd out of this
happy reunion. I've merely dispensed
with them; call We both to witness
that ye have neither of ye suffered.
Sure. I'm as peaceable as any lamb.
Sit down. sit We down and take 1t like
little men. The situations unchanged,
save that I've put temptation out of
your reach"
And as they wavered. plainly of
two minds. O'Rourke clinched the ar.
gument OF his attitude. Il beg to call
your attention" he remarked. ito the
TACT that We have left me own brace
OF revolvers here at me feet. when ye
SO joyously turned me bag inside out.
I'm not touching them, mind ye. but
mind ye further: I'll brook no non.
sense. II ye make a move as II to at.
tack me. I'll There! That's
much better. Wise lads. ye are. both
OF ye: graceful In defeat. Let me see:
We've a long ride together. though
ye did come unlimited. trust ye
will help me beguile the tedium with
society chatter. me friend" with q
twinkle at the discounted vicomte
I'm in danger Of forgetting me man.
ners. Pardon me. I pray. but-but
trust your nose is convalescing?"
In high feather with himself,
O'Rourke entertained his companions
with . running fire OF pleasantries for
the balance Of the darkened hours
And he touched both more than once
with the rapier-point of his wit and
irony. and had the pleasure Of seeing
both squirm In impotent rage. They
cut wretched figures. two against one
yet failures. while he tainted them In
one breath. with the next declared
himself their captive. Toward the end
the reserve which the vicomte i'm
posed upon the Honorable Berthe was
worn down: the EDglishman turned
with raw nerves upon his tormentor.
You damned asst" he stammered.
all but incoherent. You sit there
and-and gloat. damn you. When all
the time we've got the upper hand!"
Be quiet!" interposed the vicomte.
Il WON'T" ragged the honorable. He
thinks himself so Internally clever!
What 'dyou say. you Irish braggart. II
L told you you'd never see the Pool
OF Flame again.
I'D say" returned O'Rourke. that
you were either lying or a fool. In
either case fool. II. as ye seem to
be trying to make me believe-which
l don't for one instant-ye have sue
ceeded In stealing the Pool OF Flame.
I'll hunt the pair Of ye to the ends OF
the earth. II need be-"
He eyed them refiectively during q
moment or two made interesting by
Glynn's desperate attempts to blurt
out indiscretions against the prohibit
ton OF the vicomte: something which
the older man enforced crudely by
clapping his hand across the English.
mans mouth. as well as by whisper
ing savagely in his ear.
But therell be no need" continued
the lrishman. when Glynn was calm.
Let's consider the matter dispassion-
ately, presupposing that ye have the
stone. Well. what then? Ye dare not
attempt to sell it-'twould result in
instant detection. II would not pay
We to have It secretly cut up into
smaller stones-the loss In value
would be stupendous, the whole not
worth your while. as | say. Ye can
not take the Pool of Flame don't get
excited: I'm not going to tell ye
where) to claim the reward. for We
don't know where to go. Ills a white
elephant 1t would be en- yogs hands
dEna