The Farmington times., 1912-07-04
CHAPTER xl.-(continucd,)

And yc have to propose
~ plan after your own heart. | d
your courage the credit TO believe II
monsieur with another man, whom
had etudicd less eXhaustive'y,
should propose a combination o.
forces. a division of profits" ORourk'
made an impatient gesture. But Will
you. Colonel ORourkc no esteem
your address and determination toe
1iEhly and-pardOn me II | SPEAK
nlainIy-l dcspIsc and hate you toe
attcrly 10 become Willingly your part
Ger"
GO on begin to like ye better
Ye grow interesting
THAT does not interest me.
The situation. then, Is simpltled. Es
Eenually 1t involves two propositions;
frst. we cannot combine. second, d.
gtdcJ wo both fail While both OF us
tive. mon colonel. the Pool of Flame
wilI never earn It's value"
"ris mesclf takes exception to
that Let me once get me hands on
the stone, monsieur and I'll back me.
sclf against dozen vlcomtes--and
1onorablcs"
while live" tho FrenChmun stat.
ID. unrunled; you will not touch the
Pool of Flame; while you live, | can.
not dispose of 1t to the best ad.
gantngc. 1t would seem that one or
the other OF US must die"
I am armed" remarked ORourke
slowly, If ye mean ye'ye brought me
Aero to murder me"
Nlonsieur -pardon--crude.
y. ! asked you, you came of your
avn wlll-to fight for the nool OF
Efame." ORourko started; a CLINT OF
understanding danced In his eager
eyes. Il see you catch my meaning
What ! have to propose Is this: you
Stll take pen and paper and write
the name Of the person who offers the
ceward. with his address. This you
will enclose in an envelope. seal, and
ptace In your pocket Tho Pool OF
Elame-you see trust you--is here E"
ORourke got upon his feet with an
exclamation; the vicomte was play.
fng n bold hand. Before the lrishman
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'Rourko remembered
himself and sat down.
-rou see" The vicomte's cold in.
Sisive tones cut the silence. Slowly
ne 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
Eight from these long windows should
De sufficient for us. II you slay me,
take the ruby and go In peace: this
sot"-wIth a contomptuous glance at
the unconscious honorable-"will ney.
er hinder you. II you die. take the
note from your pocket The issue is
fair. VIII you Rght, Irishman7"
0'Rourke's fist crashed upon the
table as he rose, Fight" he cried.
Faith. did not think ye had this in
ye. Pistols, shall II her"
THANK you" said the vicomte, with
O. courtly bow. but ! am an indiiIer.
cut shot Had you chosen raplers at
Monte Carlo one OF US would never
have left the fleld 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
one ot the u!indows, two naked ra.
piers. slender and cleaning and long,
oe9cath his arm. AS the Irishman
came up. with a bow. the Frenchman
presented the hllts OF both weapons
.oC bis choice.
Together and In silence they left
.ba dining.room. strobe across the YER. |