Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1912-02-28


ar5 espied his quarry. The fact that
O'Rourke was dining with one eye
On the clock and in dust-proof, dust
colored suit of drill, was enough to
disturb seriously the poise of the Eng
lishman.
Evaporation stirred in O'Rourke.
He eyed the young man rather morose-
ly throughout the balance Of his meal,
a purpose forming in his mind and
attaining the stature of definite plan
of action without opposition from the
dictates of prudence. And at length
swallowing his coffee and feeling his
servitor, he rose, crossed the room
with firm tread, and came to full
stop at the Honorable Mr.. Glynn's ta-
bic.
Momentarily he held his tongue,
staring down at the young man while
drumming on the marble with the fin
gers of one hand. Then Glynn, glanc-
ing up in state Of somewhat panic
stricken inquiry which strove vainly
to seem insouciant, met the level
stare of the adventurer and noticed
the tense lines Of his lips.
"T-I say" he fioundered, whats
the matter with you, anyway? Can't
you leave me a-lone?"
'T've been thinking" said o'Rourke
crisply, disregardirg the others re-
mark entirely, "thar it might be of in
terest to We to save We bit Of bother
alton to know that I'm going up to
Biskra by tonight's train. 1t leaves in
ten minutes, so I'll have to forego the
pleasure of your society on the trip"
Glynn got a grip on himself and
pulled together the elements of his
manhood. He managed to infuse blank
insolence into his stare, and said
"Ow?" with that singularly maddening
infection of which the Englishman
alone is master; as who should say:
why the dooce d'you annoy me with
your bally plans?"
Don't believe I know you, do II"
he drawled.
81 don't believe ye do, me lad"
"Can't say l wish to very badly,
either"
81 believe that" o'Rourke chuckled
grimly.
The meaning in his tone sent the
blood into the young mans face, q
fiery food of resentment.
"oh, I'm not afraid of you, y'know,"
he said, bristling. "Of course you're
not going to Biskra, or you wouldn't
tell me so. But If you do. shall make
1t my business to find out and follow
by the next train-bringing Des
Trebes with me-"
ooh, will ye SO? Ye mean to warn
me he's in Algeria, too?"
"His boats due now; I'm expecting
him at any moment, If you wish to
know" O'Rourke's smiling contempt
was angering the young man and rem
dering him reckless. you'll be glad
to know you've made dem ass Of
yourself-if you really are going to
Biskra."
"Praise from Sir Hubert"
"Oh, don't you think l mind giving
you a twelve-hour start; you Won't
gain anything by it. Y'see 1 know
where you're going, and know it's
not there If you'll take fools ad-
vice, you'll turn back now. You'll
come back empty-handed anyway. 1
don't mind telling you that we mean
to have that ruby, Des Trebes and l,
and we know where it is. You're only
taking needless trouble. by interfer-
Ing"
Truth was speaking from the bottom
of the absinthe tumbler. O'Rourke's
brows went up and he whistled noise
lessly, for he realized that at least
Glynn believed what he was admit
ting so that's the way Of it, Ell?
/ admire your candor, me boy; but be
careful and not go too far with it.
Twill likely prove disastrous to ye,
I'm fearing. But tit-for-tat;
ye've made me handsome present
according to your lights, Of what ye
most aptly term FOOLS advice, and
tits meself who'll not be outdone at
that game. For yourself, then, take
warning from the experience Of one
who's seen a bit more Of this side Of
the earth than most men have, and
don't let Des Trebes know ye've
talked so freely. He's a bad-tempered
sort and But I'm obliged to
ye and l bid ye good evening"