The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1912-12-12

Iurueu ftODln. why SnOulu you eA-
pect to feel safe from me. while / am
still in danger from your That was
not h compact, The hour that I SET
my foot on Il foreign shore in safety
/ will cut the last thread that binds me
TO h past, but those two papers will
never be yours, Lord B-eachcombe,
until II - out OF your power to inJure
me. 4 have given my word, and will
keep 1t. My title In exchange for my
life; your legitimacy In exchange for
my safety"
II knew It'll felt i'll" cried Beach
combe.
This fellow himself Is the arch-im-
poster"
"Impostor!r said Robin. with q con-
pointed to the earl. Mature has cast
US in the same mold; God be praised
that her work Is only skin-deep. Dou-
bic, you have the late earl's picture In
that bag; pull It out, and let us see
on which OF his sons he printed off the
best likeness OF himself"
Mr.. Double drew forth a roll OF can
vas, h q bore evidence of having been
hastily cut from the frame.
MY fathers picture.' cried Beach
combe, recognizing II with amaze
ment. How came IL in your posses
ston?"
1T fell into my hands. said Robin
dryly, when I was lately in the north
country. / thought 1t might be useful,
so I brought 1t away with me-,
You mean. / suppose, that you stole
Il from B~eachcombe Castle" snapped
the earl.
How could I steal my own2 Beach
combe Castle Is entailed upon the eld-
est son and I inherited ii from my
father, as the son just born to you VIII
doubtless inherit it from you II moth
Ing untOward happens to me. You
ought to pray heartily for my welfare,
my Lord, until I am safely landed in-
America. Still. / am not dependent up
on The picture OF a dead MAJ for
proofs OF identity. / can bring twenty
living witnesses to prove that I am the
son OF Mrs. Vincent, whose marriage
TO Captain Gregory De Cliffe I can
prove BY documents and other yalu-
able evidence
You will give up the two certifi-
Gates IL Lord Beachcombe pledges his
word that you VIII be allowed to leave
England unmolested, will You not?" in
Quired Mr.. Perry insiruatkngly
II will not replied Robin firmly
well. then-I urge this matter be-
cause my lord will have a long period
OF suspense to endure before he re-
ceiyes those documents, and without
impugping your good faith, IT Is posi-
BILE they might fall into the wrong
hands after all-wilI you give them up
ten guarantee that you will be safe,
so far as he can protect your"
II do not value his written guarantee
one farthing.' said Robin contenptu-
ously. Given an hours start, I am
ready to take my chance of escape
from any lawyer or traitor OF you all.
But I've q aso for wishing to re-
mo In In Tnrdnn far thu no~f Paxr Ha NO
and I'll not give ur the one thing that
enables me to do 1t in safety"
Beachcombe sprang TO his feet. 81
have stood this insolence long enough!"
he exclaimed. "You-an outlaw, q con-
yicted robber. dare to spurn my wordl
refuse to accept my written promise!
Pray, what will satisfy your"
ooh! IL you wish to offer me salts
faction, it's quickly settlec?' cried Ro-
bin. 'To cross swords with your lord
ship will give me the utmost pleasure,
and let him who draws the first blood
dictate the terms Of truce"
Beachcombe sneered, but he was not
q coward, and his fingers almost In
voluntarily wandered to his sword-hilt.
"Gentlement, gentlemen!" cried the
lawyer. This is nc time or place for
fighting; besides, IL there is anything
in your story, OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
the curse OF Cain would be on the one
who shed the others blood.p
aWil the one who hires somebody
else to shed the others blood, escape
the curse OF Cain?" sternly imputed
Robin. If we cannot settle this busi-
ness like gentlemen, let us get 1t over
rs quickly as possible. 1t win not be
dif1cult, / dare say, to find some bet
ter occasion for q meeting"
In q great hurry. Mr.. Perry read yer
a legal document, renouncing on the
mart nf Ntf hn WNe rnorscnn 8G ola fgVffnor ~ ha
Robert Gregory de Cliffe and his de-
cedents forever" all titles, estates en-
tailed or otherwise, and other belong
ings appertaining to the Beachcombe
family in all Its manifestations, in com
~sideration Of 1000 pounds over and
above all expenses OF his transportation
to a foreign land, or any place outside
OF the British Isles, that he might Sc
lect for his future abode. The above
TO be paid him on signing this deed,
and to constitute a full satisfaction for
every claim, past. present and future.
Robin listened with scant patience to
the monotonous repetition Of legal terms
stalled and provided for. Then he re-
quested Mr.. Double to peruse 1t, In case
there might be snares or hidden mean
ings In 1t. Two clerks Were called in
to witness the bold signature Of Rob-
ert Gregory de Cliffe, and finally, Mr..
Ferry out LOCO pounds In Bank
Of England notes, as compensation for
Robins claim to an Inheritance worth
10000 a year. zoe more for his expenses
In leaving the country, and certain
sums to MI. Double for his services.
Lord Beachcombe showed very little
interest in this part OF the transaction,
but sat biting his nails and lingering
his sword hilt.
Mr.. Perry drew Mr.. Double aside, and
made I'M last attempt to convince him
that II would be greatly to the interest
OF all parties Ii he could persuade his
client to surrender the two documents
OF whose value he held so exaggerated
an estimate. Meantime, Robin strolIed
up to the window, arranging his beaver
with great nonchalance, and throwing
the end of the cloak over his shoulder.
so as to display the red lining.
He observed that the lettering men
had drawn together, and numbered
about half a score, armed with stout
bludgeons and still more deadly weap-
cns. Near them, under the trees, a
ragged urchin walked Lord Beach
combe's horse slowly VI and down,
hopeful OF a bounteous douceur from
the noble patron who had kept him SO
long waiting.
Now, Captain" said Mr.. Double, Il
am at your service"
Robin walked to the door and remov-
Ing his beaver, swept 30 low a bow that
he dropped IT. on the door.
II ~ L. - r. - II 800