River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-05-02
CHAPTER IX.-(continued.A


assumed Indignation. BE quiet, Ber-
tie. Children should be seen and not
heard. Mind your uncle" And, "Oho!'
he commented to himself. And they
knew | didn't have the Pool OF Flame!
Let me think -. Oh, faith, It's
just bluffing they are!"
"You say" the viscomte continued
slowly and evenly, you've destroyed
the letter."
O'Rourke took up pipe and tobacco.
II told ye," he replied, filling the
bowl that the letter was non-exist-
ent. Now, me man" he continued, with
an imperceptible change of tone, drop
the bluff. Turn that pistol away from
me. Well know that We won't shoot,
for If We did We would put beyond
your reach forever the information
that would win We the reward-al-
ways providing We had got possession
of the ruby, be hook or crook. 'TWould
be crooks, I'm thinking"
He lit a match and applied the
flame to the tobacco There's me last
word on the subject" he added in
distinctly, putting and cycling the pair
through the cloud of smoke.
The revolver waved in the vicomte's
hand; he was livid with passion and
disappointed, yet amenable to rea-
son. Glynn bent and whispered brief
ly in his ear, and the F'renchman, nod
ding acquiescence, laid aside his
weapon. The Honorable BERTHE con-
linued to advise with him in whispers
antil O'Rourke, though quite at loss to
understand this phase of the affair,
saw that their attention was momen-
tarily diverted and, with swift move
ment. leaned over, snatched up the re-
volver and, with flirt 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 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 latter from his lips and
gestured airily with the stem. "Sit
We down." he invited them, land take
it easy, me dear friends. The nnischief's
done, and naught that We can do will
repair it. Faith, said I'd not strike
back unless We crowded me. | re-
member me words to the letter.
Your guns made a crowd out of this
happy reunion. I've merely dispensed
with them; l call We both to witness
that We have neither of We suffered.
Sure, I'm as peaceable as any lamb.
Sit down, sit We down and take it 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
fact that We have left me own brace
of revolvers here at me feet, when We
SO ioyously turned me bag inside out.
I'm not touching them, mind We, but
mind We further: I'll brook no nom
sense. If We make move as if to at
tack me-. I'll There! That's
much better. Wise lads, We are, both
of We: graceful in defeat. Let me see:
We've long ride together. though
We did come unlimited / trust We
will help me beguile the tedium with
society chatter. me friend" with a
twinkle at the discounted vicomte.
I'm in danger of forgetting me man
ners. Pardon me, l 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 rapierpoint 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 inn
posed upon the Honorable BERTHE was
yro~Y. dawn. fhn Eu4lisknoan turned