The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1912-12-07

would yer have in this estate. or fer
yer commission either. II Howe OF
Clinton got an inklin' of yer game?
Good Lord. man! they'd hang yer in
stead of the other fellow. You'll have
ter lie some as 1t Is, l reckon, ter ex-
plain why yer left Sir Henry. an came
down here. Have yer got that fact
inter yer brains?"
Grant glared at him wickedly, but
remained silent across the table
Yer already in bad enough. without
huntin' more trouble. Better leave the
boy alone. l thought. at first. we'd
have ter use him. but l don't now. Let
the girl believe he's deserted, and that
yer in a position ter help him. That
will serve yer purpose better than the
other scheme. 1t may awaken her
gratitude. her sweet love!"
Damn her love!"
so 1t isn't love, eh, that makes yer
so anxious. | thought as much. What
is 1t, then-revenge?"
Grant held his breath a moment, his
dull eyes on the faces Of the two men.
We'll. l might as well tell you," he
"AAeAA 'VN at idSl' Iotcu ucI OuCCs !
guess; anyhow l wanted her badly
enough. l want her now. but not in
just the same way. l want to show
her I'm the master. | want to give
her a lesson, and that cub brother Of
hers. I'd have got them all, the Col
onel with them. II that damned Col
onial spy hadn't stolen my coat. had
them. dead to rights, Fagin. and the
papers to prove it. Now l don't care
how it's done, SO l get her. l thought
she'd marry me to save the boy. but
If she won't. why then. you carry out
your plan-what Is it?"
Fagin laughed. again emptying his
glass.
Easy enough. She's alone. except
fer her father. and be can't get out of
bed. We've got jerks here, an the
damned old coward will do whatever
tell him.
But she despises me"
"Oh. no! Well make you a victim.
That will leave things in proper shape
between yer two. Well play 1t off as
a drunken lark-eh, Jones? My God!
1t won't be the first time we've done
the trick either. Do you remember
that love-sick couple over at Tom g
River. Ned? Never laughed 80 much
in my life. This is a better one Lord!
but won't old Mortimer rave, an
mighty little good it will do him.
Come. what do yer say, Grant? Are
yer gamer"
"Hell's fire-yes." He got to his
nrtD Ii
"Bring-bring 'em in: this is a good
place"
Fagin struck the table with his fist.
"Of course 1t is. drink ter the bride
after the ceremony. Bill. bring in the
preacher"
1t was growing daylight. could
perceive the glow OF the sky out
through the window, but the candles
still sputtered on the table, casting
grim lights and shadows on the faces
Of the three men. As Bill disappeared
into the parlor. stole silently back
to the library door.
Tom" whispered briefly. find the
boys. and bring them in here. through
that broken window. They are in the
orchard to the right. and there are no
guards in front. Move lively, but be
quiet"
What is 1t. Major?" asked young
Mortimer, eagerly.
81 can't explain now. must get
back where l can see and hear But
there Ia going to be fight. Hold the
men ready here until call. See that
their weapons are in good order"
l caught the CLINT of his eye, but
could wait no longer. Indeed / was
scarcely back, snuggled under the
stairs. when Bill came forth, gripping
the collar Of his prisoners coat, and
lower. the morning light threatening
to reveal my hiding place. yet with
mind more at ease. now knew the
men were close at hand. Within FIVE
minutes the entire squad would be
crowded into that room. eager for
trouble to begin. Probably Fagin did
not have a half-dozen fellows In the
house. II we could strike swiftly
enough we might overpower them all,
without creating alarm outside, where
the main body lay. Some careless
ness had brought US good luck In hav-
ing the front of the house left un-
guarded. These thoughts swept over
me. and left me confident The time
had come when was to serve her, to
prove my own worthiness. felt ready
and eager for the trial
I caught a glimpse of jerks face, as
Bill jerked him forward. The man
was gray with terror, his parchment
like skin scanned and contorted. He
was a tall. loose-jointed creature. wear.