The Delta independent. [volume] (Delta, Colo.) 1886-19??, 1912-02-16

o'Rourke Whipped Hit to Chin With
Consummate Grace.
of course, I had already surmised.
Afterward the secretary was
absent, the safe open, the name on the
packet stared me in the face. What
could | do?"
Precisely. I'm convinced that, be-
ing what we are, ye did only what ye
could"
The vicomte bowed, amusement
| Pickering in his glance. Touched
he admitted. We'll l
have the jewel, you the information"
And ye have to propose"
"A plan after your own heart: l do
| your courage the credit to believe It.
monsieur. With another man whom
/ had studied less exhaustively. !
should propose a combination OF
\ forces, a division of profits" ORourke
made an impatient gesture. But with
you, Colonel ORourke, no. esteem
/ your address and determination too
highly and-pardon me If speak
plainly despise and hate you too
utterly to become willingly your part
ner"
Go on begin to like we better.
/ Ye grow interesting"
THAT does not interest me. Z.
The situation, then, is simplified. Es-
sentially 1t involves two propositions:
first, we cannot combine; second, di-
vided We both fail. While both Of us
| live, mon colonel. the Pool of Flame
| will never earn its value"
"'Tis meself takes exception to
that. Let me once get me hands on
the stone. monsieur. and I'll back me-
self against dozen yicomtes-and
honorables."
while live" the Frenchman stat
/ ed, unrufied; you will not touch the
Pool of Flame; while you live. l can
not dispose of IT to the best ad-
vantage. 1t would seem that one or
the other of us must die"
81 am armed" remarked O'Rourke
slowly. 'if ye mean we've brought me
here to murder me"
| Monsieur speaks-pardon-c
| ly. ! asked you, you came of your
own will-to fight for the Pool OF
| Flame" O'Rourke started; CLINT of
understanding danced in his eager
eyes. 81 see you catch my meaning.
What have to propose is this: you
will take pen and paper and write
the name of the person who offers the
reward, with his address. This you
will enclose in an envelope. seal, and
place in your pocket. The Pool of
F1ame-you see trust you-is here"
O'Rourke got upon his feet with an
| tho yicomta was NAV
ing bold hand. Before the Irishman
had grasped his intention he had
thrown upon the table ruby as large,
or larger, than an egg: an exquisite
jewel, superbly cut and polished.
Fascinated. O'Rourke remembered
himself and sat down.
You see" The vicomte's cold in
cisive tones cut the silence. Slowly
he extended hand and took up the
great ruby. replacing 1t in his pocket.
There is" he said evenly. level
stretch OF grass beyond the veranda-
The night, l admit, Is dark, but the
light from these long windows should
be sufficient for us. II you Stay me.
take the ruby and go In reace: this
sot"- with a contemptuous glance at
| tue UNCONSCIOUS uOuOTdDle- VIII new
er hinder you. II you die, take the
note from your pocket. The Issue Is
fair. VIII you fight. Irishman?"
O'Rourke's fist crashed upon the
table as he rose. Fight" he cried.
Faith. did not think ye had this in
We. Pistols, shall 1t be-"
THANK you" said the vicomte, with
courtly bow, but ! am an indiffer.
ent shot. Had you chosen rapiers at
Monte Carlo one of us would never
have left the field alive"
He went to n 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 of the windows, two naked ra-
PIERS slender and cleaning and long,
beneath his arm. AS the Irishman
came up, with bow, the Frenchman
presented the hits of both weapons
for his choice.
Together and In silence they left
the dining-room, strobe across the yer.
anda and down. a short step, to the
lawn. The vicomte stood aside quick.
ly, bringing his feet together and ga.
luting in the full glare Of light.
O'Rourke whipped hilt to chin with
consummate grace. his heart singing.
! Wc-k sucn as this ne loved. The