The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1912-12-12

less to US without the two certificates"
They are worth as much to you as
your pledge of safety is to me-" re-
turned Robin. why should you ex-
pect to feel safe from me, while I am
still in danger from you? That was
not the compact. The hour tina I set
my foot on a foreign shore in safety
l will cut the last thread that binds me
to the past, but those two papers will
never be yours. Lord Beachcombe,
me. l have given my word, and I will
Keep 1t. My title in exchange for my
life; your legitimacy in exchange for
my safety"
"I knew i'll felt it," cried Beach
combe.
This fellow himself is the arch-im-
postor."
"Impostor!!" said Robin, with a con-
temptuous laugh, az he stood up and
pointed to the earl. Mature has cast
US In the same mold; God be praised
that her work is only skin-deep. Dou-
Die. you have the late earl's picture in
that bag; pull 1t 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, that bore evidence of having been
hastily cut from the frame.
My fathers pictured" cried Beach
combe, recognizing it with amaze
ment. How came it in your posses
sion?"
1T fell into my hands," said Robin
dryly, when l was lately in the north
country. l thought it might be useful,
SO brought 1t away with me-"
You mean, 1 suppose, that you stole
1t from Beachcombe Castle snapped
the earl.
How could I steal my own? Beach
combe Castle is entailed upon the eld-
est son, and l inherited it from my
rather, as the son just born to you will
doubtless inherit it from you If moth
ing ntoWa happens to me. You
ought to pray heartily for my welfare,
my Lord, until I am safely landed in
america. Still. 1 am not dependent up
on the picture of a dead man for
proofs OF identity. / can bring twenty
living witnesses to prove that I am the
son of Mrs. Vincent, whose marriage
10 captain Gregory De Cliffe 1 can
prove by documents and other valu-
able evidence"
You will give up the two certifi-
Gates If Lord Beachcombe pledges his
word that you will be allowed to leave
england unmolested, will you not?" in
CURED Mr.. Perry insinuatingly
y VIII not" replied Robin firmly.
Wen. then-I rye this matter be-
u my lord will have a long period
or suspense to endure before he re-
celVes those documents, and without
impugning your good faith, it is posi-
Bile they might fall into the wrong
hands after all-will you give them UP
II Lord Beachcombe gives you a writ
ten guarantee that you will be safe.
SO far as he can protect your"
Il do not value his written guarantee
one f%arthing," said Robin contemptu-
ously. Given an hours start, I am
ready to take my chance of escape
from any lawyer or traitor of you all.
I've a reason for wishing to re-
n III not give up the one thing that
enables me to do it in safety"
Beachcombe sprang to his feet. II
nave stood this insolence long enough!"i
he exclaimed. "You-an outlaw, a con-
Vlcted robber. dare to spurn my word!
refuse to accept my written promise!
Fray, what will satisfy you?"
oh! II you wish to offer me salts
faction, It's quickly settled" cried Ro-
bin. To cross swords with your lord
ship Will give me the utmost pleasure,
n let him who draws the first blood
dictate the terms of truce"
Beachcombe sneered, but he was not
a coward, and his fingers almost in
voluntarily wandered to his s%word-hiIt.
"G~entlement. gentlemen" cried the
lawyer. This is no time or place for.
fighting; besides. If there is anything
IN your story, OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
the curse Of Cain would be On the one
who shed the others blood"
Will the one who hires somebody
else to shed the others blood, escape
curse Of Cain?" sternly inquired
Robin. IF we cannot settle this bust
ness ike gentlemen, let us get it over
as quickly as possible. 1t will not be
difficult, / dare say to find some bet
ter occasion for a meeting
In a great hurry. Mr. Perry read oxyor
a legal document, renouncing on the.
part of the person claiming to be
Robert Gregory de Cliffe and his de-
cedents forever all titles, estates en-
tailed or otherwise, and other belong
ings appertaining to the B~eachcombe
family in all its qualifications, In con-
~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
by which every contingency was fore
stalled and provided for. Then he re-
auested Mr.. Double to peruse 1t. in case
Hthere might be snares or hidden mean
1ngs In 1t. Two clerks were called In
to witness the bold signature OF Rob-
ert Gregory de Cliffe. and finally, Mr..
Perry counted out 1000 pounds In Bank
OF England notes. as compensation for
Robtn's claim to an Inheritance worth
10000 q year, 200 more for his expenses
IN leaving the country, and certain
sums to Mr.. Double for his services.
Lord Beachcombe showed very little
interest in this part of the transaction.
but sat bitinC his nails and lingering
his sword hilt.
Mr.. Perry drew Nj. Double aside. and
made one last attempt to convince him
q g It would be greatly to the9interest
Of all parties Il he could persuade his
Client to surrender the two documents
Or whose value he held so exaggerated
an8estimate. Meantime, Robin strolied
up to h 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 mon
mad drawn together, and numbered
apout 2 q score, armed with stolt
bludgeons and stiIl more deadly weaps
ons. Near them, under he trees. =
ragged urchin walked Lord Beach
conine's horse slowly up and down
hopeful of a bounteous douceur from,
he noble patron Who had kept him Sd