The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-02-08

aloud fer the serang. Halfway to the
head and shoulders were lifting above
the level Of the deck O'Rourke COW
cred him and called him aft as he
again retreated to the scene of the
tragedy.
Had he been in condition to think
coherently, he might have acted more
prudently. But maddened, he was
able to grasp but one fact; that the
Pool Of Flame was gone and must be
recovered at whatever hazard.
The lascar came with what might
have seemed suspicious alacrity, con-
sidering the fact that he was coerced,
that O'Rourke held him at the pistols
point. Gaunt and sombre in the
moonlight, moving noiselessly in his
bare feet, head up and arms swinging
limp, he advanced without a pause I'M
til about six feet from the Irishman;
at which distance ORourke, collect
ing his wits, found voice enough to bid
the fellow, "Stop!"
The serang halted, impassivc, I'M
moved
THE sahib has Called he said in
an even voice. Il am come What is
the sahib's will with me-
His words, together with his half
lndolent, half-detiant, wholly CONTEMPT
tuous bearing, supplied the one thing
needful to restore to the adventurer
his self-control. ORourke drew him
coli ctI re ro)F i
looked the lascar in the eye
you stand" he said slowly, choos-
ing his words, ION the edge Of the
grave. DO you comprehend that,
dog?'
aye, sahib.'
Il have called ye then, to demand
back that which is mine, the leather
bag which We stole when We slew your
brother, pretending falsely it was he
who had slain the captain. | counsel
We, speak truth and render back to
me that which ye have stolen"
The serang stiffened, his eyes glst-
ening in the moonlight. "Sahib!' he
cried as if in supplication.
"No words, dog cried ORourke
sternly. DO as bid We, or abide the
result Of disObedience!"
''The sahib," said the serang slow
ly, sis full Of eyes and wisdom He
sees what no man would believe he
could see. l am content He bowed
his head with curious submissiveness,
stretching forth his palms as if in
token of surrender
OROurke caught at his breath He
had scarcely hoped for this; he had
merely called the serang aft as the
leader of the lascars, hoping to fright
en- him into revealing whichever of
his comrades had stolen the great
ruby-if he knew.
"Ye have, then, the leather bag?' he
demanded, exultation in his voice
aye, sahib: or, if not that, have
that which was therein
"The stone?"
aye, sahib'
"Then give it me-
81 am the sahibs slave" The Sc
rang flashed strange smile at the
revolver in ORourkes hand. His at
titude puzzled O'Rourke; he would
hardly have believed this Of the man;
rather he could have conceived of him
as denying the theft to the last and
fighting like an unclaimed fiend to re-
tain his booty. His present pose was
out Of character, or the Irishman mis-
judged him.
Out of character or no. it was COM
Portable. The serang, with head bent,
was fumbling in the folds of his sash;
O'Rourke thought him over long about
it, yet was inclined to give him time
: in view Of his abject surrender.
At length, still smiling oddly, the
man lifted his eyes and stretched
forth a hand tight closed. THE sa-
hib,' he said gently, shall see that
his servant spoke truth. Let this
, weigh with the sahib for mercy. Be-
boId!"
The brown fingers Enclosed and in
the hollow Of his palm trembled that
, which seemed a ball of crystalized
rose fire, the stone that man has
named the Pool Of Flame. O'Rourke
uttered low cry of satisfaction, step
ping forward to snatch up the jewel.
simultaneously he was aware Of a
quick gasp from the direction of the
woman, followed, ere he could account
for them, by two pistol shots.
The adventurer groaned, pitching
forward blindly, one side of his head,
from the ear to the temple, a-quiver
with an agony as # white-hot iron
had scared him there. He stretched
forth an arm aimlessly and gripped an
iron stanchion, stopping his fall, and
, hung there for what seemed an con,
sea and skies swimming blood-red be-
fore his eyes, in his ears thunder
Gus rushing as of mighty waters.
BY supreme effort Of will he kept
himself half-erect, clinging to the rail,
and opened his eyes. So briefly had
pain blinded him that it was patent