The Elbert County tribune., 1912-03-29
CHAPTER Ix.-(contInued.)

CHAPTER RIx.-(Continued.)
quite right" echoed O'Rourke with
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 BLUM. Turn that pistol away from
me. Well know that ye won't shoot,
for II ye did ye would put beyond
your reach forever the information
that would win ye the reward--al-
ways providing ye had got possession
Of the ruby. be hook or crook. 'Twould
be crooks. I'm thinking"
He lit a match and applied the
name to the tobacco. There's me last
word on the subject" he added In
distinctly, pulling and eyeing the pair
through the cloud of smoke
The revolver waved In the vicomtes
hand; he was livid with passion and
disappointed. yet amenable to rea-
son. Glynn bent and whispered brief
ly in his ear. and the Frenchman. nod
ding acquiescence. laid aside his
weapon. The Honorable BERTHE con-
tinued to advise with him in whispers
until 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 a fiirt of his hand.
hung 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
impertinencs of his attitude that
made them pause In doubt, for
he had resumed his seat as calmly as
though nothing Mt all had happen.
cd 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
ye down." he invited them, "and take
It easy. me dear friends. The mischief's
done, and naught that ye can do will
repair 1t. Faith, said I'd not strike
back unless ye 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; call ye both to witness
that ye have neither of ye suffered
Sure, I'm as peaceable as any lamb
6it down. sit ye down and take 1t 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 ye have left me own brace
Of revolvers here at me feet. when ye
SO joyously turned me bag inside out
I'm not touching them. mind ye. but
mind ye further: I'll brook no non
sense. II ye make move as II to at
tack me. I'll Therel That
much better. Wise lads. ye are, botf
Of ye; graceful in defeat Let me see;
We've long ride together. though
ye did come uninyited. trust "
will help me beguile the tedium will
society chatter. me friend" with {
twinkle at the discounted vicomte
I'm in danger of forgetting me man