Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-02-13
CHAPTER XXI.
The Jura Succession.


Capt. Dove sucking at his black Guilty
pipe in the library Of Loquhariot. looked
very contemptuousIy at Mr. Jobling. 1t
was self-evident that Mr.. Jobling was
afraid of Slyne and feeling very sorry for
himself.
But Capt. Dove was in no such discon-
ISOLATE mood. CHANGING at the respondent
lawyer out Of his little red-rimmed eyes.
he even grinned, still more contemptu-
ously. He was not afraid Of Slyne, he
told himself and it made no material diff
ference to him that his recent attempt to
browbeat that grasping scoundrel had
failed, even with the London lawyer for
ally. For Capt. Dove did not intend that
either of the other two should eventually
get the better of him. He was paying
waiting game, in which he meant to come
out winner at any cost.
So far as Capt Dove was concerned
there were only two persons really con-
cerned in the question of the Jura sue
cession One was Sallie, the other him.
self-her adopted father!
He looked upon Mr.. Jobling as a mere
mechanical instrument, such as could be
replaced at moments notice, if that
were needful. now that the legal details
Of the case had been carried SO far to-
ward final success. Slyne was abso. utely
superfiuous there and had outlived his
usefulness, in so far, at least, as Capt
Dove was concerned. More than that, he
was in Capt Doves way. So, to some
extent. was Justin Carthew, since it
seemed that Sallie felt called upon to
make a fool of herself for his benefit;
but Capt. Dove did not anticipate any
great difficulty in dealing with him. And
SO was Herries, the factor, who had so
many inconvenient questions to ask-al-
though he need scarcely be taken into ac-
count at present while he was abed and
likely to be there for some time to come.
With all of these. in any case he felt
quite capable Of coping except with
Jasper Slyne, who had threatened, few
moments before and in the hearing of an
attentive witness. Slyne was un-
be his first care to free himself for all
time from the risk of Slynes telling.
II have it, said Capt Dove, his FUR
rowed forehead suddenly cleared and ms
face contorted into smile. at sight OF
which Mr.. Jobling was seized with sick
~ sinking sensation. Il have it. we
must keep quiet, of course, until the
Olive Branch turns up. but she shouldn't
be very long now. and then
I'm send for Brasse. ] warned that
fool Slyne to play fair with me-but he
won't And so-since It's beggar-my-
neighbor we're at, he won't be my neigh
Dor for long,"
Mr.. Jobling rose, coughing irritably.
The reek from capt. Dove ioui pipe "do
too much for him.
"Ill go and pack now he announced.
I'D never have come here at all II
had thought
You leave things here to me, old COCK
Cant. Dove encouraged him. And go
and lag YOUR friend Spettigrew along till
he gets Judgment for us. That's the most
important part of the game at present.
Leave things here to me, and you'll ma
when the time comes that Slyne will have
to take a back seat.
R,1t the stout solicitor did not seem
grateful at all for that crumb of comfort.
He merely looked at Capt Dove with
equal dislike and disbelief as he left the
room.
He left the castle Immediately after
lunch. to catch the steamer south, a lit
tie less depressed, perhaps AFTER a. few
further words with Capt. Dove. who
Thought it only polite to inspirit him in
his efforts on Sallie's behalf And he
had not been gone very long before Capt.
Dove began to miss him-as boon COM
panion, a part which Slyne refused to
play any longer. So that the old man
soon began to find that the time hung
very heavy on his hands, and his grudge
against Slyne always grew.
Under any circumstances he could not
have been very happy for long on land.
Nor could he feel altogether safe there,
even in the distasteful disguise he had
adopted at Slyne'S advice: and for dis
crediting which he had been so repeated
ly called to account by Syne. He could
scarcely but repent having sacrificed his
undisputed autocracy on the Olive Branch
In order to figure as a mere puppet in
Slyne's company, as he had undoubtedly
become since he had left his ship. He
grew very angry. indeed, with Slyne
when he thought Of that. as he often did
during those endless days of waiting.
1t was all Slyne's fault. he assured
himself, that he was thus stranded there;
that he had not 80 cents left to bless
himself with. since one expensive evening
in Paris; and that, even if he had had
such sum in his pockets. it might have
worn hole in them before he could
spend it in such forsaken spot,
OF what use to him, he inquired of him
SELF going off at another tangent, could
a huge, ghost-haunted pile like the Castle
of Loquhariot be? Or great empty bar