The state herald., 1913-02-28

would yer have In this estate, or fer
yer commission either. II Howe or
Clinton got an inklin' Of yer game?
Good Lord, mani they'd hang yer in
stead of the other fellow. You'll have
ter lie some as 1t is. ! reckon, ter ex-
plain why yer left Sir Henry. an came
down here. Have yer got that fact
inter yer brains?"
Grant glared at him wickedly, but
remained silent across the table.
Yer already in bad enough. without
huntin' more trouble. Better leave the
have ter use him, but don't now. Let
the girl believe he's deserted, and that
yer in position ter help him. That
will serve yer purpose better than the
other scheme. 1t may awaken her
gratitude, her sweet Lowell"
Damn her love!"
so 1t isn't love. eh. that makes yer
so anxious. ! thought as much. What
is 1t. then-revenge?"
Grant held his breath a moment, his
dull eyes on the faces of the two men.
We'll. might as well tell you," he
snarled at last. Il loved her once, l
guess; anyhow / wanted her badly
enough. want her now. but not in
Just the same way. / want to show
her I'm the master. want to give
her lesson. and that cub brother OF
hers. I'd have got them all. the Col
onel with them, II that damned Col
onial spy hadn't stolen my coat had
them, dead to rights. Fagin. and the
papers to prove 1t. Now | don't care
how it's done. SO l get her. thought
shed marry me to save the boy, but
II she won't. why then. you carry out
your plan-what is it?r
Fagin laughed. again emptying his
glass.
Easy enough. She's alone. except
fer her father. and be can't get out OF
bed. We've got jerks here. an the
damned old coward will do whatever
tell him"
But she despises me-"
"oh. no. Well make you a victim.
That will leave things in proper shape
between yer two. Wen play II OF as
drunken lark-eh. Jones? My Godl
It won't be the first time we've done
the trick either. Do you remember
that love-sick couple over at Toms
River. Ned7 Never laughed SO much
in my life. This is better one. Lord!
but won't old Mortimer rave, an
mighty little good It will do him.
Come, what do yer say, Grant, Are
yer gamer"
"Hell's fire-yes." He got TO his
feet, gripping the back OF his chair
'Bring-bring 'em in: this is a good
place"
Fagin struck the table with his fist.
"Of course II is, drink ter the bride
after the ceremony. Bill. bring In the
preacher"
1t was growing daylight could
perceive the glow OF the sky out
through the window, but the candles
still sputtered on the table. casting
grim lights and shadows on the faces
OF the three men. As Bill disappeared
into the parlor. | stole silently back
to the library door.
Tom" whispered briefly. "flnd the
boys. and bring them In here. through
that broken window They are in the
orchard TO the right. and there are no
guards in front. Move lively. but be
quiet"
What is II. Mnior1" asked young
Mortimer. eagerly.
u can't explain now must get
back whore can see and hear. But
there Ia going to bo n fight. Hold the
men ready hero until I cali. See that
their weapons are In good order"
eaugh, the CLINT OF his eye, but
could walt no longer. Indeed waa
scarcely back. Snugglcd under tho
stnirs, when Bill came forth. gripping
tho collar OF his prisoners coat, and
urging him down the hall. crouched
lower. tho morning light threatening
to reveal my hiding place. yet with
mind moro nt ease. now I know tho
mon were close at hand. Within Ave
minutes the entire squad would be
crowded Into that room. eager for
trouble TO begin. Probably Fngin did
not have a haifdoxcn fellows In the
house. II We could strike swiftly
enough we might ovorpowcr them all.
without creating alarm outside. whore
the main body lay. Some carclcns.
ness had brought us good luck in hny.
Ing tho front OF tho houn. left un.
guarded These thoughts bwcpt over
me. and left me confident. Tho time
had come when was TO serve her, 10
prove my own worthinona. | felt ready
and eager for the trial
caught glimpse OF Jonka' face, m
blll ierkcd him forward. The man
was Rrny with terror. HIS parchment.
llkn skin scanned and oontorted lie
was tall, loose jointed creature, wear.
inE lonR blaoL aoat rnppinK nhau,