New Britain herald., 1924-02-18
CHAPTEK IN, Allemarle Proposes

aNS" iuNhtT uiu Hot ions leANc nls proposal to Holes unconfirmed. He sought him in the matter again at the Paul's Head three days later on the Sunday, and sat long in talk with him in the little rarlor.
 He found the Colonel a little more malleable today, a little less insistent upon serving governments in esse.
 Still, he did not altogether yield to Fuckers persuasions. but neither did he discourage him when the latter promised to visit him again on the morrow, bringing another old friend of their Parliament days. And on the Monday, true 10 his promise, Tucker came again, accompanied this time by u gentleman some years his senior, named Rathbone, with whom Colonel Holes recalled some slight acquaintance. This time they came with a very definite proposal, em- powered, so they told him, by ono whose name they would not yet utter. but which, if uttered, must remove his every doubt.
 cur word. know" said the grave Tucker.
 Holes nodded his agreement. and the proposal was disclosed. Ii of. fered him a position which in an es. abolished government would have dazzling. It was dazzling even as things were, to one in his desperate case, driven to the need of making q gamblers throw. If on the one side he probably set his head, at least the stake they offered could hardly have been greater.
 hnI they tempted hlm further by revelations Of how far their prcpara. tions were advanced. and how thorough these were.
 A tap at the door interrupted them. Tucker bounded up. propelled by his uneasy conspirator'a consclence. too. glanced round un- easily.
 Why, what's to startic you?" said the Colonel quietly. smiling to behold their fears. Tt is but my good bostess."
 She came in from tho common room bearing letter that had just been brought for Colonel Holles.
 He took fl. wondering; then, ob. serving the. great seal. a little color crept into his cheeks. He spread the sheet. and read. under the ob- serving eyes Of his friends and his hostess.
 Twice he read the letter before he spoke. The unexpected had hap pened, and it had happened at the eleventh hour. barely in time 10 ar rest him on the brink Of what might prove a prccipice.
 Luck has stood your friend sooner than we could have hoped" wrote "A military post in the Indies has. as I learn from letters bst received. fallen vacant. IL is an important command full worthy of 1our abilities. and there. overseas, you sill be safe from all inquisitions. ri rou will wait upon me here at the Cockpit this afternoon. you shall be urthsr informed"
 He begged his friends to excuse i him moment. took pen. ink. and | ,aper from the sideboard and quickly sroie a few lines in answer.
 When Mrs. Quinn had departed to I convey that note 10 the messenger. | md the door had closed again. the Eo uneasy couspirsfors started up. questions broke simultaneously from ,oth of them. For answer Holes ,sced Albemsrle's letter on the table. l tucker snstched 1t ID. and conned ft. ' thiist over his shoulder Rsthbone cad it. too.
 At last Tucker lowered the sheet. md his grave eyes fell again upon foiies
 And you have ansTrered--Vhst9 9'' ls demanded.
 That ] viI wsit upon his grace his afternoon as he reqnires of me"
 ''Tsm to vibat fnds" asked Rath- ore. "You can't mnan tisnt you .iii 1ercpi cfnploymenf from a gor- f Tnmeaf tiaf is doomeJ.'
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