The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1924-02-18
O4IAA I LII TX
AlbeInarle Proposes

Ned Tucker did not long leave his
proposal to Holes unconf1rmed. He
| sought him in the matter again at
the PauPs Head three days later on
the Sunday, and sat long in talk with
him in the little parlor
He found the Colonel little more
malleabie 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 to his promise, Tucker
came again, accompanied this time
by gentleman some years his SEN
| Tor, named Rathbone, with whom
| Colonel Holes recalled some slight ac-
| quaiutance. This time they came with
a very definite proposal, empowered,
SO they told him, by one whose name
they, would not yet utter, but which.
If uttered, must remove his every
doubt
For that, Randall, you will accept
our word, 1 know" said the grave
| Tucker.
Holes nodded his agreement and
| the proposal was disclosed. 1t offered
him a position which in an estab-
| lished government would have been
dazzling. 1t was dazzling even as
things were, to one in his desperate
case, driven to the need Of making
a gamblers throw. II on the one side
he probably set his head, at least !he
stake they offered could hardly have
| been greater. .-..s.-
And they tempted him further by
revelations Of how far their prepare
tons were advanced. and how thor.
ough these were.
A tap at the door interrupted them.
Tucker bounded up. propelled by his
/ uneasy conspirator's conscience.
Rathbone, too, glanced round I'M
easily.
why. what's to startle your" said
the colonel quietly, smiling to behold
their fears. ut is but, my good host
ess."
She came in from the common room
bearing letter that had just been
brought for Colonel HOLES
He took it. wondering; then, observ-
ing the great seal, a little color crept
into his cheeks. He spred the sheet,
and read. under the observing eyes
Of his friends and his hostess.
Twice he read that letter before he
spoke. The unexpected had happened,
and it had happened at the eleventh
hour, barely in time to arrest him ON
the brink OF what might prove a
precipice.
Luck has stood your friend sooner
than we could have hoped" wrote
A1bemarle. "A military post in the
Indies has, as learn from letters
just received. fallen vacant 1t is an
important command full worthy of
your abilities, and there. overseas,
you will be safe from all inquisitions
If you will wait upon me here at the
cockpit this afternoon, you shall be
further informed"
He begged his friends to excuse him
moment, took pen, ink. and paper
from the sideboard and quickly wrote
few lines in answer.
When Mrs. Quinn mad departed to
convey that note TO the messenger.
and the door had closed again, the
two uneasy conspirators started up.
Questions broke simultaneously
from both of them. For answer
HOLES placed Albemarles letter on
the table. Tucker sratched it w,
and conned it, whilst over his Shout
Ter Ratlbone read it. too.
At last Tucker lowered the sheet,
and his grave eyes fell again upon
HOLES.
And you have answercd-vhat7"
he demanded.
That l viii wait upon his grace
this afternoon as he requires of me. "
Put to what end?" asked Rath-
bone You can't mean that you will
accept employment from govern
ment that is doomed. "
The Colonel shrugged. LAS I have
told Tucker from the first, I serve
Governments; I do not make them
Put just n,'w -. - Tucker was
beginning.
Il wavered 1t is true But some.
thing else has been flung into the
scales" And he held up Albemarle g
letter.
They argued with him after that;
hut they argued vainly.
IF I am OF value to your govern.
snent when you shall have estab.
lished it, you will know where to find
me; and you will know from what
has happened now that I am trust
worthy"
But your value to lis is now, in
the struggle that is coming And Il
Is for this that We are prepared t.
reward you richly"
He was not, however to be moved
The letter from Albemarie had
reached him an hour too soon.
At parting he assured them that
their secret was safe with him. and
that he would forget all that they
had said. Since. still, they had dis
closed no vital facts whose betrayal
could Illustrate their purpose, 1t was
an almost unnecessary assurance.
They stalked out .resentfully. But
Tucker returned alone moment
later.
Randall" he said, cit may be that
upon reflection you will come to see
the error of linking yourself to gov.
eminent that cannot endure. to the