San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1924-03-05

F, Twice lie read that letter before he
spoke. The unexpected had hap
pened, and it had happened at the
eleventh hour, barely in time to ar
rest him on the brink of what might
prove n precipice.
Luck has stood your friend sooner
than we could have hoped" wrote
Albemarlc. "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 inquisi-
tons. If you will wait upon me here
at the Cockpit this afternoon, you
shall be further informed"
He begged his friends to excuse
him a moment, took pen, ink, and
paper from the sideboard and quick
ly wrote few lines in answer.
When Mrs. Quinn had 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 snatched it up,
and conned it, whilst over his Shout
der Rathbone read it, too.
At last Tucker lowered the sheet,
and his grave eyes fell again upon
HOLES.
"And you have answered-what?
he demanded.
"That / will wait upon his grace
this afternoon as he requires of me-"
But to what end?" asked Rath-
bone. "YOu can't mean that you will
accept employment from a govern
ment that is doomed"
The colonel shrugged. GAS I have
told Tucker from the first, serve
governments / do not make Them"
But just now ." Tucker was
beginning.
Il wavered. 1t is true. But some
thing else has been flung into the
scales" And he held up Albemarle's
letter.
They argued with him after that |;
but they argued vainly.
IF ! am of value to your govern
mCnt whsn you shall have established
it, you will know where to find me !;
and you will know from what has
happened now that am trustworthy
But your value to us is now. in
the struggle that is coming. And it is
for this that We are prepared to re-
ward you richly"
He was not, however. to be moved.
The letter from Albemarle 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 disclosed
no vital facts whose betrayal could
Illustrate their purposes. it was an al
most unnecessary assurance.
They stalked out resentfully. But
Tucker returned alone a moment lat
er.
Randall he said, at may be that
upon reflection you will come to sec
the error of linking yourself to a gov
eminent than cannot endure, to the
service of a king against whom the
hand of heaven is already raised. You
may come to prefer the greatness that
we offer you in the future to this
crust that Albemarle throws you at
the moment. If you are wise, you
will. If so. you know where to find
me. Seek me there. and be sure of
my welcome as of any friendship"
They shook hands and parted, and
with sigh and smile HOLES turned
to load himself n pipe. He was not,
he thought, likely to see Tucker again.
That afternoon he waited Upon Al
bemarle, who gave him particulars of
the appointment he had to offer. 1t
was an office of importance, the pay
was coed. and so that if HOLES dis
charged his duties well, which the
duke + no occasion to doubt, there
would even better things in store
for hi.A 1efore very long.
THE one thing to efface the past
is a term of service now. wheresoever
it may be. Hereafter when l commend
you for some other place, here at
home, perhaps, and / am asked what
are your antecedents, l need but point
to the stout service you will have
done us in the Indies, and men will
inquire no further. 1t is temporary
exile, but You may trust me TO see
that it endures no longer than is nee
essary."
No such advocacy was needed to
induce Holes to accept an office that,
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