For Love and Glory.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8168, 26 June 1906, Page 2

For Love and Glory.

CHAPTER XV.—Continued. He had not quite decided what tactics hfl would employ should ho be successful, leaving that; for the time when ho faced t no ullies. Having found hia rntin, a fellow who bad bean of sumo vnluo to him during tho nay in eeeiua the sights of this strantja he engaged him to make the rounds, describing* those ho was anxious to find To hi 3, delight, Kojimi Bingo, wbiob was tho native courier's name declared he knew just whern such sojourners ban put up, aiul it the gentleman would be ploased to ko with him, iu h>df an hour he believed ho could corner tho quarry. And Armand rejoiced, as he strode aloug at tho side of the obntteriug Jap, for the aigua were propitious. CHAPTER XVI. GODAIGO TAKANOKI HAS HIS PKIOG. The courier of Tokio, Kojimi Binco, was ns good as hia word, since I e took Armand, without any unnecessary circumlocution, direct to the native iou, where the two men had put up. Whether Seller J una particularly fancied his quarters or not might ben question; but he knew the ■virtue of necoar-ity m a case like this, and could make the best o it. They may bavo been a little anxious over the coming of the other* ou the scene, but Tokio is a big place, without tho admirable detective service of u Paris; and, besides Godaigo Takauorl felt that he had some sort of a pull with ihe authorities, so the two worthies hung on, determined to carry what business brought them to tho Japanese capital to its proper consummation. When Armand turned up he found them sitting just outside the door, smoking peacefully and watching the passers-by. At sight of him, the Spaniard jumped to hia feet, doubtless uttering some warm exclamation, indicative of alarm. He wa9 immediately pulled down into his seat by the cool Jap, who manifested little concern. And Armand knew intuitively that he was about to have a tough argument with this keen-witted and sagacious rascal. Ho also felt that the other would, in all probability, get the better demanding in insolent tones terms that could not be complied with, just to gratify his spite, mi.v that the tables were turned Rod the game in his hands. Straight up Armand walked. Ho knew men of tnis strioe always felt a certain/respeci for boldness, aud it was worth something for h'm to make a good impression ou them in the beginning. "Good-mornins, gentlemen," he said, nodding and smiling in the most cheerful manner imaginable. They took his audaciity in widely different ways, for while the Jap smiled grimly and gave a little nod in return, tho Spaniard glowered with back in his coal-black eyes. You see, it was not so easy to forget that night plunge in the 000 l sea, and what agonies of mind he had endured concerning sharks and other submarine monsters, aud while clawing desp6ratly at the smooth side of the yacht, shrieking for help, as well as the salt water that hud almost smothered him, wo&rd permit. And since he owed that taste of purgatory to the young American, it was to be expeoted that he would hate him good and hard, as only one of Latin blood could. "I'd like to have a little chat, providing you can spare the time,' continued Amrand, blandly, coming to a halt before them. He addressed himself peraonally to the Jap, feeling that hia chances were better in that quarter, and besides, Godaigo was the real leader. "Very good—bb seated," said that worUiy, indicating a bench n°ar thier own; which in itself was a startling innovation in a Japanese tavern, since guests squat upon the floor with never anything indisative of comfort beyond a rug, and sleep in pretty much the same way. And yet, they talk of the luxuryloving Orientals! "You did not expeot me to hunt you up, I imagine," suggested Armand, to break the ioe. Kojimi Bingo lounged near at hand, ready to assist his employer if needed, and Armand took more than a little comfort from his presence, for the courier was a sturdly built chap, and evidently of a character to give a good account of himself in the case of necessity. "Üb, yes, I did!" voouhsafed the Jap-Philippino in the most nonchalant manner possible. Which caused Armand to immediately to aay to himself "That settles the matter—he's got it," meaning, of course, the package of valuable papers Tessie had foolishly lost. "Onr Inst meeting was a warm one, but I'm sure you are ready to give me credit for only doing what I was In honour bound to risk on behalf of my friends. Of course, as brave men, yott couldn't bear mo any malio© ' suoh action?" ; f . Armand was trying a lifctle logic, but he spread it pretty thick. The Spaniard shot a few shafts of lightning from bis scintillating eyea, but the other only chuckled aa though amused at th® audaoity of this avowed enemy in bearding them.' „ "None at all," he declared, looking up at the roof ol the "engawft" over tbeir heads.

By St-" George &athhorne. Author o/ "Dr. Jack," " The Witch from India,» •'« Captain Tom," "Mynheer Joe," " Dr. Jack's Wifeetcetc.

"I thought not. Now, I don't; believe iti bolting around tlio bush. You know what 1 wan!?"

.The cautious polyglot looked cuuuinul? at him. "How should I? Perhaps yo:i thin If I have consulted til i old iHlroioger under the wall; or lhut lam miiid reader. 1 nauiiot coujuro tho 'oni.' or what you cull an evil spiiit. hpeuk plainly, then." ho mud, Armand know ha wished to ie<d hia way. and not ooicrai.t himself to speedily. "Une of the ladies low!; something while on board the ynoht - ,". ho observed. The other smiled grimly, (oil!tit' him there oould bo no duubL lio rcns on tlio riuht track. "A diamond?" naked Goituigo, cunningly. "Ob, no!" "Rubies —pearls, perhaps?" Armand shook bin h'ja.l ncgativo iy- .. "Oo:no, you arouae my • 1 i-it-j, senor. What could it hto been, si not jewels?" "n small package of papers.' r He saw Senor J uau look quickly at hi« companion, and the ghost of a smile flit across over his dark, handsome face, as though ho had just began to grasp the situation, and comprehend what brought the other Ihere, for perhaps' ho had seen the Ja*) pick up the packet, "Papers, and lest by u lady," echoed Godaigo, "Yes." u 'Caramba!' that is qw?er." Brought up amon'g the Spaniards of Manila, ho cosmopolitan had natrually embraced their ways, as well as their speech. "Well, she values the papers to a certain extent. They are not worth a cput to anyoue else, but she has commissioned me to pay five hundred yeu for their deilvery." Armand said his calmly, blowing the smoke from his mouth, unconcernedly. The Jap did not seem at all stunned by the liberality of the offer. "Tell me, what sort of a paokage was this. PerhaDS it had a sweet little blue ribbon tied about it?" be ven tured, with a twinkle in bis eye. "There is no doubt about it that you have seen the package I am hunting—that you know where it is this minute, and could lay your hand upon |it. Well, are five huudied yen worth anything to you when picked up for the asking?" The other shook his head decidedly- • "Make it six—uot enough yet, I'll sayj'seven, though I doubt if value is in the papers'to the lady. Still obdurate? Would eight hundred move you if I offered it? Just to think, four huurded dollars for papers that themselves are not worth a peso to you. Strange, that you atill shake your head. Very good, I shall on my own responsibility add yet another hundred and make it nine. You never had such a neat chance for filling your pocket, my friend. Think of what your sacrifice by being too greedy. I warm you, 1 am perilously near my limit. (Joins, going at nine hundred yen. Do I bear you consent—are you convinced?"

Armand had taken the bull by the horns, and ome started, the humour of the thing kept him babbling on in great shape.

"Senor, are are you prepared to pay now?" demanded thfl other, eagerly, glancing around as if to disoover what manner of spot this mieht be to countenance an assault on an unwary tourist; for there be places in, Tokio where such things may be attempted with impunity. "1 should ask you to meet me at tho bank of Tokio, where you would receive all," replied Armand, who was not doseived by this apparent acquescence. Godaigo shook his big head. "Excuse me, senor, you have not offered sufficient inducement," ho sneered. "Well, 1 shall make one more raise, and I warn you beforehand that it is positively the last. If you refuse it, we shall be compelled to resort to sterner measures. One housand yen for the papers. But the man laughed in bis faoe. "You joke, seuor. I understand they are valuable eo ihe lady, and she has much fortune. Then I would be a fool to let them go for one little bandfull of gold. You must have a very poor opinion of my sagacity, senor, be ejaoulated, boldly. "I do think there is suoh a thing as overreaching o-eself, and that you are about to do it," grimly. "Well, I'd sooner put a match to the papers and destroy them than to take such a pitiful sum. Oh, no, senor, we deal not in such low margins. l'ou shall increase your last bid many times ere your fingers touch those papers." "I like your nerve. Plainly we can do no business to-day, at least, in the line of ready oash. Do you know I'm a little curious to know what your figure is." "A 000 l hundred thousand, senor," was the unabashed reply. Armand laughed derisively. (io be Continued.)