TIE & TRICK,

Waikato Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2391, 5 November 1887, Page 1 (Supplement)

TIE & TRICK,

Ilcijoejtet*

BY HAWLEY SMART,

Ar-mou of “Hnf.KziK Lancto.n," " Bkokkn Bonus,” “ Sociai, Sixnkks,” “Tim CkkatTonti.nl,” “At Fault,” &e., &c.

CHAPTER XXVIII

WHELDRAKE FULFILS HIS PROMISE.

Dakknkss reigned over tho camp, and its denizens were for the most part locked in slumber. Wholdrakc lay stretched upon his bed without the faintest inclination to close bis eyes. It was hitler to think that this girl, to whom lie had given all the passionate love of Ids being', had ceased to care for him. Yes, bo would do it ;do it fur her sake. I might or might not. come off; but that lie was risking ids life in either case lie could not in the least disguise from himself—his life morn in danger perhaps should he succeed in the during attempt hei meditated. Quo privilege only lie reserved to himself with steady determination. Maude should know wind, manner of man this was for whom she hud put. Ids love away from her. Yus, there must be a coitain amount of trickery all round in it. Ho had deceived Maude, ho was going to attempt to deceive Patroeeui and Ids gang, They were men who stood no nonsense, and it was very likely that short shrift would be bis wiu-n he was detected ; and Haminerton —yes, to a certain extent lie must deceive even him, for very manhood Haminerton would decline to accede to Ids scheme otherwise. A man may be a great .scoundrel but uo cur, and though Wheldrako regarded Fred Haminerton as liar, blackleg, and villain, yet even he never doubted his courage. Now the questions was when should ho commence proceedings. Ghmlield and Haminerton had fared no better than old Jackson in their bedroom accommodation ; like him they had the turf for a couch, the sky for a coverlet. Still Wheldrako knew pretty well where they were stretched, not so close together ho had noticed while waiting to keep his appointment with Maude, but it would bo possible to wake the one without, disturbing the other. Although there was no doubt about there being several sentries round t.he fringe of the wood—their eternal cigarettes gloaming like tire-flies proved that only too conclusively these man mado no attempt to'interfere with the movements of tho prisoners within their cordon Wholdrakc rose and stepped cautiously out into the darkness of lire summer night. All was still save the faint sigh of tho breeze through tho trees, hut. Whcldrake fancied even now he could catch a glimpse in tbo sky of tbc vising rnoou, although that luminary was not as yet visible. He listened long and attentively at tho door of Patroceui’s tent ; ho even ventured to crouch down and steal his head under the botton curtain. The quiet, low, regular breathing of the sleeper completely reassured him. Then he made his way softly in the direction of the spot whore he knew Hammorton had laid huntelf down. It might be rough accommodation, but Wbeldraki could not hut remark that though stretched beneath the stars they had nevei shpt sounder within iho walls of Wrottsley. Cautiously ho made his way until he came to Harmncrtou, and, stooping down, placed his baud lightly on his shoulder.

ll.umnerton would have sprung to his feet at once had not Whcldrakc’s firm grasp restrained him. “ Hush 1” he whispered, “ not a word ! Got up and follow mo. Your life is iu extreme danger.”

Haimnertou rose without further comment, and quietly followed Wheldrake back into the tent. When they got within it Cyril said coolly “ I told yon next lime we played, Captain llammerton, our lives would ho the i-tako, little thinking my mild words would so soon come to pass. ] have little cause to love you, little cau-e to spare you, but I cannot see you murdered in cold hlood. Hone of your lives are, I believe, in jeopardy, but yours. Patroceni, for reasons wo have no lime to go into, seems to have conceived a peculiar animosity to jourself and you will be the victim should there bo any hitch in the negotiations. Wo must change places.” “ Wo shall do nothing of the sort,” said llammerton, quietly, “I don’t for one instant admit the allegations that it lias pleased Palroeoni to make against myself. I have been his dupe oven more than you. I mast pay the penalty.” 11 Nonsense, I tell you 1 am in no danger, you are. Don’t think oven now yon won’t, run a tremendous risk. 1 will de.sciibo it to yon, and yon shall elect then whether or no you will attempt to escape. Your escort is, or was to be, Sarini, the Count’s right-hand man. He knows as they all do, that I won Undrawing of lots which decided who was to go into Naples about this ransom For the others that this arrangement has been changed will not, I think, seem very astonishing, to Sarini it probably would, for bo is very much more in Patroeeni’a confidence than any of the others. 1 should scarcely have suggested this change of parts to you if I had not heard that Sariui had to day met with an accident. That may prevent his being your escort.” “No, AVhcldrakc, I can hardly buy my life at your bands in this fashion. Luck lias ordained that you are to go to Naples—go.” "It shall bo as you wish,’' returned Wbeldrake, coolly. “ Yon will run quite risk enough if yon attempt my scheme, if your nerve fails you don’t try it,” he continued, coldly. The taunt stung Uainmcrtou, as it was intended to do. Ho felt it was better to die in a daring attempt to escape than to go like a sheep to the shambles—the risk tempted him as Cyril meant that it should. He. hesitated for a few minutes and then said, “Mr Wheldrake, I am in your hands ; you shall do what yon deem best for myself and the rest of us.” “Good, then you will go?” rejoined Wheldrake. “ There is a big cloak and a sombrero to slouch over your brows Lie down on that bed ; I shall be on the ground ''obiml it. Let me apeak for yon in the first instance, and if I find Sarini is to accompany yon it is too risky to be attempted ; otherwise I believe my plan to lie quite feasible.” “I accept your offer,” replied Hammcrton, “and pledge myself to be guided by you in every particular.” “Then remember this,” said Wbeldrako, in low tones of concentrated passion ; “ I am doing my best to save your life at the bidding of one for whom I would risk fifty lives if I had them. Bo false to your trust, put a hair of her head or that of any of the rest of them in danger, ami 1 will slay yon with my own hands, wherever I find yon, should I escape from the hands of I’ratroceni. What wrong you have done me I pardon yon, but fail m# now and yon have an enemy who reeks bis life as nothing, and will be thoroughly unsparing in bis vengeance.”

“ A tempting offer," sneered Hammerton. “ I risk my life in attempting to escape, chance number one against me. I make a relentless enemy if 1 bungle my

mission, chance number two against me. I only risk my life if I stay here. Two to one against your scheme, I think. I think I’ll remain.” “As you will. One can only draw the bolls for a captive ; if he’s afraid to run the gauntlet of the warders one can do no more. He it as you will.” “I am uotafraid,” rejoined Haminerton,

fiercely, “though I’ve no fancy to die if I can help it. You’ll not see me flinch if these beggars put me up for a target to-morrow.”

“ I have fulfilled my promise,” said

Wholdrakc coldly, as be walked leisurely to the door of the tent, “ It is for you to decide. You may estimate your danger more correctly than I do, but I think it may go hard with you liorc.” He glanced out at the moon now visibly rising behind the trees. “ You have not much time to make up your mind,” lie remarked over bis shoulder, “ the moon will top the cedars before half an hour is past, and that seems to bo the signal gun for all expeditions in this camp.” Ilaminei'ton made no reply, but sat upon the bed plunged apparently in in sullen reverie. Wheldrako paid no attention to him, but stood at the tent door, apparently equally 7 absorbed in Ids own thoughts. “ They are stirring amongst the trees,” he remarked at last as ho turned and w dked slowly hack into the tent. '• Wrap yourself in the cloak. Pull the sombrero well over your brows, and lie down upon the bed.”

For a minute or two Hammorton hesitated, and then without the slightest comment did what Whcldrake desired. An interval of ten minutes, ami then

‘Signor, Signor,” was uttered iu Saiiui’s tone through the door of the tent. “It is lime you were ou the move.” “ Hist," whispered Wheldrako, as ho laid iiis hand on Hammcrton’s breast.

“ Let me speak to them and see how the land lies.”

“Ah, Signer, said Sarini, as Wheldrake appeared. lam so distressed that the fates forbid me to be your escort. I can but see you start, and bid you God speed. I twisted my ancle crossing the stepping stones of the rivulet this after-noon-slipped on that treacherous centre stone where the lichen grows so strongly aud Corpo deßuceho, my limb is no better to me at present than a wooden one.” The man was walking with a stick and the assistance of one of his fellows.

“I regret, Signor Sarini, not to have the benefit of your guidance,” replied Whcldrake, courteously, “and more especially the misfortune that deprives me of it, but I have no doubt that you have selected a perfectly efficient deP“ty-;’. Sarini shrugged his shoulders, and said quietly, “Pietro will do his best, Signor.” It reminded Whcldrake of the famous line at tho conclusion of “Plot and Passion,” when Foucho takes the pinch of snuff upon hearing his portfolio is withdrawn, and exclaims, “ What ! Savarny after me !” It was the equivalent to the. Bourbons after Napoleon clearly in Sarini’s eyes He is probably right thought Whcldrake, but it is much more to my purpose that it should be so. Savarny is far preferable to that terrible Duke of Otranto in such circumstances.

“I shall be ready for you in a few minutes,” he replied, ami turned back again into the tout. “Listen," he continued in a low voice, as he gripped Hammerton’s arm, “ your chance has come; don’t let your nerve fail yon. Keep your face well nndllcd against the raw air of the morning, and above all don’t speak if you can help it, and then as briefly as possible. Here they are again ; now.” Hammerton rose quickly from tiie lied, and as Wheldrake said aloud; “ Quite ready, Signor Sarini," stepped through the door of the tent.

1c was an anxious moment for Hammcrton. Who could say that amongst the little group outside might not be Patroceni, to give some last instructions ; but such fears proved groundless. Sarini was there, leaning on a stick, and evidently in pain. He contented himself with bidding the supposed Wbeldrake a brief adieu, and handing him over to Pietro and three of his comrades, waved his hand as a signal for the party to proceed. Two or three minutes and they were through the sentries, and rapidly threading their way through the wood. At the expiration of about ton minutes they stopped, and Pietro gave a low whistle, which was almost instantly replied to. Another minute or two, and from amidst the trees came a man leading a imilc, on the back of which was, apparently, a rude ambulance. Hammerton gazed with no little astonishment at this addition to their number, and Pietro, after exchanging a few words apparently with the occupant of the ambulance, gave the signal to proceed, and said—

“Ah, Signor, it is only that poor devil, Giovanni, who was near losing his life on your account. You saw him struck down, and only ho’s a skull of granite there would have been only his burial to see about, but lie’s come round. He wants nursing and better food than wo can givo him hero to restore his strength. Ah, Signor, Ids Excellency is merciless in his anger,. He does not get in a passion like other men, but one would bo safer with one possessed than with him. There just comes a glitter in his eye such as one could fancy iu a tiger’s before its spring, and the boldest man might tremble for bis saftety then.” Now this was, of course, to a great extent incomprehensible to Hammorton. He had never hoard of Giovanni, but it was clear that ho was the victim of the Count’s wrath and had narrowly escaped with his life. There was a circumstance that did not much interest Hammorton; but these revelations of Patrooem’a ruthless temper had a strango fascination for him, and, regardless of Wheldrake’s caution, ho could not resist saying—- “ Yon stand in groat dread of his Excellency, apparently ?” This, however, did not produce the premature discovery that Wheldrake was so anxious to avoid. He argued that, should the discovery be made close to the camp, the brigands in charge of Hamraorton might refer back to the Count or Sarini tor fresh instructions; but if they wore well on their way they would hesitate to lose the time that would necessitate. One of the party was as good as another for arranging this matter of ransom, and nothing was more probable than the decision of the lots had been changed by mutual arrangement amongst t-heaisolves, Bat Pietro had not been iu close charge of Wbeldrake like Sarini, and was consequently by no moans familiar with his voice, and it’was without mistrust be replied—

“ I’ve chanced my life all of u», many a time, but it would bo all child’s play to falling under the ban of his Excellency. Signor, those who for fear of the authorities would turn against him, don’t know him. I’d rather be a mm ked man by the police in all Europe than incur the chief’s displeasure. I’d feel safer iu prisou yonder,” and ho waved his hand, as Hammertoii supposed, iu the direction of Naples, “ than know myself the object of bis Excellency's enmity.” They continued to push forward at a rapid rate, and as the smi got higher in the heavens Hammcrtou felt Ids cloak oppressively warm. The sharp walk had constrained bis companions to throw aside tho upper muflliugs which most of them had worn at starting, and they were now .swinging along with these garments either thrown over 'heir arms or on the reverse sido of the ambulance sontaining

Giovanni, Haminerton felt at last that, ho must follow their example and discard his cloak. He threw it back, and Pietro immediately exclaimed—

“ Let me throw it on the mule for you. Tho Signor will travel easier.” Then as he took tbc cloak iiom him and the broad daylight disclosed Hammcrton's identity, he ejaculated, “ Holy u Virgin it is the other Signor.” “ You were not told then by Sarini,” replied Haminerton, nonchalantly; lie would hardly think it worth mentioning. “It was settled among ourselves I should go after all.”

For a few moments Pietro looked puzzled, but then he reflected that Sarini had fetched liammerton out of his tent aud handed the prisoner over to him. I must be all right, besides his orders were to lose no time in getting to the outskirts of Naples where the prisoner was to be free to follow bis own dictates.

“ His Excellency knows best,” grumbled Pietro, “ but 1 don't see tho use of drawing lots if you’re not to abide by them ; however my orders arc to see you iu Naples,” and Pietro strode on in silence.

CHAPTER XXIX

THE GAME BEGINS

Police-agent Leroux meanwhile is highly delighted with his discovery, ; a case tills after his own heart; his bend against tho chief of tho banditti—an illiterate ignorant robber, no doubt; why it was a case of a game between a rough provincial performer and a skilled artist ! Capital ! Bold, common-place cutthroat sends in and ransom ; prisoners to lose their cars or lips if the money be not forthcoming by date named by envoy, entrusted with the marauding mountain kinglet’s commission; living like other royal but more recognised families on irregular taxation. Clearly the business of Police-agent Leroux was to outwit this bandit, aud lay him aud his crew by the heels as speedily as might be. Leroux did not overlook tho fact that he had a delicate affair to manipulate, a matter requiring infinite skill and finesse. He had in the first instance to get Sir Jasper and his party safely out of the hands of his abductors, and that without paying the ransom which he had no doubt would be placed upon them. Secondly, Policeagent Leroux was not as yet satisfied regarding Mr Chisel. He could not decide as to whether the valet was an innocent man or an exceeding crafty villain. When Chisel suggested on their return to Naples that it might be his master bad also fallen into tho hands of the brigands, Leroux rather scoffed at the idea, but he had since come to the conclusion that that solution of Signor Wheldrako’s disappearance was very possible. Quite likely' that he had fallen into the hands of these gentry somewhere between Pompeii and Naples ; still in the meanwhile it would be well to keep a wat-hful eye on Chisel.

Police-agent Leroux was quite impatient for the next move of the enemy. Until their envoy arrived in Naples he felt lie could do nothing. That envoy might even be in Naples at this moment, and be not know it. Ho questioned and requestioned Chisel with a view to discovering with whom Sir Jasper would be likely to communicate, but though the valet was quick-witted enough ho could only suggest people already obvious to Leroux, the English consul, Sir Jasper’s bankers, with all of whom the police agent was already in communication. Nothing for Mr Leroux, evidently, but to wait the appearance of the bandits’ emissary in Naples ; sooner or later he was bound to disclose himself, as be could hardly hope to carry his mission to a successful conclusion without doing so, till then both he and Chisel were doomed to that most trying of all things in times of excitement—inaction.

Leroux counted on getting the first nows of Sir Jasper's party from bis bankers. The bureau of the police, the brigands messenger, would, if wise in his generation, naturally shun any interference of the myrmidons of law being calculated to sign the death warrant of those he had left behind him. The Neapolitan police might be quite incompetent to deal witli it, hut they had wide experience of the ways of brigandage, and thoroughly understood the customary usages of the craft. Without the system of ransom it would be a poor calling, as what Mr Wemmeok terms the “ portable property,” carried by travellers in these days would bo poor recompense for the risk and hardships of the profession, but that grand old institution of the Middle Ages, the holding prisoners to ransom was extremely profitable, and though a ease so near Naples had boon rare of late, yet in more remote districts Messieurs the Brigands had given proof that they were not to be trifled with.

One morning Polico-ageut Leroux was informed that the Chief of the Bureau desired to see him, and upon his repairing to that functionary’s cabinet he was addressed with—

“ Well, Leroux, these scoundrels have spoken at last; but if it hadn’t been for your judicious arrangement with the head clerk of Toldi and Fratz, I fancy we should never have heard of it.”

“Ah, they should he more liberal in the matter of salary to confidential clerks.”

“ You had bettor go down with this note from mo ; tell them ” —and hero the great man almost swelled with the importance of his position—•“ that nothing escapes the knowledge of the Neapolitan police ; that your orders are to be present at their next interview with this envoy from those scßundrcla of the mountains. That we have made up our minds to settle with these gentry and put an end to such a scandal so near the city. Yon will, of course, take care to he disguised ; make yourself up in any character that seems good to you.” “ Very good, Signor,” rejoined Leroux, “ your orders shall be attended to at once, and I shall, of course, report to yon as soon as possible. Old imbecile,” he muttered to himself as he left the room. If I followed his instructions those English would never see their miserable island again.” Once in his own room, and Leroux’s spirits rose, like that suppositious warhorse who sniffs the battle from afar. Disguise himself ! Bah 1 There was not much necessity for that, still it might simplify matters if he were to dress after the fashion of one of their clerks ; perhaps, it might be as well to conceal bis identity, and working out a thing of this kind ho know from experience that it was always as well to keep your real personal appearance in the background as far as possible. A police agent, like an actor, is simply not master of his profession unless he can, so to speak, jump after a few minutes preparation into a new skin a If he cannot make up so as to defy recognition ho can never hope to achieve the first rank as a detective. It is essential that an ofiieer of this class should be protean. Child s play all this to Leroux. False eyebrows, a wig, a few dashes of the pigments, a change of clothes, and ho walked out into the street an elderly clerk of some business house, instead of the smart-looking police agent, and made his way quietly down to the banking establishment of Toldi and Kratz.

The astonishment of the partners when Leronx sent in his note was extreme. Hammertoe had requested them to keep his presence in the city a profound secret, and more especially from the police, and the bankers were wondrously puzzled as

to how on earth the police had learnt that Patroccni’a envoy had arrived in the city, for, thanks to Haminerton, Messrs Tohii and Kratz knew who the chief of the brigands was, a fact of which the police were as yet in ignorance. It was awkward—very awkward —they had pledged their word to Captain Haminerton to communicate neither with the

police nor the English Consul. Hammerton, despite everything that had gone before, was undoubtedly desirous of acting locally and doing his very best for the captives he had left behind him. That any interference of the police might prove hazardous he thoroughly comprehended, yet here was the very thing he was so anxious to guard against about to take place. Signor Toldi remarked that it was very awkward, and Signor Kratz replied that it was very unfortunate, but no one ever dreamt of disputing the decrees of the police in Naples, and so at last Signor Toldi gave orders that the bearer of the note was to be admitted. A few minutes and Leroux was ushered into the room, in appearance the fnc-ximile of an old banking clerk. The partners started with considerable surprise at the new coiner, they hud never experienced the visitation of the police before, and their representative was so utterly uulike what they had expected. “ Perhaps you will take a chair,” said Toldi, the Senior partner, “and explain a little comprehensively what it is you wish, Signor—Signor,” and then the baker took his double eye-glass out for the purpose of reading the agent's card. “Leroux,” interposed that gentleman, quietly, “ this case is iu my bauds, and tho sooner I explain to you what I mean doing the better. It can be told you in one word, nothing. You will allow me just to hear what demands these gentlemen make, and we shall exercise our own discretion in dealing with them in the future, for the present we are quite aware it would he most injudicious on our part to interfere.”

“ But the ambassador of these brigands is most desirous to keep his mission a secret as far as posssitle.” “ He is, of course, one of the prisoners themselves, released to negotiate for the freedom of his companions. Nothing is easier than for me to be present when he arrives. He has come to you for a large turn of money. Well, lam SignorSteiu, the money-lender, who propose to help you in raising the sum required if I see my way, but I naturally wish to understand the whole of a delicate transaction like this. If it is blundered I may find that I have parted with my money aud that those to whom I look for payment are dead. Emphatically there must be no interference of the police. I decline to advance a stiver if it is not carefully kept from their ears ; they arc quite as much bandits as the others, and will think not of the lives of the captives, but how they can make most money,” The bankers started at this touch of Leroux’s histrionic powers. He had thrown himself at once into his assumed character, aud was to all intents the shrewd, business-like money-lender, anxious to do a profitable stroke of business, if the risk were not excessive. A smile of satisfaction crossed Leroux’s face at the astonishment of the partners. It was an unfeigned compliment to his powers as an artist, and no man, much less a Frenchman, but would thoroughly appreciate that. “ You will do what I want, I see. When do you expect tho bandit’s emissary ?” “Almost immediately,” replied Signor Toldi, “but do you know who you have against you ? Are you aware who this bandit chief is ?”

“Certainly not. This to our knowledge is the very first outrage perpetrated by the band in this neighbourhood. I have no doubt we shall arrive at his name in a day or two, and find a very complete biography of him in our hooks.” “Yes, you’ll know his name well enough when you hear it,” suddenly ejaculated Kratz. “You’ve got against you the most daring, most ruthless, and cleverest man that ever fate drove to the mountains. A man of high birth, great abilities, and good education. I can speak with authority, for T have been in his hands, and am a poor man comparatively to this day in consequence.” “There is only one man in our annals answers that description,” interposed Leroux, excitedly. “Do yon moan to say that it is Patroceni himself ?”

“Yes,” almost screamed Kratz, “the villain who wrung from me the hard earnings of years. But what would you ! life is sweet, and it was that or my gold. I would not sign the drafts they put before mo, till I found myself bound and looking down the muzzles of half a score of carbines. I caught ray breath at the word ready; it was weak, but when Patroceni, after a minute’s interval, gave the word present, I cried out, ‘ I will sign, I will sign 1’ ” And I suppose at the next word they wore to fire?”

Kratz nodded assent, and it was evident that the old man’s thoughts went hack to that morning, years ago, when he had made up his mind to look on the sunlight for the last time, and blenched at the last moment, in the face of the levelled carbines.

He was very much older than his partner, and it was only by the withdrawal of the hulk of his capital, which entailed the forfeiture of his position as leading partner in the house that he hud procured the wherewithal to satisfy Patroccui’s exorbitant demands.

“It’s a very sore subject with him, poor fellow,” said Signor Toldi, in a low tone, to Leroux. “This Count Patroceni he says, truly, well nigh ruined him years ago.” At this moment one of the clerks entered with a card, and after glancing at it, the banker gave orders to show the gentleman in. “ This Captain Hanunerton,” continued Toldi, “is the prisoner the Count has released to treat for the ransom of his captives ? ” Leroux said nothing ; he was endeavouring to recall what he had heard about this Patroceni. At the bureau they were full of stories of his audacity and ability both as brigand and political outlaw, hut during the two or three years that Leroux had been in the Italian service nothing had been heard of him, and Leroux regarded him as a somewhat mythical personage upon whom all tales of audacious violence were fathered, and now he was committed to a veritable duel with the celebrated outlaw, Leroux, as said before, was an enthusiast iu his profession. He felt as a keen sportsman might feel on receiving the intelligence that there was a stag royal on the hillside, as the Indian Shikaree might feel when he Heard there was a tiger of mark in his immediate vicinity. Another moment, and Hammerton enters. He has been to his hotel, dressed, breakfasted, and washed all stain of travel from his person. A good-looking, dashing ex-soldier, whom Leroux regards attentively. He greets the partners with easy assurance, but at the sight of the police agent stops abruptly. “The business I’ve come about, Signor Toldi, is strictly private, as you know.” “ Most certainly ; but it is absolutely necessary that we should take this gentleman into our confidence. Let me introduce you to Signor Stein—Herr Stein, I believe I should say,—the greatest financier wo have in Naples. When it comes to raising such a sum as, I fear you will require, it is absolutely necessary to have Ifia assistance. Now, Captain Hara-

merton, we will proceed to business. You want a big sum of money, and under the circumstances you want it as quickly as maybe. The first question is, briefly, how much must we endeavour to find?”

“Thirty thousand pounds, English,” replied Haminerton, curtly ; “and it's no use thinking of a reduction of terms We've tried all that. Patroeeui lias got us, like iats, in his trap. He knows we can find that, and he means to have it before lie releases Sir Jasper ami the others.”

“Thirty thousand pounds 1” gasped Toldi.

“ Thirty thousand pounds!” shrieked Kratz. “The bandit! The brigand! The extortioner! Thirty thousand pounds ! That villian Count will leave you all paupers, as lie left me.” “ Thirty thousand pounds !” muttered Leroux to himself. “A great man, this ; a man worth playing against. The boldness of tho conception shows the greatness of the intelligence. The old man tlwrc was right, this is no ordinary robber, but a very king of bandits “It sounds a big sum,'' continued Haminerton. “ But it is useless to waste time in discussing what is long past discussion. If you can't find this sum amongst, you, tall me who else lo go to. As fur who Sir Jasper Evcrsleiyh is go to the British Consul and he will satisfy you that he could find four times that amount in extremity, but remember every day, nay every hour, is precious. Pay for money raised off-hand, in this manner, wo must. Wo arc iu you hands, gentlemen. I can only- pray you to be moderate in your demands. What does the Signor Stein say “ Might I ask the exact position of this gentleman's camp inquired Leroux, suavely;

“ No,” rejoined Haminerton, sharply, “I am pledged to give no information ou that point to anyone, and there are five lives dependent upon my silence. What matters it to you where my friends are in durance f Can you and will you assist to find this money ?” “ I apologise, Signor, for ray indiscretion,” replied Leroux, rising. “ I will leave you to talk matters over with the Signors Toldi and Kratz, whom I feel quite sure may assure you that the sum you require will be forthcoming. ” And so saying, Leroux shook hands with the partners, and with a low reverence to Hammefton left the room. (7b be eonliuv.eil.)