The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-07-24
CHAPTER X.

A card party-And a strange one zoo,
composed indeed Of the very last people one
would have expected TO see engaged in the
pastime invented TO anause royal fool.
The party was assembled in the lower front
room Of No. "A, Narrow lane, in which
Ralph Royal and his partner had had their
split. In the fitful glsam Of the two can
dies, which stood in battered sticks upon
the table, the flames Pickering every mo-
ment in the numerous cross-draughts, the
whole place wore an aspect OF the most sor.
did desolation.
Big shadows lurked IN che dirty corners
and the ill-fastensd shutters ratified threat
eningly as IL the angry storm insisted ON
being admitted, while the wind moeped
round the narrow courts aud alleys hard by.
An indeAnable aircf mystery hung over
the scene.
Four men were assembled In the room
one hunokback-Lawrenoe Huutingford
II there had been anything wanting TO
make the scene actually grewsome. twas
the presence Of that distorted form.
Each member Of the quartet plainly
mistrusted the other three. and that with
an apprehension, which indicated some
great interest," at stake. other than she more
winning or losing Of the game
AS will readily be guessed. the other play
ers beside the hunchback, were Leonard
Ferret, the detectives son, Royal, and his
partner the famous Rat.
But why were they idly fritterinR away
their time in foolish game at oardsl
To fully explain We must return to the
meeting between little Gray-clOaks lover
and the man with the bundle.
The latter vanished down the court and
directed his steps to Narrow-lane.
His face was set, and as he plunged into
the network OF alleys and courts he muttered
between his teeth
ave done the trick often enough for no
good, but when II was to save that girl
from him l bungled like baby. Well, I've
lost my chance Of getting to Dover tonight.
Missed the last train by ten minutes. It's
hard TO be away from my little one for so
much longer, but it was for the sake of
girl who like her Is out in the world alone
And there's a chance yet l will save her.
At all events, for my girls sake. I'll have
another try"
Here he glanced up at the windows Of No.
IA, but found all dark.
mot yet arrived" he muttered to him
self. II shall be in time then"
Just at that moment light glimmered
at the door from a candle held by an old
woman, who was giving abundance to two
hgures-a man and woman. In an instant
the wind extinguished the fame, but in the
dim light the man with the bundle saw the
bag extend her hand to the girl, and greet
her warmly
ne Wdlleu uULll J06 Olu CIOu6 U6u taken
the young woman inside.
Her late escort was about to hurry of,
when the man with the bundle stepped up
30 him.
"Royal, l want to speak to you"
The other man started. He had never
expected his partner Co give up, after all
the idea Of sp it, but the bare hope oilSuch
thing was enough, and 50 he followed
with a.aerity, when, opening the door of
No. IA with his master-key. his companion
led the way into the house.
His hopes were. however, dashed.
An angry scene ensued, in which Royal
lost his temper, but the elder man, who
was OF course the Rat, kept perfectly cool.
The dispute grew more and more heated
until the elder man at lost turned away his
eyes. but only for an instant-the next he
had turned again. and seized in an iron
grip the hand with which Royal bad been
stealthily drawing out Of the Jewel studded
bosom of his shirt a small nickel pistol
The whole thing was done 80 neatly that
the fellow never guessed that his thought
Of treachery was discovered, although he
dropped the weapon at once.
Don't do that" said the Rat with care
less laugh, as if the matter was a Jest.
firearms make a noise" and he picked UP
the pistol and laid it on the shelf, adding as
he showed a bowie knife, better carry one
like this. 1t has my name on the handle.
scratched 1t there SO that when am taken
dead, the bloOdhounds may know who has
trlcked them even 70 the end.n
AT this moment there came slight noise
at the door.
who is it?n asked the Rat in a whisper.
as Royal peered through the slide in the
door.
Its boy. think, - was the reply. for
falling snow prevented him seeing distinctly.
"His head doesn't come far enough for me
to-but it isn't a boy at all; its hump
backd edwarf / saw at the station
Lawrence Huntiugford!" calculated the
Rat.
you know him then?n asked Royal.
KNOW him Would to heaven he had
never been bornw
tT"Ol" said Royal, quickly, this must be
the cousin you owe grudge TO. You said
there weren't two such crooked devils In the
world, and now I've seen him / believe
you
hat can be want hereFn
why, 70 renew family ties, Of course,