Evening star., 1897-07-31
PART Nj.
Chapter KIN.

PART Nj.
CHAPTER XIX.
1t was no small thing could enlighten
that brain, clouded by the fumes of drink
and conceit, but at length the silence, now
perfect and clothing panic-a silence thai
had set in with his first word, and panic
that had grown with a whisper, which
passed round the table-came home to him.
What is it? What is the matter?' he re-
peated, with silly, drunken laugh. And
he turned to look.
No one answered him, but he saw the
strange sight which 1 had already seen
his fellows fallen away from him and hud-
ding on the further side of the table, as
sheep huddle away from the sheep dog;
some pale, cross-eyed, and with lips drawn
weapons, while others stood irresolute or
leaned against the wall shaking and un-
Eerved.
AT that sight he turned to me again.
more than half Sobered Wont he drink
the toast?' he maundered in an uncertain
voice. 'Why-why not. I'd like to know I?
Eth? Why not?" he repeated and stag
gered.
Historically: and, this breaking the spell.
a second found his voice. God! 1t is not
the man. the latter cried with rafting
oath. 1T is not! L swear it is not!' he
speak fool!' he went on to me. What do
you here?'
This for Mr. wilkins" answered. hold
ing out my note.
| meant no jest, but the words supplied
the signal for such roar of laughter as
well-nigh lifted the roof The men were
Still between drunk and sober. and in the
rebound of their relief staggered and chung
to one another. and bent this way and
that in a very paroxysm of convulsive
mirth. Vainly one or two, less heady than
their fellows, essayed to stay tumult that
promised every moment to rouse the
watchmen; it was not until after a con-
siderable interval. nor until the more
drunken had laughed their fill-and 1 had
asked myself a hundred times If these were
men to be trusted with secrets and others
recks-that the man with the white hand
kerchief, who had just entered, gained at
last silence and a hearing. This done how
ever. he rated his fellows with the utmost
anger and contempt: the two elderly gen.
fiemen whom have mentioned adding their
quavering. passionate remonstrances to his.
But as in this kind of association there
can be little discipline, and those are most
forward who have least to lose. the hot
heads only looked silly for the moment.
and the next were calling for more LIQUOR
MOT bottle!" said he of the white hand
Aerchief Nom de Dieu. not a. bottle
Come captain, we are not on service
now one demonstrated.
them. MY at
:, mo. not We" cried the other, recklesslv
And, what is more, we will have no Rsas
ment du Roi regulations here. To nnt -
gentleman to have a second bottle ~ be
wants one?" " NC
1T is y O'clock" replied the canta,n
firmly. For the love of heaven '"p,a,n' nn
walt until this business Is over and to-,
urlhk until you burst. If you please For
me-; .eai,t am nm going to bed" u
o.. but BUT who Is this-lord! don't know what
to call him!" the fellow retorted turnina
with haif-drunken gesture to me ..This
gentleman dancing masterw
messenger from the old Fox. Mr. Tay-
iol, l. tnink he calls himself" the ofiicer
answered. turning to me.
Yes said l.
wen ycu may go. Tell the gentlenar
VINO sent you that Wilkins got his note
am ~ VIII, pear the matter in mind"
said would; and was going with th..
ana never more glad than to be ont of that
company But the fellow who had asLaS
VINO VINO l was and who being thwarted of bis
iv tn ms, mMS nov % out OF temper. called rude
rlgged me cut like a lord, swearinc thnt
fersusons service must be a ID daai
peter PETER tnan the one he was in, and the nav
the cue to the man who haf, he,arn nus , gave
.ne arink on me. who. still having the c,,n
IN his hand, thrust himself in INV waw up up
torclng 10 the liquor on me SO violently that
though all the Scotch colonels in the ,,trss .nas
barred the way. I should drink his tnast
or he would skew er me- ''As''
To Saturdays work. A straight eve and
a hrm hand!' he cried "Drink man
drink! For s-hunting we viii 20. and a.
hunting we win go! And IL we don't fiush
the game at Turnham Green, cali me q
bungler!" e
I Heard one Of the elder men nrotest v,.,
something between a curse and a groan
that the fool would proclaim It at Charine
Cross next, but thinking only 10 be gone
ana the man being SO drunk that It was
ryrrv11 A.xA
more obstinate and imperil my skin, took
the cup and drank and gave 1t back to him.
By that time two or three Of the more
prudent+f any In that company could be
cal DrIldaYaf--had rio