Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-12-21
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throat But on the instant it was drown
ed by the sound Of a door opening and
the tramp Of feet on the stairs.
CHAPTER VII.
l looked around. Sir Deakin had pick
ed up the lamp and was mixing his bowl
humming to himself without the least
concern.
nand me the nutmeg yonGer" he
said, and then. why, daughter what's
this Pa trembling hand =
And all the while the footsteps were
coming up. There was a loud knock on
the door.
Come inn called Sir Deakin.
At this, Jacques. who stood ready for
battle by the entrance, wheeled round
shot a look at his master, and dropping
his point. made a sign TO me to do the
same. The door was thrust rudely open.
and Captain Settle, his hat cooked aver
one eye. and sham drunkenness in ais
gait, lurched into the room, with the
whole viliaiuous crew behind him, bud
died on the threshold. Jacques and
stepped quietly back, so as to cover the
girl.
Would you mind waiting a momentT
inquired Sir Deakin, without looking up,
but rubbing the nutmeg calmly up and
down the CRATER; "a fraction too much,
and the whole decoction viii be spoiled
II took the Captain aback, and he
came to e stand, eying us who looked
back at him without saylng a word. And
this discomposed him still further.
There was minute during which the
two parties could hear each others
breathing Sir Deakin set down the nut
meg, wiped his thin fingers on napkin
and addressed the Captain sweetly:
Before asking your business, sir. /
would beg you and your company to
taste OF this, which. in the court Of
France"-the old gentleman took sip
from the mixing ladle--has had the ex-
treme honor to be pronounced divine.
He smaeked his lips and, rising to his
feet. let his right hand rest on the silver
foot OF the lamp as he bowed to the
Captain.
Captain Settles bravado was plainly
oozing away before this polite audacity.
and he pulled off his cap in shame
faced manner and sat down by the table
with a word Of thanks.
Come in, sirs-come in called the
old gentleman, and follow your friends
example Twill be a compliment TO make
me mix another bowl when this is i'm
ished." He stepped around the table to
welcome them, still resting his hand GA
the lamp as il fo- steadiuess. | saw his
eye twinkle as they shutiied ID aud stood
around the chair where the Captain was
seated.
Jacques, bring glasses from the Guy
board yonder; And. Della. tetch up
some chairs for our guests-nO, sirs,
pray do not move
He had waved his hand lightly to the
door as he turned to Us; and in an in
slant the intention as well as the bright
success of this comedy flashed upon me.
There was now no one between US and
the stairs. and as for Sir Deakin him
self, he had already taken the step Of
putting the tables width between him
and his guests.
touched the girls arm, and We made
as il to fetch a couple Of chairs that
stood against the wainscot by the door.
As we did so, Sir Deakin pushed the
punch bowl forward under the Captains
nose.
Smell. sir" he cried airily. ''and re-
port to your friends on the foretaste"
compound. With a swift pa 5 of the
hand the old gentleman caught up the
lamp and had shaken a drop OF burning
oil into the bowl. A great blaze leaped
to the ceiling There was a howl--a
scream OF pain, and as / pushed Mis-
tress Della through the doorway and out
To the head OF the stairs, [ caught a
backward glimpse Of Sir Deakin rushing
after US. with one OF the stoutest among
ne robbers at his heels.
Downstairs, for your life!' I whis-
per'd 70 the girl, and turning. a. her
father tumbled past me, let mis- pursuer
run on my sword. rs on spit At the
same instant, another blade pass'd
through the fellow transversely, and
Jacques stood beside me. with his back
tn the Intel.
As we pulrd our swords out and the
man dropp'd, hal brief view into the
room, where now the blazing liquid ran
of the table In a stream. Settle, stamp
ing with agony, haa his palms press'd
against his scorch'd eyelds. The fat
| landlord. in trying to beat out the flames,
| had increased them ~ upsetting two bot
ties Of aqua vitae, and was dancing about
with shree fingers in his mouth. The
rest stood for the most part dumbfound-
| ey'd. but Black Dick had his pistol lift
/ ed.
! Jacques and l spring out for the land
! ing and round the doorway. Between
the fash and the report / felt a sudden
scrape. as Of a redhot wire. across my
left thigh aud just above the knee.
Jacques pointed down the staircase,
where, by the glare of the conilagrati0n
that beat past us, l saw the figures OF
Sir Deakil and his daughter standing.
But how can you keep the door
against q dozen:"
The Frenchman shrugged his shoulders
with a smile. Al this moment came
rush Of footsteps within the raoJn. saw
a fat paunch thrustiug past us. quiet
pass of steel and the landlord was wal
lowing on his face across the threshold
jacques teeth Suapp'd together as he
stood ready for another victim; and as
the fellows within the room tumbled
back, he motiOn'd me TO leave him.
sprang froa his side. and catching the
rail Of the staircase. reL,h'd the foot in
a couple Of bounds.
Hurry" l c-ied. and caught the old
haronet by the hand. His daughter took
) the other, and between US we hurried
him across the passage for the kitchen
door.
Within, the chambcrmad was on her
$ knees by the settle, her face and apron
! Of the same hue. saw she was in
Q capable Of helping. and hasten'd across
. the stone floor. and out tow ard the back
J entrance.
A stream Of icy wind blew in our faces
= as we steppd over the threshold The
4 GIRL o,1 -. - - 8,