The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1905-02-23

throat But Oh the instant IL was drown
ell by the sound OF door opening and
the tramp OF feet on the stairs.
CHAPTER VII.
looked around. Sir Deakin had pick
eel up the lamp and was mixing his howl.
humming to himself without the least
concern.
Hand me the nutmeg yonder." he
said, and then. why. daughter. what's
this?-a trembling handf''
And all the while the footsteps were
coming up. There was loud knock oh
the door.
Come in!' called Sir Dcakin.
Al this. Jacques. who stood ready FOR
battle by the entrance. wheeled round,
shot look at his master. and dropping
his point. made a sign 10 me To TO the
same. The door was thrust rudely open,
aud Captain Settle. his hat cooked over
one eye. and sham drunkenness In his
gait. lurchcd into the room, with the
whole yillainous crew behind him. bud.
died ON the threshold. jacques and l
stepped quietly back. 80 Ms to cover the
girl.
Would you mind waiting q momentT'
inquired Sir Deakin. without looking M.
but rubbing the nutmeg calmly up aud
down the CRATER: "a fraction too much,
aud the whole decoction will be spoiled.
IL took the Captain shack, and he
came TO stand. eying US, who looked
back Mt him without saying a word. And
this discomposed him still further.
There was n minute during which the
two parties could hear each Others
breathing. Sir DeakIn set down the nut.
meg, wiped his thin fingers on a napkin
and addressed the Captain sweetiy:
Before asking your business, sir. |
would beg you and your company 10
taste OF this, which, in the court of
France"--,he old gentleman took a sip
from the mixing ladle-"has had the cS-
treme honor TO he pronounced divine.
lie smncked his lips aud. rising 20 his
feet. let his right hand rest on the silver
foot Of the lamp rs be bowed 20 the
Captain.
Captain Settles bravado was plainly
oozing away before this polite audncity,
and he pulled oil his cap In shame.
faced manner and sat down by the table
with word Of thanks.
Come In. sirs--come in called the
old gentleman. "and follow your friends
example. Twill be n compliment To make
me mix another bowl whcn this is fin.
ishcd." lie stepped around the table 20
welcome them. still resting his hand on
the lamp MS Il for steadincss. ] saw his
eye twinkle as they shuilled Ia aud stood
around the chair where the Captain was
seated.
Jacques. bring glasses from the cup.
hoard Wonder: And, Della, fetch W.
some chairs for our gucsts-no. sirs.
pray do not move
lie had waved his hand lightly 20 the
door as he turned TO us: and ia 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 Dcukin him.
SELF. he had already taken the step of
putting the tables width between him
aud his guests.
touched the girls arm. aud We made
az IL To- fetch couple ~ chairs that
stood against the waiuscot 10y 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 10 your friends On the foretaste"
Settles nose hung over the Sicaming
compound With swift pass OF the
hand the old gentleman caught up the
| lamp and had shaken u drop of burning
oil into the bowl. \ great blaze leapcd
10 the ceiling. There was howl--a
scream OF pain. aud rs ! pushed Mis-
tress Della through the doorway and out
10 the head of the stairs. caught n
| backward glimpse of Sir Deakin rushing
after us, with Que ct the sioutcst among
4 the robbers at his heels.
Downstairs. for your life l whis
| per'd To the girl, aud turning. a. heI
father tumblcd past me, let his pursueI
run OH nay sword. as on a spit. At the
same instant. another blade pass'd
through the fellow transycrscly. and
Jacques stood beside me. with his back
tn the Intel.
As We pnll'd our swords out and the
man dropp'd. had brief view into tbs
room. where now the blazing liquid ran
OF the table in a stream. Settle, stamp
ing with agony. had his palms press d
against his scurch'd cyclids. The Eat
landlord. Ia trying TO beat out the tlamcs
had increased them by upscttins two bot
tles OF aqua vitae, and was dancing about
with three fingers la hiS mouth. Tn,
rest stood for the most part dumbfound
er'd: but Black Dick had his pistol lift
| ed.
Jacques aud spring out Tor the land
| ing and round the doorway. Between
| the flash and The report ] gc!t sudden
srrapc. rs ~ rrihot wire. across ~!
lcft thigh aud just above tie knee.
Jacques pointed down ihc staircase
where. by the glare % the c"u'larrai.or
that beat past Us. ! saw 10. figures oi
| Sir Dcakin aud his daughter standing.
"Bui how can YOU keep the duoi
against hnzcny'
The Frpnchman shrugged lIs shoulders
with n smile. Al this moment came
rush OF footsteps within thr room. ! saw
fat paunch thrus,ihg past us. n quie
pass OF steel. and the landlord was wal
lowing ON his face across the threshold
Jacques teeth snapn'd together - h'
stood ready for another victim: and n