Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1907-06-28

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The table caught them full and square.
words, but Detchard's head was close
to that of the taller of his companions
Ode Gautet, guessed.
"H'm. Private communications"
thought l. Then / said aloud:
"Well. gentlemen, what's the offer?'
"a safe conduct to the frontier and
$4,000 English"
"No. no." whispered AntOinette In the
lowest of whispers. "They are treach-
erous."
THAT seems handsome" said l, rec
onnoitering through the chlnk. They
were all close together, just outside the
door now.
I had probed the hearts OF the ruf-
fans, and / did not need Antoinettes
warning. They meant to rush" me
MS soon as 1 was engaged in talk.
"Give me minute to consider" said
l. and / thought l heard laugh out
side.
| turned to Antoinette.
"Stand I'D close to the wall out Of
the line of fire from the door," / whis-
pered.
"What are you going to do?"- she
asked in fright.
you'll see," said l.
l took up the little iron table. 1t was
not very heavy for a man OF my
strength, ard held it by the legs. The
top, protruding in front of me, made a
complete screen for my head and body.
l fastened my closed lantern to my
belt and put my revolver in handy
pocket. Suddenly saw the door move
ever SO slightly. Perhaps it was the
wind; perhaps it was a hand trying it
outside.
Il drew back as far as could from
the door, holding the table in the posi-
ton that 1 have described. Then l
called out:
Gentlemen, / accept your offer, re-
lying on your honor. If you will open
the door
Open it yourself" said Detchard.
'Tt opens outward" said l. Stand
back a little, gentlemen, or shall hit
you when open it.
/ went and fumbled with the latch.
Then 1 stole back to my place on tip
toe.
II can't open itr' cried. "The latch
has caught"
"Tut. I'll open it, cried Detchard.
Nonsense, Bersonin! Why noti Are
you afraid of one mann
l smiled to myself. An instant later
the door was flung back. The CLEAN Of
lantern showed me the three close to-
gether outside, their revolyers leyeled.
With shout charged at my utmost
pace across the summer house and
through the doorway. Three shots rang
out and battered into my shield. An
other moment and leaped out, and the
table caught them full and square, and
in a tumbling, swearing, struggling
mass they and l and that brave table
rolled down the steps of the summer
house to the ground below. Antoinette
de Mauban shrieked,. but rose to my
feet, laughing aloud.
De Gautet and Bersonin lay like men
stunned. Detchard was under the Ia
BILE, but as l rose he pushed it from
him and fired again. l raised my re-
vOlveF and took a snap shot. l heard
him curse, and then ran like hare,
laughing as l went, past the summer
house and along by the wall. I heard
steps behind me, and, turning round,
1 fired again for luck. The steps ceas-
cd. :.
"Please Cod" said I, "she told me
the truth about the ladder" for the
wall was high and topped with iron
spikes.
Yes, there it was. was up and over
in minute. Doubling back, I saw
the horses. Then 1 heard a shot. 1t
was Sapt. He had heard us and was
battling and raging with the locked
gate, hammerlng it and firing into the
keyhole like man possessed. He had
quite forgotten that he was not to take
part in the fight Whereat 1 laughed
again and said as clapped him on the
shoulder:
"Come home to bed, old chap. I've
got the finest tea table story that ever
you heardw
He started and cried, "You're safer
But moment later he added:
"And what the devil are you laugh
ing att"
"Four gentlemen round tea table,"
said 1, laughing STILL, for it had been
uncommonly ludicrous to see the for
midable three altogether routed and
scattered with no more deadly weapon
than an ordinary tea table.
Moreover, you will Observe that l
had honorably kept my word and not
fired till they did.
CHAPTER x.
fA0T was the custom that the
l8I project of police should send
S0@1 every afternoon report to
tSsH&y me on the condition Of the
capital and the feeling Of the people.