Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1907-11-21

ear to ear, IN a of which Tom now
eheld q gold earring smeared with
blood. But he was determined to be
Mortified no more, and, the trio beckon-
Ing him, he Joined them with what
alacrity he could in the straight waist
coat Of stiff wounds which now i'm
prisoned him.
WELL" began the little gray man
we're going to give you a trial."
Tom broke out with impious thanks
which the other instantly cut short.
stop till you hear what that MEANS"
said Hockey. "It mean that we sad
dle up straight away and stick up
Castle Sullivan before morning. 1t
means that you've got to make your
self extra useful there, since you know
the place. So what do you say to it
now%"
For the moment Tom could saw
nothing at all. He was too surprised,
ana IN his surprise he was thinking of
the Sullivans and sweet revenge of
the detested spot he meant never to
see again and Of Peggy who must be
protected all at once.
"Well? said Hockey. you know
the place. What do you say?"
"Tm known there too"
what Of that?
"Ihey'd make a mark Of me. The
Sulliyans would have NE back alive or
dead. Then | have enemies among
the men. They'd side against me out
of spite"
"Well, W. shall all wear masks"
Tom glanced down at his regulation
jacket, shoes and trousers. took off his
regulation cap and shook his head.
ut would never be enough. There
are too many of them wearing the very
same a. these"
Then you'll just have to take your
chance" said Hockey sharply, "or YOU
may kneel down and say your pray
ers."
"Stop"" said Slipper.
"Well, what now?"
"Francisco's rig!"
Hockey considered the suggestion
and finally accepted it, though with an
evil grace.
"All right; out with them,' said he.
And you slip into them, young fellow,
without more Of your jaw. We shan't
walt for you. Saddle up there, saddle
up, or We'll never get off tonight!"
The little gray nan was altogether
changed. The long mellifuous word
gave way to the m%onosyllable Of short
and sharp command, the horn specta-
cles seemed to kindle and flash to right,
left and center all at once, and yet in
three OR four minutes they were bent
as benignly as ever upon Tom, who
was now, however, another man him
self.
Long spurs, longer boots and a bright
blue jacket with enormous buttons,
though some sizes too large, became
him wonderfully, upon the whole, and
a straw hat such as DR.. Sullivan wore
and the conNicts plated, but wreathed
with leaves and berries in a foreign
fashion, crowned a disguise which only
required the mask to render it COM
plete.
"Be good enough to turn round"
said Hockey Simpson, with his former
urbanity and some perceptible amuse-
ment.
Tom did so, and there was De Cru
chy still sitting in the moonlight, with
his head between his hands, and the
others as busy as bees.
Nov turn back again-and many
thanks! That was an admirable idea
of Slippers. They'll take you for
Francisco himself, and, on the whole,
it's just as we'll they should. Yet,
mind you, he was a pretty hard nut.
You mustn't disgrace his CLOTH"
Tom was shaking his head when
there was a loud cry Of "Francisco!
Francisco" behind him, and he turned
in time to catch De Gruchy on his
knees, with his clasped hands raised
and a face Of ashes that broke into
flames as the apparition Of the dead
man resolved itself into the newcomer
In the dead mans clothes. With a sin
gle bound the Frenchman was upon
him. The hat was torn off, and q
gasping, glaring figure crouched with
1t in both hands as the others rushed
up and closed about him.
"Calm yourself. Calm yourself" said
Hockey Simpson, stepping forward.