The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1909-02-13

had been interrupted. Anyhow, what
horrible mess this murder would
make of the affair! and how was he to
keep the women out of it! All at
once, in the examination which he had
been making (while a dozen gruesome
possibilities tumbled over one another
in his mind) he stopped; he put his
ear to the mans heart.
isn't he dead?" asked Tracy, under
his breath.
"No, he is not dead, but I'm afraid
he'll never find it out" returned the
colonel, Struggling his shoulders.
However, any brandy handy? And
| get me some water"
81 know where there is some brandy
Ill get it; there is some water in
the fountain right-Cary!"
| e'What's the matter?" demanded
! Cary Mercer in one Of the arcade door
ways of the patio. whats happened:
The devil! Who did this?" He strobe
up to the kneeling soldier.
"You are in a position to know
much better than l." said the colonel,
dryly. 1--WE came this moment; we
found this"
Gary. did you do it?"-the young
man laid his hand on Cary's shoulder;
his face was ashy but his voice rang
full and clear. IF you did, am sure
you had reason; but want to know;
we're partners in this thing to the
finish.''
Thank you, boy" said Cary, gen.
| tly; that's good to hear. But didn't
hurt him, Endy. Why should 1? We'd
got what We wanted" I
"Who did?" asked the colonel.
II didn't and Kito didn't. He went
away to see his only brother who is
sick. He hasn't got back. I don't
know who did it; but whoever stabbed
him must have done it without warm
ing him; for didn't hear a sound. I
was in the library"
Hes breathing little, think"
murmured the young man, who was
sopping the gray mask of a face while
Winter trickled brandy drop by drop
into the sagging mouth, handbook!
somebody has tried to rob him; that's
a money belt!"
The waistcoat was open and Winter
could see, beneath, a money belt with
buttoned pockets, which had been torn
apart with such haste that one Of the
buttons had been wrenched off.
"They seem to have been after
money" said he; "see! the belt is full
of bills; there's only one pocket
empty"
Perhaps he was interrupted" ex-
planned Mercer. push the brandy,
colonel, he's moving his eyelids, suh!'
We've got to do something to that
hole in him, first" said the colonel.
Els there any doctor"
II daren't send for one"
Ebony Arnold might know one we
could trust" suggested Tracy. Il can
get him over the long distance"
1--WE want somebody now, this min.
ute," declared the colonel.
There's Janet Smith," said Mercer,
my sister-in-law; she's Mrs. Winters
companion; she used to be trained
nurse and a mighty good one; she
could be trusted"
Could she? And how the terms Of
his distrust had changed! He had
fought against an answer in the az
firmative this morning; now his heart
was begging for it; he was cold with
fear lest she wasn't this conspirator's
confederate.
"Send for them both," said he, with
no sign of emotion.
'Tll call up Aunt Rebecca," said
| :, - Do
not move him till we get the wound
dressed, don't you reckon, colonel?"
But the colonel was already making
rough tourniQuet out of his handker-
chief and pencil to stanch the bleed
ing. The others obeyed his curt d.
rections; and it was not until the still
unconscious man was disposed in a
more comfortable posture on the cush-
ions which Tracy brought, that Win
ter sent the latter to the telephone;
and then he addressed Mercer. He
took sealed package from an inner
pocket and rendered it, saying: "You
know who sent it. Whatever happens,
you're a southern gentleman, and 1
look to you to see that she-they are
kept out of this nasty mess-abso-
lutely."
"Of course" returned Mercer, with
a trace of irritation; what do you
take me for? Now, hadn't I better
call Janet?"
But if this were to be discovered"
"She wouldn't have done anything;
she is only nursing wounded man
whom she doesn't know, at my re-
quest"
every WELL" acquiesced the colonel,
with long sigh as he turned away.
He sat down, cross-legged, like .
Turk, on the flags beside the wounded
man. Mercer was standing little
way off. It was to be observed that
he had not touched Keatcham, nor
even approached him close enough to
(! reach him by an outstretched hand.
Winter studied his face, his attitude
and suppressed the slightest of starts;
Mercer had turned his arm to light
another electric bulb and the action
!