The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1909-01-23

"Oh, no, not southern" protested
the young man. Eyes, l should say
it was English-or trying to be-"
1T would be exactly like Millicent,"
thought the colonel, wrathfully, Ito
try to fool the kidnapers, who had ap.
parently lost Archie, by pretending he
was at the hotel"
He made no comment aloud, but he
nodded assent to MERGERS proposal
to telephone; and then he walked up
to the stove man.
THE game is up" he said, quietly.
I'VE have a lot of men waiting out.
side. If we signal, they will come any
minute; II we don't signal, they will
come in ten minutes. Give lis chance
to be merciful to you. This is no kind
Of scrape for your fathers son-or
for Arnold's."
Shot without range though 1t was,
Winter was sure that it went home un-
der all the young fellows assumed be-
wilderment. He continued, looking
kindly at him:
"You look now. I'll wager, about as
you used to look in the office when
you called on the dean-by invitation
and were wondering just where the
inquiry was going to light"
The dimple showed in the young
mans cheek. Il admit he replied.
that I didn't take advantage as I
should of my university opportunities.
Probably that is why have to earn a
strenuous livelihood boosting the Only
Peerless Fireless Stove. By the way.
have you ever seen the Fireless in
action? Just the thing for the army!
Fills a long-felt want. should be
very pleased to demonstrate. We have
q stove here"
The colonel grinned responsibility.
"You do it very WE'LL" said he. Cant
you let me into the game?"
There was the slightest waver in
the promoters glance, although he
smiled brilliantly as he answered: "Ill
take 1t into consideration, but-will
you excuse me? I want to speak to
Mr.. Mercer about the stove"
The moment he had removed his
affable young presence Birdsa]l ap-
preached his employer. 1t had been a
difficult quarter Of an hour with the
detective. Vague instinct warned him
not to touch the subject Of Miss
Smith; he felt in no way assured
about anything else. The result had
been that he had fidgeted In silence.
But the accumulated food could no
longer be held.
1--WE found out one thing" exploded
Birdsall, putting in the haste of his ut
terance. THE boy is on the prem.
ises'
Think so?" was all the coloners
answer.
I'm sure Of 1t. Say. overheard
Mercer talking down speaking tube. "
What did he say?"
Talked French, damn him! But
say, what's gorge?"
Throat"
whats cupillo gorge?"
Sure he wasn't talking Of a car.
riage, or did he say je le couperai Ia
gorge?"
Maybe. I wouldn't swear to it.
don't parlez francais a little bit"
did you hear any other noises?
Where we're they?"
Birdsall thought he had heard other
noises, and that they were down cellar.
"And, anyhow, colonel, I'm deadto-
rights sure those guys are giving us
hot stuff to get us out Of the house.
I'm for getting our men in now and
rushing the house. It's me for the
cellar"
While the colonel was rolling Bird
sails information around in his mind,
he heard the echo of steps on the flag
ging which preceded Mercer and the
other man.
There was that in the bearing and
the look Of them that made the watch.
err, used to the signs Of decision on
mems faces, instantly sure that their
whole course of plans and action was
changed.
Mercer spoke first and in low tone
to the colonel.
II have no right" said he. ito ask
30 MUCH ITuSC from yOu DuL Will you
trust me enough to step aside with
this young man and me for a mo-
ment only-out Of earshot? give
you my word of honor I mean no
slightest harm to you. I wan, to be
frank. will go alone II you desire" "
The colonel eyed him intently for
the briefest space. "Ill trust you"
said he. Then: II think you have the
key to this queer mix-up. At your
service. And let your friend come,
too. He is an ingenious sort, and he
amuses me-"
Birdsall looked distinctly sullen over
the request to wait. intimating quite
frankly that his employer was walking
into a trap. II won't stand here more
than Is minutes" he grumb1ed. Eve
given those fellows POGO tiente long
enough" But the colonel insisted on
20 minutes. and reluctantly Birdsall
acquiesced.
Mercer conducted the others to the
library. When they were seated he
began in his composed, melancholy
foohion.