The Lamar register., 1909-02-10

gangs formula, had been mysteriously
killed. Barris received a telegram of in
structions. He and Pierpont set out to
locate the gold making gang. valet re-
ported seeing a queer Chinaman in the
supposedly untenanted woods Roy went
hunting. He fell asleep in dell. On
awakening he beheld beautiful girl at a
small lake. .|-
CHAPTER v.
sent him off to bed. saying should
keep the dogs with me all night; and
when he was gone, took a good long
draught of ale, lust to shame the
devil" as Pierpont said and lighted
cigar. Then l thought of Barris and
Pierpont, and their cold bed, for
knew they would not dare build fire,
and, in spite of the hot chimney corner
and the cracking blaze, shivered in
sympathy.
III tell Barris and Pierpont the
whole story and take them to see the
carved stone and the fountain" /
thought to myself; what a marvellous
dream 1t was-Ysonde-if it was a
dream.
Then I went to the mirror and ex-
amined the faint white mark above
my eyebrow.
as sat listlessly cycling my coffee cup
which Hewlett was filling. Gamin and
Mioche set up a howl, and i'm a mo-
ment more l heard Barris step on the
porch.
Hello, Roy" said Pierpont, stamp
ing into the dining-room, Il want my
breakfast, by lingo! Where's Hewlett
none of your cafe au lait for mel
want a chop and some eggs. Look at
that dog. he'll wag the hinge Off his
tail in a moment"
"Pierpont," said !, this loquacity is
astonishing but welcome. Where's
Barris? You are soaked from neck
TO ankle
Pierpont sat down and tore off his
stiff, muddy leggings
"Barris is telephoning to Cardinal
Springs believe he wants some of
his men-down, Gamin. you idiot,
Hewlett, three eggs poached and more
toast-what was | saying? oh, about
Barris; he's struck something or other
which he hopes will locate these gold
making fellows. l had jolly time
he'll tell you about it,
BILLY, Billy" / said. in pleased
amazement, you are learning to talk!
Dear me! You load your own shells
and you carry your own gun and you
{ fire it yourself-hello! here's Barris,
all over mud. You fellows really ought
to change your rig-whew. what
frightful odor!"
Its probably this" said Barris,
tossing something onto the hearth.
where it shuddered for a moment and
To = st In,
the woods by the lake. Do you know
what it can be, Roy"
To my disgust l saw 1t was another
of those spidery, wormH crablike
creatures that Godfrey had in Tiff
fanys.
Il thought l recognized that acrid
odor.' 1 said "for the love of the
saints. take it away from the break
fast" I replied. firmly Hewlett. get
a broom and sweep that thing into the
road. What are you laughing at, Pier
pont?"
Hewlett swept the repulsive crea-
ture out and Barris and Pierpont went
to change their dew-soaked clothes for
dryer raiment. David came to take
the dogs for an airing and in a few
minutes Barris reappeared and sat
down in his place at the head of the
table.
WELL" said /, "is there story to
tell?"
Yes, not much. They are near the
lake on the other side of the woods
1 mean these gold-makers. shall
collar one of them this evening. II
haven't located the main gang with
any certainty-shove the toast rack
this way, will you, Roy-no. am not
at all certain, but I've nailed one, any
way. Pierpont was a great help. real
ly, and, what do you think, Roy?
He wants to Join the secret service!"
Little Willy!"
Exactly. Oh, I'll dissuade him.
What sort Of reptile was that
brought in? Did Rowlett sweep 1t
away"
He can sweep 1t back again for all
1 care" l said indiferently. I've
finished my breakfast"
NO" said Barris. hastily. swallow
ing his coffee, "it's Of no Importance;
you can tell me about the beast"
Serves you right II had 1t brought
in on toast" returned.
Pierpont came in radiant, fresh
from the bath.
go on with your story, Roy" he
said; and told them about Godfrey
and his reptile pet.
Now, what in the name of common
sense can Godfrey find interesting in
that creature?" ended, tossing my
cigarette into the fireplace.
ITS Japanese, don't you Think"
said Pierpont.
NO" said Barris. at is not artistic
ally grotesque; it's vulgar and horri- |
ble-it looks cheap and unfinished"
Unfinished. exactly" said I. like
an American humorist-"
YES" said Pierpont. Cheap. What
about that gold serpent?"
"Oh. the Metropolitan Museum
bought 1t; you must see it, it's mer-
velcus."
Barris and Pierpont had lighted
their cigarettes and, after moment,
We all rose and strolled out to the
lawn, where chairs and hammocks