The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1909-12-30
CHAPTER XVI.
FIFTY DROPS A RAHDBoX.

to hike back for 1t. You are absent
minded. Now. what's the matterT'
Hillard sighed heavily
There you go againr' laughed Mer-
rihew. You tack that sigh to every
thing you say.
Hillard was human. He might be
deeply In love. but this bad not de-
stroyed his healthy sense of humor.
so he laughed at himself
Its curious business-the dinner
the mask. the veil. the mystery went
on Merrihew. Il tell you frankly. Jack.
something's wrong. and we shall both
live to find 1t OUT
But what? Heaven on earth. what7
Haven't | tried to figure it out till my
brain aches? haven't gone forward
single inch
what shall you doT'
Nothing. When we have seen Flor
ence we'll drop down to Perugia and
Rome. then up TO the Italian lakes,
after that home. if You say
Hillard looked at his watch.
"Only o. he said. Lets go over to
Gambrinus' and hear the music"
The Hotel ltalie was but a few
blocks from the Piazza vittorio Eman-
uele. They found the Halle crowded.
noisy and interesting. From the Halle
they went downstairs and through the
billiard room. Under the arcade they
found small table. Presently two Of
ficers. one IN the resplendent uniform
Of a colonel. went past Hillard's
pulse was tuned TO quicker stroke.
Il hope be doesn't see u.s." he said.
tipping his panama over his eyes.
Merrihew scowled fercely.
$50 long as he doesn't observe us"
said Hillard II have no interest in his
affairs" Had he none? he wondered.
He is coming this way again. Dan"
billiard changed his mind. He push
ed back his hat If the man with the
scar saw him and spoke he would re-
ply. The colonel. glancing at the pair.
halted. He turned and spoke to his
brother officer The man with the
scar stepped over 70 the table and
leaned with his hands upon it. There
was a savage humor in his dark eyes.
Did | not tell you that we should
meet AGAIN. he said to billiard
Are you speaking TO me?" asked
Hnlard Ever muscle in his body
was alert and ready.
Certainly l am speaking TO you.
This is the fellow" speaking TO his
companion. at the same time drawing
off his gloves.
II object 10 the word fellow" said
Hillard. Besides ] don't know you"
"Ah. dIscreetw sneered the man with
the scar
Colonel cried the subaltern as his
senior smoothed the gloves and placed
them carefully in his left hand.
"Oh. | am calm. But ! have been
dreaming of this moment Nowp' The
colonel readdressed Hillard. You
meddIed with an affair that night IN
which you had no concern"
Are you quite sure?"
"Yes. | am sure. And yet as I think
It over. as | recolect the woman"
went on the colonel with a smile
which was evil and insinuating. "In |
Monte Carlo | was practically alone. |
Here It is Florence. Doubtless you |
will understand" He struck out with
the gloves.
But they never touched Hillard's
face His hand caught the assailant's
wrist and With quick jerk brought
him halfway across the table. The
Italian cried family. HilIard spoke
tensely:
Listen carefully. signor. ! under
stand perfectly. but shall fight no
luel. 1t Is an obsolete fashion. A
| know you to be. If you
ever address me again | promise to
give you whipping which will have
/ lasting effect upon your future ac-
ions. If that will not serve | shall h
appeal to the police
Through the crowd the ever present
arabiuieri shouldered their way. The
colonel motioued them to stand back,
which they did with sign of respect
This sign gave Hillard some food for
bought. His antagonist was evident
' a parsonage of some importance.
Figure of an American pigp'
Hillard laughed.
The scar was livid on the Italians
heck. His companion laid restrain
ng hand on his arm. He nodded. and
he two made off Merrihew was for
.oing back to the hotel. Hillard
greed.
Il wanted you TO give him good
tiff punch" said Merrihew.
I'VE should have slept in the lookup
if | had. If our friend Is
eft handed he'll be Inconvenience for
day or two | put some force into
hat grip. You see, Dan, the Italian
till fights his duels. II would have
,een a fine joke if ] had been fool
nough TO accept his challenge He
would have put daylight through me
t the first stroke"
Did you notice how respectful the
were?"
1T set me thinking