The Irish standard., 1909-05-01
CHAPTER XVI.
An Odd AFFAIR at Red Gate,

'He HitIu6 btIdlHS OF a waltz nOAted
from the casino. and caught
glimpse OF the lakes cincture OF lights.
My head was none too clear from It's
crack on the cabin floor. and my chest
was growing sore aud stiff from the
slash Of the Italians knife; but my
spirits were high. and my ears rang
with memories Of the Voice. Helen
had given me commission, and every
fact Of my life faded into insignifcame
compared to this. The cool night air
rushing by refreshed me. was eager
for the next turn Of the wheel, and
my curiosity ran on to the boat.ma.
ker's house.
came now to lonely sweep. where
the road ran through heavy wood.
land, and the cool. moist air Of the
forest rose round me. The lake, I
knew, lay close at hand, and the Hart
ridge cottage was not, as I reckoned
my distances. very far ahead. had
drawn in my horse to consider the
manner Of my approach to the boat
makers, and was jogging along at an
easy trot when a rifle-shot rang out on
my left. from the direction Of the
crock, and my horse SHE'D sharply
and plunged on at a wild gallop. He
could check him. and then l turned
and rode slowly back. peerinE into the
forests black shadow for the foe.
paused and waited. with tho horse
dancing crazily beneath me, but the
woodland presented an inscr,ltable
front. I then rode on to the unfenced
strip Of wood where I had left my
horse before.
began this narrative with every
intention OF telling the whole truth
touching my adventures at Annandale.
and l cannot deny that the shot from
tho wood had again shaken my faith
In Helen Holbrook. She had sent me
to the Tippecanoe on an errand of her
own choosing, and had been fired on
from ambush near the place to which
she had sent me. fear that my tower
Of faith that had grown SO tall and
strong shook on Its foundations; but
once more | dismissed my doubts. just
as had dismissed other doubts and
miegivings about her. My feeting
glimpse Of her in the window Of St.
Atathas less than an hour before
flshed back upon me, and the tower
touched the stars, steadfast and sc.
rene again.
strobe on toward Red Gate with
my revolver in the side pocket OF my
N10rfnllf focGnt h,,o A1Io1
with young folk from the summer COL
oay passed me. and then the utter al
lence Of the country held the world.
In a moment had reached the canoe
makers cottage and entered the gate.
went at once to the front door and
knocked. repeated my knock several
times. but there was no answer. Tho
front window blinds were closed tight.
The honseboat was effectually
screened by shubbery. and I had de-
seconded half a dozen steps before
saw a light in the windows. It oc-
Cured to me that az had undoubt ed
ly been sent to Red Gate for some pur-
pose. should do we'll not to defeat It,
by any clnmsiness Of my own; 30
proceeded slowly. psnsinE several
times to observe the lights below. T
heard the Tippecanoe slipping by with
the snbdued murmur of water at
night; and then a lantern flashed on
deck and | heard voices. Some one
was landing from a boat in the creek
This seemed amiable enough. az tho
lantern-bearer helped man In the
boat to Chamber to the platform. and
from the open door of the shop a
broad shaft of light shone brightly
upon the two men. The man with the
lantern was Holbrook. alias Hartridge,
beyond a doubt; the other was stran-
ger Holbrook caught the painter of
the boat and silently made it. fast.
Now" he said. come in
They crossed the deck and entered
the boat makers shop, and I crept
down where could peer in at an open
portfolio. The men remained at the
farther end Of the house--it was. I
should say, about 100 feet long
which. without formal division, was
fitted as sitting room, with piano
in one corner, and long settle
against the wall. In the center was
table Uttered with books and peri
odicals; and a woman's sewing basket.
interviewer with bright ribbons, gave
domestic touch TO the place. On the
inner wall hung pair Of foils and
masks. Pictures from illustrated jour-
mails -- striking heads or outdoor
scenes-were pinned here and there.
The newcomer stared about. twirling
Tweed cap nervously in his hands,
while Holbrook carefully extinguished
the lantern and put It aside. His Wis
itor was about 50. taller than he, and
swarthy. with grayish mustache. and
hair white at the temples. His eyes
we're large and dark, but even with the
length Of the room between lis !
marked their restlessness; and now
that he spoke H. was in succession
OF quick PUSHES Of words that were
difficult to follow.
Holbrook pushed chair toward the
stranger and they faced each. other for
a moment. then with a shrug Of his
-