The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1909-01-29
CHAPTER v.

CHAPTER v.
l sent him off to bed, saying | should
keep the dogs with me all night; and
when he was gone, l took a good long
draught of ale, lust to shame the
devil" as Pierpont said, and lighted
a cigar. Then | 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, l shivered in
sympathy.
'I'll tell Barris and Pierpont the
whole story and take them to see the
carved stone and the fountain" l
thought to myself; what q marvellous
dream it was-Ysonde-if it was a
dream.
Then l went to the mirror and ex-
amined the faint white mark above
my eyebrow.
About eight o'clock next morning,
as sat listlessly cycling my coffee cup
which Hewlett was filling, Gamin and
Mioche set up howl, and in mo-
ment more l heard Barris step on the
porch.
Hello, Roy" said Pierpont, stamp
ing into the dining-room, 81 want my
breakfast, by lingo! Where's Hewlett
none of your cafe au lait for mel
want chop and some eggs. Look at
that dog, he'll wag the hinge off his
tail in a moment"
"Pierpont," said I. "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-I believe he wants some of
his men-down! Gamin, you idiot!
Hewlett, three eggs poached and more
toast-what was 1 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 1t 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 moment and
then began to writhe; II found 1t in
the woods by the lake. Do you know
what it can be, Roy?"
To my disgust saw it was another
Of those spidery, wormy, crablike
creatures that Godfrey had in Tiff
fany's-
81 thought recognized that acrid
odor," l said; for the love Of the
saints, take it away from the break
asst" 1 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-
,ure out and Barris and Pierpont went
m change their dew-soaked clothes for
driver 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.
r. WELL" said I, 'is there a story to
lell?"
eyes. not much. They are near the
AXE on the other side Of the woods
mean these gold-makers. shall
.ollar one of them this evening. l
haven't located the main gang with
,nv certainty-shove the toast rack
his way. will you, Roy-no, am not
A. all certain, but I've nailed one, any
wav. Pierpont was a great help, real
" and. what do you think, Roy?
Ne wants to join the secret service!"
Little Willy!"
.Exactly. oh, I'll dissuade him.
what sort of a reptile was that
oroueht in? Did Rowlett sweep 1t
away?" ~
NE can sweep it back again for all
care" l said indinerently. I've
snIshed my breakfast"
mo" said Barris, hastily swallow
mo his coffee, its Of no Importance;
.on can tell me about the beast