Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1909-02-18
CHAPTER v.

keep the dogs with me all night; and
when he was gone, / took a good long
draught of ale, "just to shame the
1evil," as Pierpont said, and lighted
a cigar. Then thought of Barris and
Pierpont, and their cold bed, for l
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 a 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 I sat listlessly eyeing my coffee cup
which Hewlett was filling, Gamin and
Mioche set up a howl, and in n mo-
ment more | heard Barris step on the
porch.
Hello, Roy" said Pierpont, stamp
ing into the dining-room, 81 want my
breakfast, by jingo 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 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-I believe he wants some of
his men-down! Gamin, you idiot!
Hewlett, three eggs poached and more
toast-what was l 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" l said, in pleased
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 a
frightful odori"
It's probably this" said Barris,
tossing something onto the hearth,
where it shuddered for moment and
then began to writhe; 81 found it in
the woods by the lake. Do you know
what it can be, Roy?"
To my disgust I saw 1t was another
OF those spidery, wormy, crablike
creatures that Godfrey had in Tiff
fany's.
Il thought | recognized that acrid
odor" | said; "for the love of the
saints, take it away from the break
fast" l replied, firmly. "Howlett, get
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 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
/ mean these gold-makers. l shall
collar one of them this evening.
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 great help, real
~, and what do you think, Roy?
he wants to join the secret seryice!"
Little Willy"
Exactly. Oh, I'll dissuade him.
What sort of a reptile was that |
brought in? Did Rowlett sweep 1t
away?"
He can sweep it back again for all
| care" l said indifferently. 1--WE
finished my breakfast"
NO" said Barris, hastily, swallow
ing his coffee, its of no importance;
SoE can tell me about the beast"