The Irish standard., 1910-12-24

Iue oLuCi ou lue iOdu, OI, contrary 10
all expectation, had Moreau taken the
short cut, and was he even now In the
grove face to face with Cameo Kirby?
For immediate and conclusive answer
two pistol shots ratified out, SCATTERING
the cool serenity of the morning
and sending bevy Of frightened rocks
circling and cawing high into the
brooding blue dome of the heavens.
Cursing his ill luck. young Randall
raced furiously toward the distant
grove.
Colonel Moreau, considerably more
familiar with the town than Tom Ran
dali, had indeed availed himself of the
shortest cut possible and one which
would lead him directly to that en-
trance the situation of which Larkin
Bunce had been at pains to explain.
No time could be wasted, for Kirby
was already there, and to keep an ad-
versnry waiting smacked not only OF
cowardice. but was direct breach Of
the code regulating such affairs Of
honor. 1t was characteristic of Mo-
reau that il left to himself he would
serenely outrage all codes by shooting
a man In the back, but that when off,
cially entered for combat-such as
on the present occasion-he punchl-
iously observed both the spirit and the
letter.
Kirby living meant serious men,
ace; Kirby dead meant security and a
tighter grip on the spoils of the river,
u reoccupation of the premier position
from which he had been ousted. Bust
ness interests and his own life clam
ored for Kirby's death. For Bunce,
II he grew troublesome, he would ac-
count, and he could rely on the latter's
remaining true to the code of their
rofession-carrying no tales to the
Randalls, but instead, If he considered
fit, fighting out the issue with the
slayer Of his partner. 1t can thus be
seen that Moreau In his usual opti-
mistic fashion had the future arrang-
ed entirely to his satisfaction.
Meanwhile he had cautiously entered
the shadow of the dueling oaks and.
pistol in hand. was slowly threading
his way down the path. the weapon
cooked and resting across his left fore
arm. Thanked on either side by tho
giant trees through which fugitive
sunbeams flickered. shooting their
small golden arrows of light into the
dense and rank underground. he found
some difficulty in accurately discern
ing distant objects. Although the path
was straight, thus obviating any turn
ing of angles and a consequent sud-
den and unexpected meeting he could
not see Kirby, and for moment the
fears Of an deliberately planned am
buscade arose in his unworthy mind.
Indeed. the setting offered many in
ducements to one who, like himself.
might entertain such a laudable pur.
pose.
These momentary misgivings were.
however, abruptly dispelled. for from
far down the path Kirby's voice sud-
denly broke the silence:
Good morning, colonel! Is that
you? Are you quite ready? Stand by.
for I'm comingv'
Moreau instantly turned until he
| faced the trees on his right. Thus he
presented the smallest possible surface
| to his advancing foe. Although the
| articles Of agreement called for a mu-
| tual and Simultaneous advance, he was
aware that 1t Is easier to fire from q
fixed platform, and he consequent.
deliberately halted, his left shoulder
| thrown forward and the pistol level
| with his eye. He could now discern
Kirby. who. unmindful of all tactical
or strategic advantage, came saunter-
ing toward him, the right hand dan
Cling carelessly at his side. He was
whistling, but had Moreau been nearer
he would have noted the sinister limo
running from nose to mouth and tho
1xity Of purpose in the brooding eyes.
all of which belied the CHEEKY carol.
Morcau, standing like rock which
disputed the others progress. waited
and watched. Once he made a sudden,
violent movement in the hope Of
drawing Kirby's fire. but the latter,
never needing, continued his seeming
~ careless advance. On he came, thir-
| ty PAGES; twenty, and still no sign
from either man; fifteen, and Mo-
reau's hand whitened at the knuc-
kles and his head came slowly down
us he i1npaled the other on the sights
of his pistol. On came Kirby, still
whistling, as If on a pleasure stroll,
the right hand still dangling carelessly
at his side.
The nervous tension was fast grow
ing unbearable. Morcau's nose looked
pinched, and the breath whisled
through it.. On came Ktrhv tan
PAGES, and a sudden throb of dame
leaped from Moreau's pistol, followed
by whirling wreath Of smoke and a
reverberating crash. He reeled from
the heavy charge. At the same mo-
ment kirby's !istless hand swept up,
and without breaking step he fred.
The drifting smoke parted in shreds
and streamed away. The startled
crows had ceased caWing, and or