The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-10-19
CHAPTER XII.

m-k sno1y 10 gwine 10 make
Some attemrt 20 es-
eaper' smiled Kirby. "Not any. Group.
For one thing I don't wish to. and for
another l think Il would be wasted ef-
fort. The moon II very unaccommo-
dating" he added cheerfully. peering
out into the darkness. 'but still Il
seems TO me that there are shadows
out there not formed by trees. At
least they appear somewhat agitated.
I shouldn't wonder" he finished I'm the
same pleasant conversational tone. III
Mr.. fg-ce has realized by this time
that he would have been considerably
more comfortable had he remained
here The night air doesn't appear
overhealthful."
~fo' mean. Marse Gene. dat de house
am surrounded VIII men," quavered
Group. seeking to peer over the others
shoulder.
$50 1 should imagine" agreed Kirby.
IT'S time our interesting friends on
horseback should be here. Aren't they
drawing rein out theref'
"Oh. Lawd! Oh. Iawdw gasped
Group. abandoning himself to despair.
"Dey's gwne to have yo' life. Marse
Gene
th-hg' warned Kirby. Here come
the ladies'. No more agony. II you
please. | assure you your sympathies
are entirely wasted. The good die
young. you know" And he turned,
with pleasant smile. as Mime. Da-
yezac and Miss Pleydell entered.
Both appeared thoroughly frighten-
ed. although endeavoring to cloak IL
under a mask Of well bred composure,
and Kirby. purposely ignoring their
condition. launched himself upon a
soothing current Of small talk which
was remarkable for Its lack Of rele-
vance.
-Just dlscoursing with Group on the
beauties OF the night" he prevaricated
cheerfully. "You see, I have been
quite deserted. My secretary, feeling
the heat. stepped into the garden for
q breath of air, while Miss Randall
evidently had duties elsewhere Shall
We continue our game? Or perhaps
Miss Adele will sing for us again"
"I-I am a little frightened, Colonel
Moreau." interrupted Nine. Davezac,
her emotion mastering all repressive
measures, while she glanced apprehen-
sfveiy nj the window. There are
strange shadows moving In the garden.
We saw them from the parlor."
"Ah, undoubtedly my secretary" re-
Piled Kirby. "a most active being for
one OF his excessive displacement.
assure you he IL entirely capable Of
creating more than one legitimate
shadow"
''It was more than one man." inter
rupted Ann Pieydell In a frightened
voice OF conviction. please do not
test with US. Colonel Moreau. We are
convinced that some men are watch
fng this house both front and rear"
"fn that case" said Kirby. instantly
serious. II beg OF you. ladies'. TO retire
90 your rooms and permit me TO In
vesugate this matter. There Is no
cause for alarm
A shrill. frightened scream cut him
short. and the next moment Poulette
came flying into the room. moaning
and wringlng her hands.
"Oh-h-hr' she cried. shrinking away
from the window. Men all round de
house. Dey have gun muskets. Dey
hide In de bush. Oh-h.hr'
Instinctively Kirby placed hand
I'm his breast pocket aud ctrode toward
the balcony. As he gained the window
q hand suddenly pulled him back. and
he turned TO confront Adele.
you think they have tracked you,"
she whispered. biting the culver from
her HIPS. They shant take you. They
shan'tl' passionately. vehemently.
-Stand back from the window" he
commanded quietly. throwing an arm
before her. Ladies'" he added, turn
ing TO the others. who, with Poulette.
had defensively bulwarked themselves
behind the card table, there Is no
cause for alarm. IL is possibly only a
posse OF our neighbors hunting a run
away niger"
quite so, sir" agreed a drawing
voice. And. turning. Kirby discerned
Judge Pleydell standing In the door
way. complacently and resolutely
psocking the one avenue or escape.
Kirby felt quite assured that at last
some one Of his late friends had dis
covered the true identity OF Colonel
Moreau."
II have found out who these tres
passers are" continued the judge. sig
nfncantly -ying the masquerader. land,
ladies'. IL Is my earnest request that
you retire TO your rooms"
"RetireT' furiously stormed Adele,
her eyes swapping. IL tell you IN
have them whipped or the placer
you can't do it: he's right" cut In
Kirby. nodding toward the Judge.
heavy step In full retreat now
sounded On the balcony. and as Nine
Davezac gave birth to frightened
little scream I.arkln Bunce. looking
considerably Oyerheated and emhor