The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-06-18
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 zHz which infected all but three
 z members of the company, the dinner in honor of Colonel Moreau was an entire success and, in fact, could not have been surpassed had that unfortunate gentleman himself been present. Judge Pleydell, believ- ing that he was assisting to entertain one who by championing the cause of the Randalls, while at the same time ous Cameo Kirby, had earned his last ing esteem and gratitude, told his best stories in his happiest vein, and Mime. Davezac, together with Ann Pleydell, suffering under the same delusion, put forth every effort to charm, even going to the length of heartily applauding the judges most venerable and moth ravaged yarns.
 No mean raconteur himself, Kirby ransacked his vast store of personal experience for interesting topics of conversation that would bear rehearsal in the present company, and even Bunce, finally and unwillingly drawn by some mysterious spell into the vor- tex of small talk, carefully selected, as befitted a secretary" the least in- nocuous of his many escapades and ventured to confide it to the demure ear of his dinner partner, Miss Pley dell. This heroic action of the old river gambler-for he was desperate ly embarrassed at the honor shown him and thoroughly cognizant what must be the inevitable and tragic end ing of his partners reckless action is sufficient testimony to the fact that the preoccupied manner of NJ. Veau- dry, coupled with MT. RandalPs grave silence and studied courtesy toward Kirby, had no effect upon the spirits of the company, if, indeed, their de meanor was even noted by the ma jority.
 Before entering the house the two gentlemen in question had come to an understanding regarding the status of their guest, concurring in the opinion that he was impersonating the gentle nan in whose honor the dinner had been planned. But Aaron alone had found a sinister significance in the Generals observation to the effect that Kirby wore quantity of cameos, and, although he lacked authentic evidence upon which to erect his suspicious, while likewise granting that it was an amazing and unbelievable action for one to deliberately walk into the house of his enemies, he vaguely sensed that the pseudo Colonel Moreau was none other than the notorious Eugene Kfr- by.
 Still, Aaron Randall was a strictly just and upright man, who was fully aware of the many crimes committed in the name of circumstantial evi- dence. Slow to pronounce judgment, he was quick to act when once assur- ed that in no sense would justice be violated. Moreover, Adele, in whose integrity and force of character he had the firmest belief and for whom he had the highest regard and proof of whose acumen he had had ample testimony, vouched for the imposture and even confessed complicity if not actual initiative in the same. In the absence of Tom Randall she was ab- solute mistress, with the right to act as she deemed fit, and had, moreover, exacted his word of honor that he would trust her until the arrival of her brother. Even had he been satis- fled with the truth of his conjectures regarding Kirby's identity this prom ise to Adele would have pledged Aaron to secrecy, and M. Veaudry, be ing subsequently acquainted with the compact, likewise agreed that it could not be violated.
 For the young creole this passive role was extremely difficult, and it was eloquent proof of his self com mand and personal integrity, coupled with those refined instincts bestowed by gentle birth and breeding, that he considered Aaron's promise equally binding upon himself and, repressing all promptings of jealousy, refrained from denouncing Kirby as an impos- tor. The successful suit of an honora- ble rival would have been difficult enough to recognize, but this encroach-
 
 was masquerader if not a; character more sinister and disreputable was in tolerable, for NJ. Veaudry had gath cred from MT. RandalFs manner that he suspected their guest of being guilty of something more criminal than assuming a name to which he had no right.
 Thus, even while the young creole and Aaron prayed that Tom Randalls arrival would be hastened and coinci- dent with it free vent could be given to their suspicious, Larkin Bunce ear nestly hoped to the contrary-hoped that Kirby would suddenly realize his danger, growing the more deadly and certain as every minute passed, and would ride for the river before the coming of Nemesis.
 But evidently nothing was more re mote from that reckless young gentle mans intention, for, unmindfu1 of his partners Increasing uneasiness and that both were t.e object of watchful hostile eyes. he continued to act as if time and opportunity had been created solely for Adele and himself. Dinner finally at an end, he and his young hostess, entirely absorbed in each oth. CTS society, sought the drawing room balcony, while the others, with the ex. ception of Bunce, indulged in a game