Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-07-23
CHApTFR VI

GN1ESPITE his fifty odd years.
Colonel Moreau set out for
E77Tz5@i his destination at so vigorous
80 a pace that Tom Randall who
confidently expected 20 dog the others
steps. was diSagreeably disappointed.
for by the time he had gained the first
corner around which the estimable de
FENDER OF the family had disappeared
the latter was nowhere in sight Fa
miliar with the city and its enyirons
the boy possessed knO wledge OF sew.
eral time saving short cuts 70 the
dueling oaks, but this on the present
occasion he considered useless. for. ig-
norant OF the exact spot where the
combatants were 10 meet. there exist.
ed no alternative but TO press on in the
wake OF Moreau, who he had every
reason 10 believe had taken the famil.
lar and direct route. Thoroughly i'm
bued with the desire and expectation
or witnessing Kirbys death and thus
In measure glutting his vengeance.
young Randall broke into q run. conf.
dent that on turning each successive
corner he would come IN sight Of the
serene and indomitable colonel. But
time and distance Gew 10y until az
length the tall trees bordering the
grove broke upon his vision. and as vet
his quarry had not been run 10 earth.
Momentarily perplexed and mysti.
fed. the boy turned and scanned the
way by which he had come. Could he
have in some cryptic manner passed
the other on the road. or. contrary 10
all expectation. had Moreau taken the
short cut. and was he even now in the
grove face 10 face with Cameo Kirby
For immediate and conclusive answer
two pistol shots ratified out, shattering
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 furiouSiy 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 LarLin
Bunce had been at pains 10 explain.
No time could be wasted. for Kirby
was already there, and 10 keep an ad-
versary waiting smacked not only OF
cowardice. but was a direct breach of
the code regulating such affairs of
honor. Il was characteristic OF Mo
reau that If left 10 himself he would
sereneiy outrage all codes by shooting
man In the back. but that when OIL
cially entered for a combat-such as
on the present occasion-he punctil.
iously observed both the spirit and the
letter
Kirby living meant a serious men
ace; Kirby dead meant security and a
tighter grip on the spoils OF the river.
reoccupation OF the premier position
from which be 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 10 the code OF their
profession-carrying no tales TO the
Randalls, but instead. IL he considered
MT lighting out the issue with the
slayer OF his partner IL 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 the
giant trees through which fugitive
sunbeams fiickered. shooting their
small golden arrows OF light into the