Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-07-30

us NAti aStti iNtlN Nil asst D't ~
afraid"
lin not afraid breathed the
General, creeping cautiously from un-
der the table.
Does the roof OF this house touch
the roof OF the house next door, pur-
sued the gambler with a reasSuring
smile
"N0." said the child, round eyed.
"Are there people UpstairsT'
"Yes. there are"
Kirby considered, no hint OF hfs di-
lemma i'm voice or bearing. He felt
that ne could rely upon this child. who
with all the composure OF a self pos
sesscd adult evinced no alarm CT
FmazemCnt at the sight Of an over.
heated and disarrangcd young man en-
tering a strange house via The win.
dow.
Does that lead 20 tha.strA,t hc
asked. pointing 20 door ON L,s right
The General nodded He was breath
less and terrified with joy. Are you
somebody making a hairbreadth es-
capet' be stated rather than asked
Il hope So" admitted Kirby. With q
smile do YOU want TO be somebody
helping me Co do itr"
Yes, Of course. What do I dot"
eco out ON the balcony" Kirby
graveiy explained. "aud look as II
nothing was the matter. Lean your
elbow on The railing and tell mo what
You see" lie drew aside the curtain
as the child. with flushed checks and
shining eyes. obeycd.
There are men mp on that corner"
announced the General at length
Don't point" warned the man in
the room. How many mene"
Five. Two OF them an got guns"
"An right Don't turn your head
when you speak to me"
There's more men hunting through
the garden across the street" pipcd uD
tho boy. wauowinc in the satisfying
knowledge that at last. by some mirac-
ulous Intervention OF a bcncfcent prov.
idcnce, he had become au iudispcn-
sable character iu q very real adven.
ture which promised Co eclipse tho
most thrilling hairbreadth escape hc
had ever read.
Are any 81 the mon looking up
here =" whispered Kirby. "Noe Come
in. thcn-quick" The boy obcyinc. hc
cautiously closed one part of the win
dow. bIt RETAINED from drawing the
curtain
Il thiuk." imprcssiyciy announced
the General. approving OF these pre-
ilminary mancuvers. "hat this is bet
ter than whore the good princes trusty
friend cuts lis bonds. Which one are
yout'
(which what ann IT' asked Kirby.
with q perulcxcd smile
81 mean are you The good prince or
the bad priuccF'
"Oh. ! soe Wen. iu try 90 Doe The
good prince Tor "a few minutes 10 youu
help me 20 get away. suppose you lud
me a hat. chg"
The General with that lively disre-
gard Tor auothcr's property which
every loyal servitor Of unfortunate
princes must possess. instantly seized
NJ. Neaudry's hat which was reposiug
on an adjacent chair.
Thank YOU" said Kirby cravely.
covertly examining the pistol In his
breast pocket This door leads 20 the
street. YOU say? And there are Eve
men on the corner. two with gnnsT''
Yes, What do we do nows" briskIy
asked the boy
The other gravely offered his hand.
"Why, now" he said gently. 1--WE
shake hands. and I saS thank YOU
And next we say goodby~
"An right. Wait till get my hat"
but we just said goodby." remon-
strated Kirby.
yes. but I'm going with you. You
don't know what minute YOU may need
a trUsty friend. Resides. I've got TO
see what happens next"
That's just what you mustn't" re-
piled Kirby, shaking his head. Don't
you look out OF that window when
I've gone. and don't you come near
the door What do they call your
General"
well. General I've only known you
about two minutes. but Id hate 10 get
you into any trouble. Now. we both
would be in trouble if anybody came
in here, SO I've got TO get out pretty
quick. and Wen be in worse trouble
II you try 20 follow me into the street.
SO l put il TO you this way: II you
really want 10 be my trusty friend
just shake hands with me again and
say goodby."
'Will you promise l can be your
trusty friend|' said the boy earnestly.
''No matter whether you turn out 10
be the good prince or the bad prince
I'll always be your rusty friend-al-
ways"
Always" pledged Kirby, with the
utmost sincerity.
Then shake hands" said the Gen.
eral.
They did so graveIy. Thank you
| General" said Kirby. 'I'-
He turned sharply at the sound OF
a softly closing door. A girl had en-
tered the room. a girl whose clear
, pallor was accentuated by the deeE
Z black OF dress and hair. She had over
heard the boys last words. had esti
mated the tableau. and now as Kirby's
| eyes met her own the warm blood
| crept into throat and cheek, and sh,
said impulsively. a little catch IN hel