The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1910-07-21
CHAPTER x.


~ IUE In a great measure to Kir-
I'LL by's and Adele's high spirits.
z.l which infected all but three
49, 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 be was assisting 70 entertain
one who by championing the cause OF
the Randalls, while at the same time
Kidding the community OF the notori-
GUS Cameo Kirby. had earned his last
ing esteem and gratitude. told his best
stories in his happiest vein. and Nine.
Davezac, together with Ann Pleydell.
suffering under the same deiusion. 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
CARSAtChtG AOk tOUN6 Vi
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 20 confde Il 10 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 holor shown
him and thoroughly cognizant what
must be the inevitable and tragic end
ing OF bis partners reckless action
is sufficient Testimony 10 the fact that
the preoccupied manner OF NJ. veau.
dry. coupled with Mr.. Randalrs grave
silence and studied courtesy toward
Kirby. bad no effect upon the spirits
OF the company. II. indeed. Their de
meanor was even noted by the mn.
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 impersonatlng the gentle
nan in whose honor the dinner had
been planned But Aaron alone bad
found a sinister significance IN the
Generals observation 20 the effect that
Kirby wore quantity Of canoes. and.
although he lacked authentic evidence
upon which TO erect his suspicious.
while likewise granting that II WIS an
amazing and unbelievable action for
one to deliberately walk into the house
OF bis enemies. he vaguely sensed that
the pseudo Colonel Moreau was none
other than the notorious Eugene Kir.
by.
stiil. Aaron Randall was strictly
Just and upright man. who was fully
aware OF the many crimes committed
In the name OF circumsfantinl evil
dence. Slow to pronounce Judgment.
be was quick 20 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 completely II not
actual initiative in the same. In the
absence Of Tom Randall she was alb
solute mistress. with the right TO act
~ she deemed az, and had. moreover,
exacted his word Of honor that be
would trust her until the arrival Of
her brother. Even had be been salts.
fed with the truth OF his conjectures
regarding Kirby's Identity this prom.
ise 20 Adele would have pledged
Aaron TO secrecy, and NJ. veaudry, be-
Ing subsequently acquainted with the
compact. likewise agreed that IL could
not be violated.
For the young creole this passive
role was extremely difficult, and Il
va Nfeftrnt PttVl VI us bplI COfus
msnd 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. REFRESHING
all promptings Of jealousy. refralned
from dcnouncing Kirby n an Impos
toe. The successful suit Of nm honora.
BILE rival would have been S,ncrli
enough to recognize. but this en,roach.
ment Of a stranger who NJ ~. best
was niasauerader n not character
moro sinister and disreputablc was In.
toIerabIe. for NJ. veaudry had gath.
cred from Str. Randalrs manner that
he suspected their guest Of being
guilty Of something more crimlnas
than assuming q name 60 which he
had no right.
Thus. even while the young creole
and Aaron prayed that Tom Randall's
arrival would be fastened and colncI.
dent with II free vent could be given
to their suspicious, Larkin Bunce ear.
nestly hoped 20 the contrary-hoped
that Kirby would suddenly realize bis