Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-08-20


| Adele. who had been inexplicably de
iayed at the hast ninute-delayed by
Bunce, who was putting forth every
persuasive EFFORT. pleading. coaxiDg.
threatening all Ia one breath. In des-
/ perate attempt 20 bring her back TO
the drawing room. TO make her grant
a farewell interview TO his partner.
/ At length. In the midst OF his brood
ings, sound from the window at
tracted his attention. and. hstlessly
turning. he diseerned young Randall,
old Pleydeil. Aaron and VI. Veaudry,
all scrutinszinx him intentiy with
look there was no miSlnterpreting.
They considered the ladies safely away.
and the time had now come when
| judicial murder might DC perpetrateG.
Before a word bad been exchanged
Kirby fathomed their purpose. but no
hint OF cognizance was evinced in his
manner. he arose leisurely and with
the courtesy Of guest to host rather
than with any intention OF self de
Tense, alarm or even interest And
for a space and in silence the four
men surveyed the one. Then young
Randall spoke ominously and. for him,
with admirable restraint.
Its pretty dark outside. MT. Kirby
too dark 10 shoot straight Shall we
settle il here? We are going TO give
/ you chance. and you'd better get
/ yourself ready 90 take IL BANKED quick
unless you prefer TO be shot like a
rat"
II you leave il 10 me-" said Kirby
mildly. Il prefer not 20 be shot at
/ all"
! do sou realize that in giving you
fair show we do common gambler
an honorT' returned the boy strug-
/ Cling hard against his passion He re-
sented Kirby's serene compOsure for
| against it he was placed at a humiliat-
ing disadvantage.
II am deeply sensible OF your kind
ness TO one Of my profession" observed
the common gambler" bowling with
| courteous formality. "You seem TO be
making quite elaborate preparations.
gentlemen, but ! think you're putting
| yourselves to unnecessary trouble. Mr.
| Randall, you and your sister
] Don't you dare mention the name
Of any lady Of my family menaced
l Tom.
| But that Is necessary. sir" suavely
murmured the other. because YOU and
your sister. Miss Adele Randall
"You wolfr' snarled the boy. and be
struck with all his strength.
The alert and pacific NJ. veaudry
caught the descending arm. and before
the outraged and now thoroughly in
censed boys furious az Kirby's dellb.
crate repetition OF Miss RandalTs
name. could wrest himself free and
renew the attack Adele herself had
entered the room. followed by the sue
cessful Bunce. Her presence instant
| " prohibited further hostilities, and
young Randall sullenly turned away.
raging against her delayed departure
and unexpected intrusion. The self
satisfied and beaming glance cast upon
him by the portly veteran Bunce did
not improve his temper. although in
a measure Il afforded an explanation
OF Adele's presence.
4 have yielded 20 this gentleman's
request" sad the girl stonlly, waving
an ironic and contemptuoUs hand to-
ward Bunce. while her eyes looked &C.
/ curately through the top or Kirby's
head. Il grant your interview. What
is 1t you wish 70 say? Kindly be as
| explicit and terse as possible"
He handed her the slip OF paper
which before this he had sought 20
! Offer.
| Il fear your brother may be too ex-
cited 90 read it." he said indinerently.
She eyed II wonderingly. scanning
It twice over and yet again before di-
| costing its brief contents. In silence
she handed II 10 her brother. and he.
after a long. incredulous stare. ex-
| claimed
| He gives IL back 70 buy his safety"
Read the date" commanded Kirby.
addressing the girl.
IL the same mechanical manner she
obeyed. spelling it out as II Il we're
written In some strange language with
which she was but vaguely familiar.
He wrote that the first day the doc
tors let him set up 20 a table after
Jack Moreau shot him." sharply ex-
planned Bunce, angered at the recep-
ton accorded what he considered a
sublime act OF generosity. forbearance
and asininity.
Slowly Adele raised her eyes from
the paper and looked steadily at the
common gambler" This was ia re-
mOrse-for my father?' she whispered
mo" 1t was said quite simply and
emOtionlessly. as il the question we're
too absurd TO seriously consider He
would have employed the same tone In
refuting the statement that he was a
ChInaman.
That doesn't agree very well with
I Colonel MOreau's story" sneered young
Randall. loath TO credit such an enemy
with one worthy motive.
You bet your bottom dollar 1t don't"
( agreed Bunce
THAT will do. Larkin.' said Kirby
sharply. There's nothing more 20 be
said. We're through here"
Despite Adeles earnest request TO
remain and the plea that she had the
right to know the meaning OF this
strange contradiction or evidence. he
resolutely turned TO leave the room. his