The Irish standard., 1911-01-21


IF YOU will permit me-" said Kirby,
facing the company and raising his
voice, Il will receive Judge Pleydell's
friends on the porch yonder. No,
Bunce," he added sharply as the other
approached, 81 don't want you. It's a
lone hand, partner"
You shan't do it," implorcd Adele.
catching his arm. ooh, don't you see
it would be as If had betrayed you?
Anatole," she broke off sharply, a note
of agonized relief in her voice as the
young creole appeared in the doorway
and gently shouldered his way past
the judgc-"Anatole, you've told me
hundred times you'd die to do me a
service. Now I give you the chance
I want those men driven off my prop.
erty."
M. Veaudry's face whitened and set
as he became the cynosure of Sill eyes,
Kirby's excepted.
''It is service that 1 do you, made
moiselle," he said at length, with quiet
dignity. "Those are my men out there.
I told them to surround the house, and
this gentleman knows what for" bow
ing gravely to Kirby.
''No, he doesn't but 1 do!' cried
Adele, laughing Historically. $50 this
is how you win woman, Anatole?
You will answer to my brother for an
attack on guest Of this house," she
finished, her anger once more master
ing all other emotions.
"Mademoiselle, it is by your broth
er'S orders that l act--and I think it
Is that he is himself here now" replied
NJ. Veaudry.
Even while Adele laughed scornfully
a confused babel of cries was heard
from the garden, supplemented by
hoarse oaths and the sound of running
feet. Another moment and Tom Ran
dali had burst into the room. Covered
with dust and sweat, white, haggard,
half insane With excitement, prey
to the most consuming passion, he was
the epitome Of violence, baked re-
venge and undying hatred as, throw
ing off Adele's restraining arm, he
launched himself straight at Kirby.
Aaron Randall, grave and collected,
upon an adjacent chair the green port
manteau belonging to the late lament
ed Colonel Moreau.
Kirby quietly awaited young Ran
dalls onslaught and, as the maddencd
boy threw himself upon him. pinioned
oil
forced him backward into chair.
Let me go! Get out of the way, you
people" screamed Tom, like an i'll
furiated child, as Adele and Aaron
laid restraining hands upon him.
"We've run you to earth. Mr.. WOLF"
he added, garing at Kirby, while he
strove to release himself, almost sob
bling with impotent fury.
"Wolf, am II" echoed Kirby, step
ping back. "rhen I'll show you some
fangs."
"Tom! Tom" implored Adele.
"Whats the matter? Why do you act
this way? You don't know what you're
doing"
"Don't II" he snarled. writhing from
her grasp and again confronting Kirby.
Its you who are the fool There's
the man we want for tue murder of
Colonel Moreauv'
She started back aghast. staring
from her brother to Kirby and back
again in helpless. doubling, astonisl-
ment, while Judge Pleydell coughed
dryly and his daughter sheltered her.
self behind the ample bulwarks Of
Nine. Davezac, who, now that the
source Of her fears had been identified.
had regained her serene composure
and was staring curiously at Kirby
"It was Colonel Morean he killcd?'
whispered Adele in strangely quiet
and emotionless voice
''Shot down like dog. Moreau was
unarmed," growled young Randall,
with brutal brevity
"Indeedw murmured Kirby, evincing
sudden interest. How do you know?
Because no weapon was found with
the body"
'Who told you that%'
Nobody"
"Then how do you know"
II found Moreau's body, and I am
the chief witness against YOU" snap
ped the boy, splitting out the words
with distilled venom.
Aaron Randall's expression changed,
and with sudden agitation he graspcd
M. Feaudry's arm. TO both men some
idea of the boys despicable action had
occurred.
Kirby waited coolly, surveying his
accuser, while he carefully chose his
next words. $50 you are the man
had to find" he said measuredly, with
sardonic, contemptuous smile. did
you throw that pistol away, or did you
keep it,"
"That's your defense, is it?' cried
Tom, laughing wildly "rll show you
how much water that'll hold. You
want to accuse me Of taking it-ac-
cuse me of taking that poor dead mans
pistol? You'll find that accusation is