The Irish standard., 1911-01-21

crate repetition OF Miss Randall's
name, could wrest himself free and
renew the attack Adele herself had
entered the room, followed by the sue
cessful Bunce. Her presence instant
ly 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
measure it afforded an explanation
of Adelc's presence.
request" said the girl stonily, waving
m ironic and contemptuous hand to-
ward Bunce, while her eyes looked ac-
curately through the top of Kirby's
head. II grant your interview. What
is it you wish to say? Kindly be as
explicit and tersc as possible
| He handed her the slip Of paper
which before this he had sought to
offer
81 fear your brother may be too ex-
cited to read it." he said ndifferently.
She eyed it wonderingly, scanning
it twice over and yet again before di-
costing its brief contents In silence
she handed it to her brother, and he,
after long, incr9lulous stare, ex-
claimed:
''He gives it back to buy his safety"
''Read the date" commanded Kirby,
addressing the girl.
| In the same mechanical manner she
obeyed, spelling it out as if it were
written in some strange language with
which she WAS but vaguely familiar
He wrote that the first day tho doc
tors let him set up to Il table after
Jack Morcnu shot him. sharply OK
planned Buncc, angcrcd Mt the reccp-
ton accorded what he considered
sublime act of generosity, forbearance
and asininity.
/ Slowly Adele raised her eyes from
the paper and looked steadily at the
common gambler This was in re-
morse-for my fnther" she whispered.
"No." 1t was snid quite simply and
emotionlessly. as If the question were
too absurd to seriously consider He
would have employed the same tone In
refuting the statement that he was q
Chinaman.
THAT doesn't agree very well with
Colonel Moreaus story" sneercd young
Randall, loath to credit such an enemy
with one worthy motive.
You bet your bottom dollar it don't"
agreed Bunce.
THAT will do, Lnrkin,' said Kirby
sharply. There's nothing more to 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 of evidence, he
rcsolutely turned to leave the room. his
partner obediently following.
But once again M. Veaudry, sinking
his own interests In those of justice
stepped forward and detained his
sometime rival.
Make him speak, Tom" he cried.
turning to young Randall. This min
iature Of your mother we found in
Colonel Moreau's portmanteau." And
he handed the other the red morocco
box.
"But-but my father lost 1t to you'll"
exclaimed the bewildcred boy, turning
to Kirby.
mo, not to me, Mr.. Randall" Again
that same patient, emotionless tone, TO-
tally devoid OF resentment or even In
terest.
tiff we've been in the wrong"
| ri x-yI,ic A101A oio{s,
her head proudly, but pleading suppl
cation speaking strongly from her eyes,
"you will set US straight. you VITA be
fair?"
For a long moment Kirby hesitated.
then finally turned to the now eagerly
waiting boy.
"Mr. Randall" he said, with elabo-
rate irony, "the question involved in
my conduct is SO purely professional
that it may be almost impossible to
clear 1t up to the satisfaction of lay
man. Mr.. Bunce, being one of the
brethren, would comprehend me per-
fectly, but shall have to point out
I that in my profession there are sopa-
rate castles, both high and low, each
controlled by its own standards"
"You accuse Colonel Moreau of being
a gambler" said young Randall as
the other paused.
II rcgretfully admit that he had
some claim to the title" replied Kirby,
with intentional elegance Of manner,
"for the group to which the colonel
belonged countenances certain prac-
tees. such as the intoxication Of op-
ponents and the elimination Of chance
in the fall of the cards. and this. we
feel, shows lack Of foresight tending
to bring discredit on the entire profess
sion, which might in time drive its fol-
lowers from their legitimate field of
industry. For that reason, when
discovered the late Colonel Moreau in
private stateroom of the Shotwell
despoiling gentleman who was-who
was not himself, took charge of the