Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1911-05-19

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der the table.
"Does the roof of this house touch
the roof of the house next door?" pur-
sued the gambler. with reassuring
smile.
"No." said the child. round eyed.
"Are there people upstairsy'
"Yes. there are"
Kirby considered, no hint Of his d.
lemma In voice or bearing. He felt
that he could rely upon this child. who,
with all the composure Of self pos
sessed adult, evinced no alarm or
amazement at the sight Of an over
heated and disarranged young man en-
tering q strange house via the win.
dow.
Docs that lead to the street," he
asked, pointing to door on his right.
The General nodded lie was breath
less and terrified with joy. Are you
somebody making a hairbreadth es-
cape?" he stated rather than asked.
II hope So" admitted Kirby. with a
smile. do you want to be somebody
helping me to do itT
"Yes, of course. What do do?"
go out on the balcony" Kirby
gravely explained. "and look as If
nothing was the matter. Lean your
elbow on the railing and tell me what
you see." He drew aside the curtain
as the child. with flushed cheeks and
shining eyes. obeyed.
"There are men up on that corner"
announced the General ut length.
"Dont point" warned the man In
the room. "How many menu"
Five. Two Of them all got guns"
"All right. Don't turn your head
when you speak to me-
."There's more men hunting through
the garden across the street." piped up
the boy, wallowing In the satisfying
knowledge that at last. by some mirac
ulous Intervention of beneficent prov.
idence, he had become an indispen.
sable character In a very real adven-
ture which promised to eclipse the
most thrilling hairbreadth escape he
had ever read.
''Are any Of the men looking up
here?" whispered Kirby. "No? Come
in. then-quick| The boy obeying. he
cautiously closed one part Of the win
dow. but refrained from drawing the
curtain.
Il think" impressiveiy announced
the General, approving Of these pre-
liminary maneuvers, that this is bet
ter than where the good princes trusty
friend cuts his bonds. Which one are
you?"
(Which what am II" asked Kirby.
with Il perplexed smile.
II mean are you the good prince or
the bad prince?'
'Oh. l see. Well, I'll try to be the
good prince for few minutes If you'll
help me to get away. Suppose you find
me hat, eh?"
The General. with that lively disre-
gard for anothers property which
every loyal servitor Of unfortunate
princes must possess. Instantly seized
Nj. Veaudry's hat. which was reposing
on an adjacent chair.
'Thank you," said Kirby gravely.
covertly examining the pistol in his
breast pocket. 'This door leads to the
street. you say? And there are five
men on the corner, two with guns?'
Eyes. What do we do now?" briskly
asked the boy.
The other gravely offered his hand
"Why, now" he said gently, I'VE
shake hands. and say thank you.
And next we say goOdby."
"All right. Wait till get my hat"
But we just said goodby." remon-
stratel Kirby.
Eyes. but I'm going with you. You
don't know what minute you may need
a trusty friend. Besides, 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 you?"
General"
"Well. General. I've only known you
about two minutes. but I'D hate to 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 to follow me into the street
So put 1t to you this way: II you
really want to be my trusty friend
just shake hands with me again and
say goodby."
will you promise l can be your
trusty friendy said the boy earnestly
"NO matter whether you turn out to
be the good prince or the bad prince.
Ill always be your trusty friend-al-
ways"
Always" pledged Kirby, with the
utmost sincerity.
''Then shake hands," said the Gen
eral.
They did so gravely. Thank you.
General" said Kirby. 30
He turned sharply ut the sound Of
a softly closing door. A girl had en-
tered the room. u girl whose clear
pallor was accumulated by the deep
black of dress aud 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 she
said impulsively. little catch in her
voice:
80 it is the General who has had
the honor Of receiving you. after all.
am so glad you have again changed
your plans. Now you can so in the
carriage with us
"Rut Won don't understand. Adele"
cried her brother. while Kirby looked
his establishment. His enemies are
after him, and he had to make hair