The Irish standard., 1911-01-21
Copyright. 1903. by the AinsIee Magazine
Company

that he would have been considerably
more comfortable had he remained
here. The night air doesn't appear
overhealthful."
"Yo' mean, Marse Gene, dat de house
am surrounded VIII men," quavered
Group, seeking to peer over the others
shoulder.
$50 1 should imagine" agreed Kirby
cts time our interesting friends on
horseback should be here. Aren't they
drawing rein out there?"
ooh, Lawd! Oh, Lawdw gasped
Group, abandoning himself to despair.
"Dey's gwine to have yo' life, Marse
Gene
"S-h-hv' warned Kirby. "Here come
the ladies. No more agony. if you
please. l assure you your sympathies
are entirely wasted. The good die
young, you know" And he turned,
with a pleasant smile, as Nine. Da-
vezac and Miss Pleydell entered.
Both appeared thoroughly frighten-
ed, although endeavoring to cloak it
under mask of we'll bred composure,
and Kirby, purposely ignoring their
condition, launched himself upon
soothing current Of small talk which
was remarkable for its lack of rele-
vance.
"Just discoursins with Group on the
beauties of the night" he prevaricated
cheerfully. "YOu see, / have been
quite deserted. My secretary, feeling
the heat, stepped into the garden for
a breath of air, while Miss Randall
evidently had duties elsewhere. Shall
we continue our game? Or perhaps
Miss Adele will sing for us again."
I'll am little frightened, Colonel
Moreau," interrupted Nine. Davezac,
her emotion mastering all repressive
measures, while she glanced apprehen-
sively at the window. There are
strange shadows moving in the garden.
We saw them from the parlor."
"Ah, undoubtedly my secretary" re-
piled Kirby, "a most active being for
one Of his excessive displacement. I
assure you he is entirely capable of
creating more than one legitimate
shadow
1T was more than one man." inter
rupted Ann Pleydell in a frightened
voice of conviction. please do not
Jest with us, Colonel Moreau. We are
convinced that some men are watch
ing this house both front and rear"
"In that case," said Kirby, instantly
serious, II beg Of you, ladies, to retire
to your rooms and permit me to in
vestigate this matter. There is no
cause for alarm
A shrill, frightened scream cut him
came flying into the room, moaning
and wringing her hands.
"Oh-h-hw she cried, shrinking away
from the window. "Men all round de
house. Dey have gun muskets. Dey
hide In de bush. Oh-h-h!'
Instfnctively Kirby placed hand
in his breast pocket and STROBE toward
the balcony. AS he gained the window
hand suddenly pulled him back, and
he turned to confront Adele.
you think they have tracked you,"
she whispered. biting the CULVER from
her lips. "They shan't take you! They
shan'tw passionately, vehemently.
''Stand back from the window" he
commanded quietly, throwing an arm
before her. Ladies'" he added, turn
ing to the others, who, with Poulette,
had defensively bulwarked themselves
behind the card table, there is no
cause for alarm. 1t is possibly only
posse Of our neighbors hunting run
away niger"
Quite so, SIR" agreed drawing
voice. And, turning, Kirby discerned
Judge Pleydell standing in the door,
way, complacently and resolutely
blocking the one avenue of escape.
Kirby felt quite assured that at last
some one of his late friends had dis
covered the true identity of Colonel
Moreau."
IL have found out who these tres
passers are" continued the Judge, sig
nificantly eying the masquerader, land,
ladies'. it is my earnest request that
you retire to your rooms"
ReC1fe! IurlOuSiy stOfmeQ Auele,
her eyes swapping. II tell you I'll
have them whipped off the placer
"You can't do it; he's right" cut in
Kirby, nodding toward the judge.
A heavy step in full retreat now
sounded on the balcony, and as Nine.
Davezac gave birth to a frightened
little scream Larkin Bunce, looking
considerably overheated and embar-
rassed pushed through the window
and beamed rather foolishly upon the
assembled company.
You changed your mind about TAX
ing that stroll, did you. Larkin?"
greeted Kirby pleasantly.
well, didn't stroll fur" acknowl-
edged the other, fastening an innocent
eye upon the ceiling. '"There was
some men out there. strangers to me
SO fur. Yet they kind O. seemed to
show some interest in ME when l ran
into 'em Told me il wasn't healthy to