The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1912-05-18

to make break for freedom. There
was a slight glitter in Peters gray
eyes, as he raped sharply with hil
heel on the door.
Il hardly think that would be advis
able, sir" he warned softly 1.-THE man
outside is armed, and in the excite
ment might hurt you"
There was q click Of the lock, and
the heavy door swung open. stood
motionless, tempted to spring, yet not
daring the venture. Peter backed
majesttcally out, and caught q
glimpse Of the graybeard, and the
black outline Of pistol. Then the
door closed, leaving me- alone. The
little scrap of candle left sputtered
feebly, and, after walking across the
floor half-dozen times, striving ia
gain control Of my temper, I blew II
out, and crawled into the bunk. There
was nothing l could do, but wait for
morning: not sound reached ml
from without, and, before l realized
the possibility. l was fast asleep.
l must have slept long and soundly,
for when finally awoke CLEAN Of
sun lay the full length Of the room,
and food was upon the table. Some
one-Peter. no doubt-had entered
and departed without arousing me-
Sleep had left me in a pleasantel
frame of mind, and l ate heartily
wondering vaguely what the day would
disclose. determined one thing, that
when Peter returned for the dishes,
would back him into corner and
choke at least a portion Of the truth
out Of his unwilling throat. had
hardly reached this decision when the
door opened, and he stood there gag
ing at ME with sphinxlike stupidity
l arose to my feet. gripping the bach
OF chair, but the utter vacancy IN
that face seemed to numb action.
There was no positive expression, no
dim glimmer of interest in his fea,
lures; the shining bald head alone
gave him grotesque appearance. re-
straining me from violence could
MS easily have warred with baby.
II trust. sir. you slept WE'LL" he said
soothingly, land that the service /,
satisfactory"
I choked hack my Indignation, thu
quiet Difference Of his manner causini
me to feel like a brute.
Nothing could he added to my han
piness," | answered., unless It Nigh,
he little information which you seen
disinclined to furnish"
He waved one hand. as though
brushing calmly aside some imagined
insect
"Disinclined? Oh, no. sir: there |,
nothing to conceal, sir. assure you.'
"Then. for Gods sake, let 1t out o.
your system. mani" burst forth i'm
patiently. Whom am l a prisoner to-
What am ] held for? What sort Of
treatment is this am receiving?'
Peter bowed, without the tremor o,
an eyelash.
do not mention It, SIR" he muir
INJURED smoothly; eve are only toe
proud to have you as our guest al
Elmhurst. 1t has been very quiet here
now for some weeks, sir. and your
coming was welcome to us all"
could only stare at the fellow with
open mouth, so dumbfounded as to be
speechless. or all the idiots I had
ever met he was the worst, or else
his acting was magnificent. To save
me I was not certain which might be
the correct guess. He continued in
stately solemnity:
Il trust there remains nothing more
you desire to learn sir? If not, / am
requested to conduct you to the IL
brary. All. thank you. sir-this way
please"
He stood aside. statue-like, his eyes
looking directly past me. and pointed
with dignity to the open door. obeyed
the calm movement of that hand as
though it had been a military order
but. as I stepped into the twilight Of
the outer basement, l suddenly per
ceived the presence there of the at.
tendant graybeard. He moved In ad.
vance, and followed. aware that
Peter was closely at my heels. A
glance told me here was library, not
only In name, but in fact, large
square room, we'll lighted, the furni.
ture mahogany, shining like glass,
three Of the walls lined with books.
mostly in sombre bindings. A green