Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-06-01
GEORGE C.. SHEDD

character and evil past. 1t was pros
poet to make one draw back, yet the con-
test lured me on.
AS preliminary / decided upon a sur
vey of Moore House-a flicker of curios-
ity, too. was in the decision a desire to
see again the face of this man who had
been an ancient enemy and with whom
l was about to renew hostilities.
AT about O'Clock, accordingly. l but
toned my coat snugiy. took "a Scotch cap
for my head and set out.
| made my way by path cut through
the wood, which led to the road that ran
from Moore House to the village. A
full moon shone in the sky, whose beams
penetrated through the wide-spreading
bouShs of the trees in lances and ar
rows of mellow light All was quiet as
strobe along the soundless carpet of
pine needles: an odor of balsam filled the
air, the heavy shadows laid themselves
here like black cloaks. and only the
steady insistent music of the waves roll
ing upon the beach beat in my ears.
Coming into the road, which was scarce
ly better lighted, l turned to the right
and continued my advance. Moore House
reposed j remembered, not more than a
hundred yards from the junction Of path
and road, and presently 1 saw it's gleam-
ing lights.
About the house a considerable space
had been cleared years before, but GER
tain natural features had been preserved
halted in the shadow Of q huge tree that
stood in the fringe where the road de-
bouched and examined the structure Of
the dwelling. The south side faced me.
the columned front opened eastward and
overlooked the ocean. In the wide spaces
of the lawn the moon shone full and
clear. marking every inequality, every
outstanding stick and stalk. No one was
in sight, so l stepped forward. and, by
tn Ii inc N a n cd w
way around in front and in close to the
large veranda The wide door stood open.
through which lamplight fell from the
hall, but that was all ! noted.
Presently came the sound of voices, and
there stepped through the door Elizabeth
the other girl and Mr.. Moore. The lat
ter's slender figure moved between those
OF his companions, and his thin, smooth
shaven face appeared for an instant In
the light. an indulgent smile was on his
lips. and he was speaking in the perfectly
modulated tones / knew so we'll My posi-
ton was not particularly envtable: il 1
retreated they would, no doubt, perceive
my moving figure in the moonlight and
If / remained they might come straight
upon my bush to discover me crouching
behind it. explanations of my skulking
position would be embarrassing. But II
seemed that fortune was for the time
upon my side. as they paused. chatted a
moment and proceeded in leisurely stroll
down the slope toward the water, as II
attracted by the beauty of the moonlit
sea.
With a sigh of relief I watched them
depart. Next instant thought of them
was forgotten by the appearance of an
other figure in the doorway-a compact,
plump little figure-D'Urville. no other,
he himself, though masking as Senior Del
Hervalie, a Venezuelan He stepped for
ward until he stood beside one of the
white. lofty columns. A tall shrub close
to the position he occupied was within
my line of vision. screening me from
sight Hardly taking thought and by
sudden impulse which urged me to OBJ
tain nearer and clearer view OF him,
l bent low and stole to this shelter.
where, peeping round. l beheld the man
not ten feet away. He wore a black
frock coat. buttoned tightly about his
form, and the years had used him well,