The Washington herald., 1912-06-30
CHAPTER III (continusd)

lesring and bobbing at him from the
end OF its string. Mon Dieu, I tel
you that when the lamp is lighted
Buclzy Nome must be blind if he doesn't
recognize you. even though you're
dead, M'sieur"
He lighted 4 smaller lamp, shaved
himself, and changed his clothes. Il
was dark when he was ready for sup
per, and Nome had not returned He
waited quarter of an hour longer
then put on his cap and coat and light
ed the big oil lamp At the door he
turned to look back. The cavernous
sockets of the skull stared at him
From where he stood he could see the
ragged hole above the ear.
It's your game tonight, M'sieur
Janette," he cried back softly, and clos
ed the door behind him.
They were gathered before a huge
hre of logs in the factors big living
room when Philip joined the ethers.
A glance told him why Nome had not
returned to the cabin. Breed and the
colonel were smoking cigars over a
ragged ledger of stupendous size, which
the factor had spread out upon a small
table, and both were deeply absorbed.
Mrs. Becker was facing the fire, and
close beside her sat Nome, leaning to-
ward her and talking in a voice so low
that only a murmur of it came to
Steele's ears. The mans face was
flushed when he looked up, and his eyes
shone with the old FIRE which made
Philip hate him.
As the woman turned to greet him
Steele felt a suddenly sickening senss-
ton grip at his heart. Her cheeks, too,
~ IL
deepened still more when he bowed to
her and joined the two men at the table
The colonel shook hands with him, and
Philip noticed that once or twice after
that his eyes shifted uneasily in the di-
rection of the two before the FIRE, and
THAT whenever the low laughter of Mrs
Becker and Nome came to them he paid
less attention to the columns of figures
which Breed was pointing out to him.
When they rose 10 go Tito supper,
Philips blood boiled as Nome offered
his arm to Mrs. Becker, who accepted
il with swift, laughing glance at the
colonel. There was no response in the
older mans pale face, and Philips FIN
gers dug hard into the palms of his
, hands. At the table Nome's attentions
10 Mrs Becker were even more marked
Once. under preteXt of helping her to
d dish. he whispered words which
brought a deeper flush to her cheeks,
and when she looked at the colonel his
eyes were fixed upon her in stern re-
proof 1t was abominable! Was Nome
mad? Was the woman
Steele did not finish the thought in
his own mind. His eyes encountered
those OF the colonel's wife across the
table. He saw d sudden, quick catch of
, breath in her throat; even as he looked
the flush faded from her face, and she
rose from her seat her gaze still upon
him
IL am not feeling we'll" she said
will you please excuse me" -.
In an instant Nome was at her side,
but she turned quickly from him to the
colonel who had risen from his chair
Please take me TO my room," she
begged. "Then-then you can come
back"
Once more her face turned to Steele.
There was a Pallor in It now that
startled him For a few moments ne
stood alone. as Breed and Nome left
the table He listened. and heard the
opening and closing of a second door
Then a footStep, and Nome reoppeared.
BY heaven, but she's a beauty" he
exclaimed. L tell you, Steele"
Something in his companions eyes
stopped him. Two red spots burned
in Steeles cheeks as he advanced and
griPped the other hercely by the arm.
Yes. she is pretty-very pretty" he
said quietly, his fingers sinking deeper
into Nome's arm Get your hat and
coat, Nome, I want to see you in the
cabin"
p.L;,l .L.-, -. 5..- ...-I -
closed again, and Steele showed past
his associate to meet Breed.
Buck and I have a little matter to |
planned. When they-when the colonel |
returns tell him we'll be over to smoke
an after-supper pipe with him a little |
later. will YOU? And give our compli- |
ments to-her." With a half-sneer on
his lips he rejoined Nome, who stared |
hard at him, and followed him through /!
the outer door.
Now, what the devil does this
mean" Nome demanded when they
were outside 'If you have anything |
on your mind. Steele"
Il have" interrupted Philip, "and |
I'm going to relieve myself of it. |
Pretty? She's as beautiful as an angel. |
Buck-the ooloneIs wife, I mean And !
YOU" He laughed harshly. You're
always the lucky dog, Buck Nome You
think she's half in love with you now
Too bad she was taken i'll Just at the |
psychological moment, as YOU might |
say. Buck. Wonder what was the mat
ter"
Don't know" growIed Nome, con-
scious Of something in the others voice
which darkness concealed in his face
"Of course, you don't" replied
Steele. That's why I am bringing you
over TO the cabin. l am going to tell
you just what happened when Mrs.
Becker was taken i'll, and when she
turned a trIfe pale, If you noticed
sharply, Buck. It's a good joke,
mighty good joke, and know you will
thoroughly appreciate it"
He drew a step back when they came
near the cabin, and Nome entered first.
Very coolly Philip turned and bolted
the door, Then, throwing off his coat,
he pointed to the white skull dangling
under the lamp.
Allow me to introduce an old friend
of mine, Buck-Msieur Janette, of
Nelson House"
With a sudden curse Nome leaped to-
ward his companion, his face flaming,
his hands clenched to strike-only to
look into the shining muzzle of Steele's
revolver, with Steele's cold gray eyes
glittering dangerously behind it.
FN ~ ~ -