The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1912-06-28

room. engaged with some details OF
repair TO the adyenturer's wardrobe,
O'Rourke remained for a brief space
standing in the middle Of the cabin
visibly distracted. Then abruptly
some whimsical consideration seemed
70 resolve ais dubiety--as lightning
will clear sultry. broodiug air. a smile
d]eepened the corners Of his mouth,
the flicker in his eye merged magicElly
into a twinkle. the shrug Of his broad
shoulders conveyed an impression OF
casting care TO the winds.
Danny, lad" he remarked reflect
lively, throwing himself ungracelully
upon the cushioned transom opposite
TO his berth. Danny, ye wouldn't lie
to me. would We nowg'
AVN" reproved Danny. "Shure,
yer honor knows ut isn't in me at all"
And to himself; "Phat the divvle
now?"
Then tell me, Danny, truthfully;
did ye ever see a ghost?'
"Aw.w!"-seeing cause to take the
query as a Joke.
"A ghost that had grown a beard
since It had become a ghost, Danny"
"Aw-aw.wl"-still willing TO DO
amused. II himself" chose to be face,
tious.
Because" continued ORourke with
a slight frown. ~ have, and that NOT
five minutes since"
"Aw?"
Vance | left a man for dead. Dan
ny, with a clean sword thrust through
the body Of him-a misbegotten black.
guard he was; hut ! killed him IN fair
fight, sword to sword, and no ia.
yor. And this bright and
beautiful morning, 10 and behold yet
who should come tripping up the gans.
plank but his ghost, as lively az ye
please. and with a neat lev beard"
"Aw-w ?"-incredulously.
ORourke frowned impatiently "Des
Trebes." he explained.
"Aw-"
stop 1t, ye parrot! Stop It, | say!
Have ye no word in the dark lexicon
of your ignorance other than 'Aw-aw'?
Get up, we omadhaun, and take me re-
spects to the purser and ask him
please will he show We the passen.
ger-list."
The valet left with circumspect ala.
Gritty.
Alone, O'RouTke rose and turned
thoughtfully to n revolver that made
a conspicuous black spot on the white
counterpane Of the berth, with nery.
Gus, strong fingers Numbering the
weapon and taking account Of the
brass dials Of the cartridges that
nestled snug in its six-chambered
cylinder. The machine was in perfect
condition; O'Rourke snapped the
breech shut and thrust 1t in his peck.
ct. Then he sat down to think. sub
consciously aware from noises with.
out that the tender had swung off and
the anchor was being trlpped.
Could the resemblance be acciden.
tai? 1t seemed hardly possible. The
Des Trebes he had known had been a
type distinct, so clear and aloof from
the general Frenchman that not even
the addition of a beard to his physiog.
nomy could have proven n thorough
disguise. And 1t seemed reasonable
enough to assume that, Mrs, Prynne
having failed In her undertaking, Des
Trebes would resume his office as &C.
tive head Of their conspiracy. II 1t
were indeed he whom O'Rourke had
just seen, there was every chance i'm
aginable that the final chapter in the
history Of the lrishman's connection
with the Pool of Flame would prove
an eventful one.
Maybe not" admitted O'Rourke
maybe | deceive meself. But I'm
persuaded III do well to keep both me
eyes open until the day I'm rid of the
damned thing!"
At this juncture Danny's knock took
him to the door. "Mongscre Raoul do
Hyeres." announced the valet breath
lessly: "'tis thot the purser says his
name Is. yer honour"
Yes" assented O'Rourke dubious.
ly. But perhaps the purser's miBta.
ken-misinformed."
ITO BE CONTINUEDl