The Irish standard., 1912-06-29

Good Lord, man! they'd hang yersIn
stead of the other fellow. You'll have
ter lie some as it is, reckon, ter;ex
plain why yer left Sir Henry. an came
down here. Have yer got that fact
inter yer brains?"
Grant glared at him wickedly, but
remained silent across the table.
Eyer already in bad enough, without
huntin' more trouble. Better leave the
boy alone. 1 thought, at first, we'd
have ter use him, but don't now. Let
the girl believe he's deserted, and that
yer in a position ter help him. That
will serve yer purpose better than the
other scheme. 1t may awaken her
gratitude, her sweet Lowell"
Damn her Lowell"
$50 1t isn't love, eh, that makes yer
80 anxious. thought as much. What
Is 1t, then-revenge?" -
Grant held his breath a moment; his
dull eyes on the faces Of the two men,
well. might as we'll tell you." he
snarled at last. n loved her once, ]
guess; anyhow wanted her badly
enough. want her now, but not in
Just the same way. l want to show
her I'm the master. I want to give
her a lesson, and that cub brother of
hers. Id have got them all, the Col
onel with them, II that damned Col.
onial spy hadn't stolen my coat. had
them, dead to rights, Fagin, and the
papers to prove 1t. Now don't care
how it's done, 80 I get her. thought
she'd marry me to save the boy, but
II she won't. why then, you carry out
your plan-what Is it,"
Fagin laughed, again emptying his
glass.
Easy enough. She's alone. except
fer her father. and he can't get out of
bed. We've got jerks here, an the
damned old coward will do whatever
I tell him."
"But she despises me-"
ooh. no! Well make you a victim.
That will leave things In proper shape
between yer two. Well play it off as
a drunken lark-eh. Jones? My God!
1t won't be the first time we've done
the trick either Do you remember
that love-sick couple over at Toms
River, Ned? Never laughed so much
In my life. This Is Il better one. Lord!
but won't old Mortimer rave, an
mighty little good 1t will do him.
Come. what do yer say, Grant? Are
yer gamer"
"Hell's flre-yes." He got to his
feet. gripping the back of his chair.
"Bring-bring 'em in; this is good
place"
Fagin struck the table with his flst.
"Of course it ia, drink ter the bride
after the ceremony. Bill. bring In the
preacher"
ut was growing daylight. could
perceive the glow of the sky out
through the window, but the candles
still sputtered on the table, casting
grim lights and shadows on the faces
OF the three men. As Bill disappeared
into the parlor. stole silently back
to the library door.
"Tom." whispered briefly, "find the
boys, and bring them in here, through
orchard to the right, and there are no
guards In front. Move lively, but be
quiet"
What is 1t, Maori" asked young
Mortimer, eagerly.
II can't explain now. I must get
back where can see and hear. But
there is going to be fight. Hold the
men ready here until call. See that
their weapons are in good order"
! caught the CLINT Of his eye, but
could wait no longer. Indeed I was
scarcely back, snuggled under the
stairs, when Bill came forth, grlpplnk
the collar Of his prisoners coat. and
urging him down the hall. I crouched
lower, the morning light threatening
to reveal my hiding place. yet with
mind more at ease, now I knew the
men were close at hand. Within 1--WE
minutes the entire squad would be
crowded into that room. eager for
trouble to begin. Probably Fagin did
not have half-dozen fellows In the
house. II we co0ld strike swiftly
enough we might overpower them al.
without creating alarm outside, where
the main body lay. Some careless
ness had brought US good luck in hav.
Ing the front Of the house left un.
guarded. These thoughts swept over
me. and left me confident. The time
had come when was to serve her, to
prove my own worthiness. felt ready
and eager for the trial.
I caught glimpse Of Jenks' faoo. as
Bill jerked him forward. The man
was gray with terror, his parchment
ike skin scanned and contorted. He