The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1913-07-12

asleep" In the tone of one who de
mands an oath.
oh, yes. sir; he's sleeping nicely
Mr.. Van Camp. l saw the change the
moment | came in"
Aleck still hesitated to leave, fear
full. apparently, lest he might take the
blessed sleep away with him. AS he
stood by the bed, low but distinct
whistle sounded outside, then, after
moments interval, was repeated
Aleck lifted his head at the first sig
nal. took another look at James and
one at Hand, then light as a cat he
darted from the room and down the
stairs, leaving the house through one
OF the tall windows in the parlor. Mr..
Chamberlain was standing near the
lilac bushes. his big figure outlined
dimly in the darkness.
Shut up" Aleck whispered fierce
ly. as he ran toward him. Hes just
got to sleep, Chamberlain; gone to
sleep, like baby. Don't make an In
fernal racket"
"Oh. | didn't know. Didn't mean
to make a racket" began Chamber
lain. when Aleck pumped into him
and shook him by the shoulders.
He's asleep-like a baby!" he re-
iterated. And Chamberlain, wise COM
| tramped him off over the hill to settle
| his nerves. They walked for an hour
| arm in arm over the road that lay like
gray ribbon before them in the
night. winding up slantwise along the
rugged country.
Dawn was awake on the hills mile
away, and by and by Aleck found
tongue to tell the story of the night,
which was good for him. He talked
fast and unevenly. and even extrava-
gantly. Chamberlain listened and
loved his friend in a sympathy that
spoke for itself, though his words
were commonplace enough. BY the
time they had circled the flve-mile
road and were near the house again,
Aleck was something like himself,
though still unusually excited. Cham
berlain mentioned casually that Miss
and that all his friends at the big no
tel had worried. Finally. he. Cham
terlain, had set out for the old red
house, thinking he could possibly be
Of service; in any case glad to be near
his friend
And, by the way" Chamberlain
added, you may be interested to hear
that accidentally | got on the track
OF that beggar who ate the hermit's
eggs. Took tramp this morning, and
found him held up at kind of sailors |
Inn. waiting for money. Grouchy old |
party; no wonder his men shipped |
him."
Aleck at first took but feeble inter |
est In Chamberlain's discoveries; he |
was stir far from being his precise.
judicial self. He let Chamberlain talk
on. scarcely noticing what he said.
until suddenly the identity of the
man whom Chamberlain was describ-
ing came home to him. Agatha's
story flashed back in his memory. He
stopped short in his tracks, hating
bis companion with a stretched-out
Look here, Chamberlain" he said.
I've been half loony and didn't take
In what you said. II that's the owner
or proprietor Of the Jeanne D'Arc-
a man known as Monsieur Chatelard,
French accent, blond. above medium
size, prominent white teeth-we want
him right away. He kidnapped Miss
Redmond in New York, and / shouldn't
wonder If he kidnapped old Jim and
stole the yacht besides. He's a bad
,ne."
Mr.. Chamberlain had the air of hui
noring a lunatic. well, what's to be
lone? Is it a case for the law? Is
here any evidence to be had?"
Law, Evidenced" cried Aleck.
I should think so. You go to Big
Simon, Chamberlain, and find out
Who's sheriff, and we'll get a warrant
md run him down. Heavens! A man
ike that would sell his mother!"
Chamberlain looked frankly skepti-
al, and would not bulge until Aleck
lad related every circumstance that ,
lie knew about Agatha's involuntary
light from New York. He was all .
or going to the red house and inves-
igating Agatha herself, but Aleck re-
used to let him do that.
She's worn out and gone to bed:
vou can't see her. But it's straight. ,
you take my word. We must catch
hat scoundrel and bring him here for ,
be sure there's no 8
And II 1t is he, It'll be hot
enough for him." ,
Chamberlain doubted whether IL
vas the same man, and put up objec. 7
ions seriatim to each proposition of :
Alecks, but finally accepted them all. :
lie made a point. however. of going '
IN his quest alone.
You go back to the red house and ,
20 to bed, and I'll round up Eggs.
hink l know how the trick can be ,
lone" ,
Aleck was stubborn about accom- !
'anying Chamberlain. but the English ,
pan plainly wouldn't have It. He told :
Aleck he could do It better alone. and /,
ed him by the arm back to the old >
ed house, where the kitchen door !
TODD Hospitality open. Sallie was at ,
york In her pantry. The kettle was ,
inging on the stove, and the milk
lad already come from a neighbors !
airy. ,
sallies temper may not have BEEN