The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1915-07-22
CHAPTER xll

CHAPTER xSl
JseqvsliRs.
The starr we're still shining when
avoks In my blanket. lighted . candle.
and stepped into the wooden tab Of
salt water outside the tent
shaved BY candlelight dressed in
my worn nding-breeches and Jacket.
then. candle In hand. began cropping
about among the faded bits of anesy
and tarnished properties until I found
the silver-scaled swtmming-tights once
VEN by the gin Of whom ~ had
heard % much.
The stazs had begun to fade when
stepped out through the dev-soaked
clover carrying In one hand Q satchel
containing the swimming suit. in the
other a gun casa. in which. carefully
oiled and doubly cased In flannel. re-
posed my only lu1ury-my breech-load-
ing shotgun
The Lizard was standing on his door
sill when l came up; he returned my
greeting sullenly. his keen eyes Of a
sea-bird rowing over me from head to
foot. A rumpled and sulky yellow cat,
evidently Just awake. sat on the door
step beside him and yawned At inter
vals. Tho pair looked a. though they
had made . night Of it
You took my letter last nishtr l
asked.
yes"
WAS there an answer for msr
"Yes."
So I took the letter and read it-A
formal line saying the Countess de
vassart would expect me at I'VE that
afternoon.
Look here. Lzard." I said. Il In
tend to be friends with you. and
mean to make you look on me as a
friend. It's to my advantage and to
yours"
ITO miner" he inquired. sneeringly.
And this is the first thing l want"
continued: and without further pre-
face unfolded our plans concerning
Jacqueline.
"Entendu." he said. drawing the
word. sis that all!"
mo. aot all. l want you to be my
messenger In time Of need. l want
you to be absolutely faithful to me-"
And what IL there in this. to my ad-
vantage. msieu?"
.'This, for one thing" l said, care
lessly. picking up my gun case. l
slowly drew out the barrels OF Damas-
Gus, then the rosewood stock and fore
end. assembling them lovingly; for 1t
was the finest weapon l had ever seen.
and it was breaking my heart to give
it away.
The poacher's eyes began to glitter
az fitted the double bolts and locked
breech and barrel with the extension
rib. Then snapped on the fore-end !:
and there lay the gun in my hands. .
fowling piece fit for an emperor.
Give itr muttered the poacher,
huskily
"Take 1t, my friend the Lizard"
replied. smiling down the wrench in
my heart.
There was a silence; then the poach.
er stepped forward. and, looking me
square in the eye, flung out his hand
l struck my open palm smartly against
his, in the Breton fashion; then We
clasped hands.
"Strike!" he cried; take my friend
ship If you want 1t, on this condition
what l am is my own concern, not
yours. Don't interfere. msieu; i,
would he useless. l should never be
tray you, but might kill you. DOM
interfere. But II you care for the good
will Of man like me, take It; and
when you desire a service from me
tell me, and I'll not fail you, by Sainte
Eline Of Paradise!"
He turned on his heel. kicking OF
his sabots on the doorsill. "Breal
bread with me; ask It," he said, gruft
ly, and walked before me into thu
house.
From the ashes on the hearth Z
spiral Of smoke curled The yellow
cat walked in and sat down, oontem
plating the ashes.
I Slowly saffron light flied thu
room: Jacqueline awoke In the din
bed.
She swathed herself in blanket ant
sat up. looking at me sleepily.
You came to SEQ me swim" shl
said.
And I've brought you a nsh's oil
yer skin to swim in," I replied, point
Ing at the satchel
She cast swift glance at her IA
ther. who. with the gun on his knees
sat as though hypnotized by the beaut,
of its workmanship. Her bright eye
fell on the gun; she understood in
flash.
Turn your back" she cried.
L wheeled about and sat down OF
the settle beside the poacher. Their,
came q light thud of small, bare fee
on the stone floor. then silence. Tn
poacher looked up.
She's gone to the ocean," he said
she has the mania for baths-lik
} you English" And he fell to rubbinl
i. / ~ -AtA 49,