The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1916-02-09


the long letters which Fergus dispatch.
ed by nearly every mail. His con
science pricked him as he took his let.
ter to the post, and he had IL regis.
tered ON no other score.
On Saturday the bank closed at ]
o'clock. The staff were to return and
dine at Z, the kings birthday falling
on the same day for q sufficient pre-
| text As the hour approached Fergus
made the distressing discovery that his
friend and host had anticipated the
festivities with too free hand. Mac
bean was not drunk, but he was per.
ceptibly blunted and blurred, and Fer
gus had never seen the pale eyes so
watery or the black skull cap So much
on one side of the venerable head. The
lad was genuinely grieved. A whisky
bottle stood empty on the laden board,
and he had the temerity to pocket the
corkscrew while Macbean was gone to
bis storeroom for another bottle A
solemn search ensued, and then Fergus
was dispatched in haste for a new
cOrkscrew.
AN look slippy," said Macbean "or
we'll have old Donkin here before ye
get back"
Not for another three-quarters Of an
hour" remarked Fergus, looking at
his watch.
Amy minutev' retOrted Macbean,
with ribald eplthet. II invited Don
kin, in confidence to come a good half
hour airly, and I'll tell ye for why
Donkin must ken, but I'm none 50 sure
o yon other impident young squirt.
His tongues too long for his mouth
Donkin or | could always be behind
the counter. Anyway, l mean to take
his Opeenion before tellin' any other
body"
Fergus took his departure by the pri-
vate entrance, hurried till he was out
Of sight and then idled shamelessly I'M
der the trees. He was not going on
Cor a new corkscrew. He was going
back to confess boldly where he had
found the old one.
Fergus glanced over htsshouldeH saw
Donkin hurrying and hurried himself
In order to take up good position for
seeing the cashiers face He was In
! the middle Of the treacherOus floor be.
fore he perceived that 1t was not Mae
bean in the half light behind the coun.
ter, but a good looking man whom he
had never seen before.
Didn't know I was invited, eh1"
said the stranger, putting up a single
eyeglass. Don't believe It perhaps?
You'd better ask Mr.. Macbean!
And before II had occurred 10. him to
stir from where he stood agape the
floor fell from under the feet of Fer
gus, his body lurched forward, and
came down fiat and heavy on the hard
earth eight feet below. And In the
clinging velvet darkness the young
man heard a groan
rs that yourself, Fergyf'
And are you there, Mr.. Macbean?"
Mon, didn't 1t shut Just finew
It's Stingaree," said the old man,
drawing breath through his teeth.
"Of course 1t is
Il never breathed It to a soul"
"No more did |"
Fergus spoke with ready confidence,
and yet the words left something on
his mind. Ii was something vague,
but haunting; something that made
him feel instinctlyely unworthy of the
kindly accomplishing tone which had
annoyed him but moment before.
mo bones broken, FergyT'
"None that | know Of"
81 doubt I've not been so lucky. I'm
thinkin' It's rib by the way It hurts
% breathe"
Fergus was already fumbling In his
pocket. The matchbox opened with n
click. The match scraped several times
In vain. Then at last the scene sprang
out as ON the screen OF magic lantern
And TO Fergus 1t was very white OLD
man, hunched up against the muddy
wall with blood upon his naked scalr
and beard and both hands pressed t.
his side; to the old man muddy face
stricken with Mortified concern and II
match burning down between muddy
fingers, but to both such new view
and version OF their precious hole that
the corners Of each mouth were witch
ing as the match was thrown away.
Fergus was tumbllng for another
when step rang overhead, and ut
the sharp exchange OF words which
bOth underground expected Fergus
came on all fours 10 the old mans side,
and together they sat gazing upward
into the pail OF impenetrable Grape.
"You Internal villainw they heard
DOnkln roar, and stamp his feet with
such effect that the floor opened, and
down through the square OF light came
the cashier feet first.
Heaven and hellr he squealed, but
subsidized unhurt on hands and knees
as the flaps went up with such snap
that Macbean aud Carrick nudged each
other at the same moment Nov !
know who you arer' the cashier raved
''Call yourself StiDgareel You're Fow.
Ter dressed up, and this is one Of Mae
beans putrid practical jokes. saw
his jackal burrying in 20 say | was
coming BY cripes. II takes a surgical
operation % see their sort, grant
you"
There was a noise OF subdued laugh
ter overhead; even In the pit a dry
chuckls came through MacBean's set
teeth
"If lts a practical Joke o. mine, Don