The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-10-24
The Amateur Gentleman
BY Jeffrey FarnoI

q INSTALLMENT ONE HUNDRED
THIRTY
GO" said he at last, breaking the
/ - ominous silence. 80 it's-yes.
10 is Mr.-Barty I think. unpleas-
antly damp and devilish muddy,
and, consequently. rather more OBJ
/ iectionable than usual"
I have ridden far. and the roads
were bad" said Barnabas.
All and pray Why inflict yourself
upon me?"
For a very good and sufficient
reason, sir
"Ha. a reason?" said Mr.. Chi
chester, Longing against the man
tel. Can it be you have discerned
at last that the highly dramatic
meeting between father and son at
a certain banquet, not so long ago.
was entirely contrived by myself
that twas my hand drove you from
society and made you the derision
Of London, Mr.. Barty?"
Why, yes" sighed Barnabas; i
guessed that much, sir"
Indeed, admire your perspicac-
ity, Mr.. Barty. And now, 1 pre-
sumo you have broken into my
house with some brutal idea of
pummeling me with your fists? But,
sir. am no prizefighter, like you
and your estimable father, and 1
warn you that"
Sir" said Barnabas softly, do
not trouble to ring the bell my mis-
sion here is-nOt to thrash you"
No? Cad. sir, but you're very
forbearing. on my soul you are"
Sir" he said, more softly than
before, give me leave to tell you
that the Lady Cleone will not keep
her appointment here. tonight"
"Ah-h!" said Mr.. Chichester slow
ly. and staring at Barnabas under
his drawn brOws, ''you-mean-?"
That she was safe home three
quarters Of an hour ago."
Mr.. Chichester's long, white fng-
ers WTithed suddenly upon the bell
rope, released it, and, lifting his
hand swiftly, he loosened his high
cravat, and so stood, breathing
heavily, his eyes once more mar
rOWed to shining Sits, and with
the scar burning redly upon his
cheek.
so you have dared" he began
thickly, you have dared to inter
fere again? You have dared to
come here, to tell me SOP"
mo, sir" answered Barnabas,
shaking his head, L have come
here to kill YOU"
Barnabas spoke very gently, but
as Mr.. Chichester beheld his calm
eye, the prominence of his chin, and
his grimly-smiling mouth, his eyes
Wldened suddenly, his clenched f1ng-
ers opened and he reached out
again toward the bell-rope.
'Stopl" said Barnabas, and speak
ing, levelled his pistol.
"Ahl" sighed Mr. Chichester. fall
ing back a step, you mean to
murder me, do yOu?"
I said 'kilI-though yours is the
better word, perhaps. Here are
two pistols, you will observe; one is
for you and one for me. And we
are about to sit down-here, at the
table, and do our very utmost to
murder each other. But first,
must trouble you to lock the door
yonder and bring me the key. Lock
it, I Say!"
XTERY slowly, and with his eyes
' fixed in a wide stare upon the
threatening muzzle of the weapon
BarnabaS held, Mr.. Chichester
crossed to the door, hesitated,
turned the key, and drawing it from
the lock. stood with it balanced in
his hand a moment, and then tossed
it toward BarnabaS.
Now the key lay within a yard of
Barnabas who, stepping forward,
made as though to reach down for
it; but in that instant he glanced
up at Mr.. Chichester under his
brows. and in that instant also, Mr..
Chichetesr took a swift, backward
step toward the hearth; wherefore,
because of this, and because of the
look in Mr.. Chichester's eyes, Bar
nabas smiled, and, so smiling,
kicked the key into a far corner.
ITO be cOntinued).