THE
SHEEP’S
CLOTHING
By LOUIS JOSEPH VANCE
1
=
Author of :—_ —
=
"THE LONE WOLF," THE BRASS BOWL,”
Etc.
=====-:
HERMISTON
HERALD,
THE CUSTOMS INSPECTORS AT NEW YORK TAKE A HAND
ANO THE SUSPICION GROWS THAT LYDIA KNOWS
MORE THAN HER NEW FRIENDS SUSPECT
Synopsis— Lydia Craven, traveling under the name of Lucy Car
teret, runs away from her English home to go to her father, Thaddeus
Craven, in New York, who she hasn't seen in five years. Three nights
out on board the steamer Aisatta, she runs plump into her father mak
ing love to Mrs. Merrilees, a young widow, engaged to marry him.
Later Craven explains his mysterious conduct and supposed bachelor
hood by telling Lydia he Is a British secret service agent In America.
He gives her a small box to keep for him. She is attacked. The box
Is stolen, but Quoin, a detective, recovers it for the girl.
HERMISTON,
OREGON.
SHEEP’S CLOTHING
Hr
By LOUIS JOSEPH VANCE
abruptly to turn and examine the
deputy with the eye of disfavor. “Yes?"
she asked brusquely.
The deputy introduced himself. “The
Inspector has Just Informed me of this
—er—unfortunate matter,” he pursued.
“And I thought I might possibly be able
to help straighten it out.”
“Kind of you, I’m sure.” But the
tone of Mrs. Merrilees completely be
lled this statement. “Have you any
thing to propose?”
“If I might have the privilege of a
word In private—” the deputy suggest
ed blandly.
Quoin made as if to withdraw.
“Wait, please. This is Mr. Quoin.
You may have heard of him.”
“Who hasn’t?” the deputy returned
pleasantly. “Proud to meet you, sir.”
"Mr. Quoin has kindly volunteered
to help me in this—outrage. Anything
you wish to say he may hear.”
“As you please, madam, but—" The
glance of the deputy veered significant
ly to Peter and Lydia.
!
“No!” Mrs. Merrilees insisted warm
ly. “You can have nothing to say that
any of my friends may not hear.”
"Then, madam—permit me to advise
you, in all deference—”
“Well?”
“It will save you a great deal of
trouble to produce the original collar,
pay the duty on it, and—”
"Quoin!” Betty exclaimed In a tone
of Irritated perplexity. “What can this
person mean?”
Quoin was silent.
“I don’t mean,” the deputy pursued,
unabashed, "to be offensive; but—the
Inference Is unavoidable. You are
known to have purchased a valuable
pearl collar in Paris—”
“I believe I declared it !”
“But upon examination you produce
only a comparatively worthless imita
tion, and assert that you have been
robbed of the original.”
“I assert I I have asserted nothing.”
Mrs. Merrilees drew a long breath,
closed her teeth with a vindictive snap,
and reopened them to observe with
withering distinctness, “Go away ! You
are insolent ! You presume—oh, you
annoy me ! Do go—before I forget my
self !”
“We can't assess an imitation at the
value of the real necklace, of course,
and yet we know that the original is
coming into this country by this boat.”
“Then permit me to recommend the
other passengers to your attention.”
“We’ll do our best to overhaul them
all, I promise you. But if the goods
don’t turn up, we’ll feel reluctantly
compelled to make a thorough search,
not only of your luggage but of your
self as well, Mrs. Merrilees.”
“Quoin !” Mrs. Merrilees appealed.
The investigator shook his head.
“It’s too bad ; but I really don't see
what’s to be done about it. These peo
ple have the power to make things
mighty unpleasant for you unless—”
“What, you too?” she hissed, with
vast dramatic expression.
“No, no!” Quoin protested hastily.
“Don't misunderstand me. I'm only
afraid that, unless the necklace shows
up, you’ll have to submit.”
“Very well !” With a shrug of de
fiance, Mrs. Merrilees showed Quoin
an ungracious back. To the deputy
she added with blighting disdain, “Go
ahead. And while you’re finding noth
ing in my trunks you may as well send
for a female inspector to search me.
But every one of you will suffer for
this—or I’ll know the reason why !”
“I’m sorry, madam.”
But there wasn’t much uneasiness
betrayed in the deputy collector’s man
ner as he signed to the Inspector to do
his hateful duty.
The three friends of Mrs. Merrilees,
on the other hand, were acutely uncom
fortable—Quoin in disgrace, Peter
Traft firmly convinced that the deputy
was right and consequently afraid to
meet Betty's eyes, and Lydia not only
sore distressed with misgivings, but re
pelled by Betty's attitude.
And this was the phase of the affair
disclosed to Craven when he bustled
up, aglow with satisfaction.
“Hello, people! I’m all clear. Had
the deuce of a time—the silly ass want
ed to rook me for duds I brought in as
long ago as 1908; but— What’s the
row?”
This last was In a tone radically
changed, and at the same Instant his
fiancee decided to acknowledge him on
probation, however rigidly she might
elect to deny the rest of humanity. So
she unbent enough to beckon him with
a nod; and Craven hurried on to get
his answer from the one most con
cerned.
WHEN THE CUSTOMS INSPECTORS DISCOVER THAT MRS.
peurl suspended between the blue of please do your worst as quickly as
haze-veiled sky and the blue of conflu possible.”
MERRILEES HAS BROUGHT IN A LOT OF IMITATION
“Very well, ma'am. I’ll hurry you
ent waters.
“Then let me see you back to your
through
as
fast
as
I
can.
”
“Arthur Rackham must have colored
JEWELS THEY SUSPECT HER OF TRYING TO
stateroom, and I’ll—"
It became immediately apparent
it,” Lydia mused aloud.
“No, I—I'd rather wait here. I must
PLAY A SMUGGLING TRICK
“Wait—this is only the overture— that the man wasn’t disposed to doubt
know tonight—I can’t sleep without wait till you see it as I mean to show the eincerlty of her conversation. The
knowing—”
it to you—bridlepaths In Central park luggage she had indicated as innocent
Admiration kindled in Quoin's re of a sunny morning, Broadway at night of dutiable goods he passed with the
Synopsis—Lydia Craven, traveling as Lucy Carteret, runs away
gard. He liked that spirit She had with a full head of steam on, South most perfunctory examination, while
from her English home to go to her father, Thaddeus Craven, in New
Seen quick to recover, quicker than the street at noon with the old sailing the millinery and other declared pur
York, whom she hasn't seen for five years. Three days out on board
average woman would have been. ships asleep in the sun and their fore- chases detained him only briefly.
the steamer Alsatia, she runs plump into Craven, making love to Mrs.
“Very well,” he assented.
“Everything is quite O. K„ thanks
Merrilees, a young widow, engaged to marry him. Later Craven ex
feet up on the sidewalk, Fifth avenue
They moved forward. Opposite the at evening, lights like big pearls pop to you, ma'am. And now if you will
plains his mysterious conduct and supposed bachelorhood by telling
companionway Lydia paused.
Lydia he is a British secret service agent In America. She is attacked
ping out through the purple dusk—” let me have a look at that necklace.
"Will you be long?”
at night and a small box containing supposed valuable documents,
Ostentatiously drawing a handker I’ve sent for the appraiser. He’ll be
“Not ten minutes,” Quoin promised. chief from his cuff, Peter mopped his along in a minute."
which he has given her to keep for him, is stolen. This is recovered
His figure momentarily eclipsed the brows. "Beg pardon. Being poetical
The box was already unlocked. Mrs.
for her by Quoin, an amateur detective. When the party lands at New
blur of light that stood for the door- under forced draft Is a bit exhaust Merrilees promptly removed the leath
York, Lydia, carrying the small box, has no trouble passing the customs
way.
er-bound Jewel case and handed it to
Inspection. When Mrs. Merrilees declares a $60,000 necklace, the In
ing.”
Indeed it was hardly more than ten
spector tells her It Is worth about $300—Just an Imitation. This infor
“Yoar prose isn’t anything to boast the Inspector.
minutes when the doorway was again of. H ry James at his most arro
Touching the spring, he let the lid
mation astounds them and Mrs. Merrilees raises a row.
darkened, and Quoin came to Lydia’s gant wis never more unintelligible.” fly up, exposing the pearl collar. As
side.
“Oh, you’ll wise up to it quick If dazzled, he blinked furiously. “She’s
“Was I long? I'm sorry. I had to be
her, a regard somehow faintly remi
enough But mind there’ll be nothing a daisy !” he announced with unction.
CHAPTER X.
rather severe before they gave in— doing in the poetry line after we’re “Finest piece of the sort that’s come
niscent of their parting subsequent to
—11—
and up.”
The silence was short-lived ; but her adventure of the night before last.
married. I know my limitations, and through this year, or I’m no Judge.”
“You succeeded?" He laughed qui
Momentarily his interest shifted to while it lasted a power of scorn
She favored him with her shadowy,
I couldn't stand the pace.”
etly. “Here it is.”
the bill of the Parisian Jeweler.
played like lightning round the de enigmatic smile, now vaguely tinted
Here
an
apologetic
steward
caught
Mute in astonishment, speechless
“Three hundred thousand francs—
with solicitude.
with gratitude, she took the puzzle box Peter’s eye. “Beg pardon, Mr. Traft, sixty thousand dollars,” he mused rated head of the appraiser.
Nodding briefly, with a thoughtful
but
you
’
re
wanted
In
the
dining
sa
As
for
Lydia
and
Peter
(who
had
from his extended hand.
aloud. “You got it cheap, ma’am, if lust Joined the group), they gaped In air, Quoin returned his consideration
loon
to
acknowledge
your
declara
“A crook known as Southpaw Smith
I'm any Judge.”
ipen amazement ; while the Inspector to Peter and the article de Paris.
—be deals left-handed—had It, togeth tion."
“Nonsense!” Mrs. Merrilees retort ooked sorry for Charlie.
"I simply cannot understand it !”
“
Thanks,
”
said
Peter
sulkily.
“
I
er with the father and mother of all
ed indignantly. "As if an American
Betty declared, abandoning the puzzle
black eyes. I was almost sorry for presume It’s got to be tended to. You, ever got anything cheap In Paris— After lightning, thunder, remote, as hopeless. Then, catching sight of
naestoso, “Are—you—mad ?”
him. ‘George Traymore’ Is his alias too, Miss Craven.”
and from Cottier’s, of all places ! By “Me? No, ma’am, not a bit. It’s the detective, she hailed him. “Quoin,
“
But
I
’
ve
already
made
my
acknowl
on the passenger list. A tall, slender
every right you ought to assess the lothing to me, you know.”
do come here at once!” and Immedi
scoundrel—very, very smooth. Not edgment, Mr. Traft. I'm so sorry !”
“I wish I could believe you were!” duty on not more than forty thousand “Don’t quibble, if you please. I ately, heedless of bystanders, began
that you're likely to see him before we
dollars."
vant to know whether or not you’re to detail her perplexity in a high,
land, if then. He’ll lay very low and said Peter vindictively, and went a mo
"Well,” the Inspector suggested in laft. You know perfectly well that querulous voice.
rose
way
without
her.
make the quietest getaway from the
After a moment or two Lydia rose
He would have been less downcast dulgently, “we’ll Just see what the ap- necklace is worth ninety—sixty thou-
dock he can manage—”
praiser says. There he Is now. Hey,
“Mr. Quoin !” the girl interrupted In could he have guessed how soon the Charlie, step over here a minute, will ¡and dollars. Look at the bill. In- and Joined Peter Traft. "Poor dear!”
spector, be good enough to show this she said gently, with a slight nod to
girl was to miss him. Alone and with
a tremulous voice.
you?”
correct any possible misconception as
person Cottier’s bill.”
out
distraction,
imagination
was
hag
“Yes?”
In response to this hail, a slender,
Her embarrassment was painful. ridden by the care of that wretched bespectacled young man In O section The appraiser examined the receipt to the object of her sympathy. “I’m
“What can I say to you? Mere thanks puzzle box. It was still safe In her nodded assent, picked his way through vith ostensible astonishment. “I don’t so sorry for her !”
understand this, ma’am,” he faltered.
“Well,” said Peter, impressively
possession—that was the worst of It !
aren’t adequate.”
the barrier of trunks, and, recognizing
judgmatical, “of course Betty can af
“Please say no more. To know I’ve Nevertheless, she had as yet said Mrs. Merrilees, touched the vizor of a “Nor I!”
“Cottier’s don’t deal In imitations, ford to lose these trinkets by the gross ;
been of some use is enough. Besides,” nothing to Craven about the attack cap bearing the word “Appraiser.”
: know,” he pursued with greater con- but, granted she isn’t faking, it's a
he laughed boyishly, “I’ve had a good In the fog, fearing lest he might insist
“Mrs. Merrilees has declared her Idence. “All the same, I’ll stake my pretty puzzle, isn’t it?”
time bullyragging Southpaw. I like resuming charge of the puzzle box;
and so, perhaps, put himself in the necklace, Charlie,” said the Inspector, ob that those are fish-skin pearls,
“Faking !” Lydia echoed resentfully.
that sort of thing, you know.”
way of some perils more vital even handing over the case. “And here’s aste brilliants, and—well, the set-
“Now don’t get huffy—please !
“I shall be always grateful—”
Betty’s a darling, and everything like
‘Then do something to oblige me. than that which had befallen her. And the bill ; but she wants you to take a Ings, I admit, are genuine.”
slant at It for value."
“Then your Job Is as good as lost. that; but she’s got no conscientious
[ sha'u't be easy in my mind until her father was all she had !
Nodding again, the appraiser nar ! shall file a complaint and have you scruples about smuggling—none that
When they were free to stream
you’re safe in your room.”
you’d notice—and I don’t mind telling
Transition from the gloom of the down the gangway to the pier Craven, rowed his eyes and surveyed the neck lischarged for incompetence.”
deck to the brilliantly lighted compan consigning Lydia to the care of Peter lace with an expression of some mys “If you’ll pardon me, I don’t be- you she isn't above turning a trick like
this—acting up to It too. She’s one
ionway was bewildering. Instinctively Traft, rushed off to commandeer the tification. Then he pursed his Ups in leve you will, Mrs. Merrilees.”
Quoin and Lydia paused. The girl first available customs Inspectors for a noiseless whistle, looked bewilder “Easy, Betty!” Peter Traft inter- wonderful young comedienne, if you
smiled wistfully as she offered her himself and Mrs. Merrilees. So that ment at Mrs. Merrilees, and stepped osed. “Perhaps he’s right, after all.” don’t know It.”
“ ‘Turn a trick like this !’ What does
it was Peter who piloted Lydia to aside with the jewel case to a spot “Be quiet, Peter. When I want your
hand.
where sunlight, through a wide open idvice. I’ll let you know. Certainly that mean” Lydia demanded stiffly.
“Good-night—and thank you with all C section, hunted up her trunk, and
“Have her dog collar duplicated in
took her place In the rank at the ing, threw a brilliant splash of gold ' ought to know when I paid for that
my heart, Mr, Quoin !”
paste and fish scales, substitute it for
“Miss Craven,”—he retained her chief Inspector’s desk ; with the re athwart the tempered gloom of the .•ollar—”
“Then you have been shamefully
hand for a moment—“will you toll me sult that the luggage of "L. Carteret, pier-shed. Here he subjected the
Spinster," was quickly passed, and, necklace to minute inspection with a heated, Mrs. Merrilees," the inspec-
one thing?”
Peter reluctantly leaving her to pass magnifying glass. Finally, wearing or put in.
“If I may—anything—”
Illegible expression, he turned “Quite impossible. I know real
His eyes searched hers jealously. his own impedimenta, she was at lib an
fems from articles de Paris, and I ex-
erty to garner what diversion she back.
“Do you know what's In that box?"
imined this necklace with the great-
might from the trials of others.
“
It's
a
corking
good
thing,
”
he
an
“No. Mr. Quoin! Upon my word of
•st care before I purchased it. Since
nounced
in
an
odd
tone.
“
We
don
’
t
Tn
that
section
her
father
was
duti
honor, no."
fully but perspiringly In optimistic get many like it ; but the workman hen It has never left this box, which
Her eyes were limpid pools of In
endeavor to persuade his particular ship on this is immense ! Call it three wasn’t been out of my care an instant
genuous candor.
Quoin could no
•xcept when in the purser’s safe.”
Inspector
that he hadn't perjured him hundred at the outside.”
longer doubt. He nodded, releasing
self In his sworn declaration. Notic
“What !” Mrs. Merrilees blazed in "I’m sorry, but I know what I
her hand.
ing Lydia's indignant interest. Craven dignantly. “Three hundred thousand tnow. If you’re the Judge you think
“Thank you.”
Ridiculous ! Look at the rourself, ma’am, I can only suggest
paused only long enough to lift a fur dollars !
“But,” she lingered, "do you?"
hat you take this to the light and—
tive eyebrow and draw down the cor bill—”
T do,” he admitted reluctantly. ners of his mouth, thus signifying a
Jere, I’ll lend you my magnifying
“
No,
ma
’
am,"
the
appraiser
inter
“Not through any wish of mine. But
glass.”
conviction that his troubles were
Southpaw had only succeeded in puz wholly due to the pernicious interfer rupted with mournful decision, "not “Thank you, I sha’n’t require it”
three
hundred
thousand,
but
Just
zling the combination out when I in
ence of his political antagonists, even three hundred dollars; duty a hun With a gesture of rage, Mrs. Merri-
terrupted. I made him put back—what
ns predicted.
dred and eighty (sixty per cent ad ees snatched the case from the ap-
he'd taken from the box. Don’t worry.
val.), and If you like I’ll get someone raiser’s hands and moved toward the
She
returned
the
least
of
nods,
in
I've already forgotten what it was.
else
to size it up and see if maybe patch of sunlight. Before she had
dicating
that
the
puzzle
box
was
And Southpaw won't bother you again
reached it, studying the collar atten-
we
can
’t shade that a bit."
safe
—
as
it
was,
in
her
suede
handbag,
—I promise you that."
“Wha-at!’ Mrs. Merrilees almost vely on the way, Lydia saw her
Her eyes questioned anxiously, his which, dangling from her wrist by its
slacken pace and falter.
smiled reassurance. With yet another leather strap, had quite escaped the shrieked.
One short minute in that strong
attention
of
the
inspector.
“If it was real stuff I'd be sure,
good-night, Lydia turned away.
Then, remembering Craven’s hint ma’am," the appraiser apologized; flare sufficed. As pale in mystifica-
He watched her down the alleyway
ion as she had previously been with
to the door of B75, then turned to seek that it would be well not to attract “but you can’t always tell about these wrath, Mrs. Merrilees returned.
too
much
attention
to
their
relation
imitations
like
you
can
regular
“Then You Have Been Shamefully
his own berth, shaking his head to rid
“I owe you an apology,” she in
ship until clear of the customs, the girl stones.”
Cheated, Mrs. Merrilees,” the Inspec
.t of tormenting doubts.
formed
the
appraiser
In
a
shaking
tor Put In.
-
Softly closing the door, Lydia as turned away to kill time until her
voice. “It’s a palpable imitation.”
gently shot the bolt, hoping to gain father should be free.
The box slipped from her grasp and the original article, and pretend she’s
The whole party of friends of
Over the way. In Section B, Lydia !
her bed unquestioned. But as she
vent to the floor with a bump, spilling been Jockied like one o'clock. Mind
Mrs.
Merrilees
get
the
surprise
found
Mrs.
Beggarstaff,
surrounded
moved toward it in darkness the Dow-
ts trashy contents, and Mrs. Merri- you, I don't say she has done that ; but
ef their lives when the customs
ager Dragon suddenly switched on the by an array of luggage to do credit
ees flopped Incontinently to a con- the little devil's got it In her.”
inspectors make a certain dis-
lights and lifted from her pillow an to an army corps, light of battle in |
renient trunk — Lydia’s ready arm
"I don’t believe you!”
covery. It's all told In the next
ndignant head framed In a nightcap, her eyes, words of bitter wit upon her 1
“There!” Peter complained. “Now
round her shoulders.
installment.
ready
lips,
in
pitched
combat
with
a
the most coquettishly beribboned Imag
"But, my dear!” Betty wailed. "It’s you’re sore. Didn't I tell you the other
graceless skeptic of an Inspector.
inable.
perfectly preposterous!"
day the foolishest thing a chap, could
Near by, three dock porters, two ship
(TO BE CONTINUED.)
"Well ?" she demanded tartly. "Where
The appraiser looked at once bored do was to take things seriously, es
newsmen,
half
a
dozen
assorted
citi-
have you been, if you please?”
tnd dubious. Peter Traft batted be- pecially out loud?”
Fox Worried by Food Problem.
Lydia showed her a countenance in- sens, and a brace of customs apprais
“You’re—horrid !”
It is not often that the sly fox re wildered eyes, then with a helpful air
nocent of any trace of guile. “On ers whose duties were immediate and
The adjective was childish ; but
picked up the box and replaced its
leek," she said quietly, removing her elsewhere, hung In breathless Interest veals to man his method of securing
ran tents. The inspector swung sharp- Lydia wasn't in a mood to search for
cloak with Its sprinkling of moisture upon the issue of the fray, one and all his daily rations ; so that men of Can
e more dignified. She turned a frosty
ton Centre. Conn., who were hauling y round and made off, with every evi-
that glittered like diamond dust. "The grinning broadly.
oulder to the young man; but the
Lydia gathered an impression that logs were quite surprised recently to lence of inspired haste, toward a dis
foghorn, you know—and I wasn't
seed of suspicion had been planted in
sleepy, anyway. It's wonderful ont the Dowager Dragon had found a foe see a large red fox on the hillside only tant quarter of the pier.
"Let
me
think!
”
Mrs.
Merrilees
said
the mind of one who couldn't forget
about
ten
rods
from
the
team.
He
was
there, so still and dark nnd nncanny. man worthy of her steel ; then hurried
how lightly Betty bad confessed to
You'd think almost anything could hap- on to Section M and Betty Merrilees. not the least bit disturbed. Suddenly n a stifled voice. Indenting her lower
Greeting Lydia serenely, this last he leaped into the air and pounced lip with a knuckle, she fastened an prior exploits in the gentlewomanly
pen, and no one be the wiser.”
resumed her conversation with her as onto the show. This operation was re- abstracted stare on the polished tips art of smuggling, and her laughing con
fession that nothing but sheer fright
signed inspector. “You'll find every peated several times, the fox jump- >f her shoes.
CHAPTER IX.
Lydia, at a loss, found nothing to would prevent her attempting again to
thing dutiable In the hat trunk and Ing several feet Into the air each time.
outwit the custom house.
“Good old town !" said Peter Traft that big dresser trunk over there— He was doubtless trying to break say. She couldn’t decently express
And even while this memory was
:00
great
concern
over
the
disappear-
through
the
crust
and
catch
the
mice
Removing his hat. he saluted Town the two upper trays—the receipted
with grave and affectionate respect. bills In the first tray—*11 except— which he heard burrowing under the ance of something that had been dedi troubling her the affair took a turn to
“Graft and all, it’s one human young necklace. I have that here,” she In snow. The hard, deep snow makea It cated to her on her wedding day— fix doubt of Betty firmly in Lydia’s
dicated the metal box in her hands, much harder for the foxes to catch the however remote that event. Yet she mind.
zity !"
It began with the return of the In
little animals except when they are was gravely if unintelligibly dis-
Intuition enabled Lydia to interpret “and the bill as well."
•Thanks. Mrs. Merrilees." The In running for cover.—Hartford Courant tressed. Beneath her ready sympathy spector. accompanied by the custom
this utterance as the Invocation to the
stirred a qualm of peculiar uneasiness. bouse official in charge of the pier—a
many of your tried but true Manhat- spector looked up from her declara
Distracted by the rumble of men's middle-aged man. this one, with a
Carrier
Swift
Flyer.
tion
in
futile
attempt
to
maintain
his
(TO be CONTINUED.)
lenite.
It is estimated that tn calm weather voices, she looked up. to find that rather consequential manner, gold-
The Alsatia waa trudging sedately official imperturbability; then his eyes
rimmed
eyeglasses,
and
a
not
unkindly
Quoin
had
added
himself
to
the
group
up the bay from the Narrows, Quaran twinkled In a network of wrinkles. a carrier pigeon can fly at the rate at
and was studiously attending to Pe- expression.
“Some men treats deir country an'
tine ten minutes astern. New York His Ups twitched, and he grinned out- 1,200 yarda a minute ; with the help of
"Mrs. Merrilees, I beUever he asked deir families de same way," said Uncle
a moderate wind It will attain a speed tec's account of the counterfeit collar.
looming over the port bow through a right.
Their eyes met presently, and Lydia with much urbanity.
Eben. “Dey loves ’em. but dey doesn’
“That’s all very well.” said the lady of 1.540 yards, and before a strong
tenderly irisated haze In whose illu-
case much "bout workin’ for ’em.”
was surprised by the look he bent upon
Pea it became a city of mother-of- Impudently. “Laugh if you like I But wind 2,000 yards.
CHAPTER VIII—Continued.