Part 25 (1/2)

”That? Oh--that was merely my little experiment; that is my secret for the present, and I trust you not to mention it But no one has toldout of the balloon”

”It was aexperio and tell hied every minute, and it makes hi would bring him luck”

Grizzel sped off on her mission She knocked at the dark-room door

”Please put an ear at the keyhole--I have important news”

An ear was promptly at her disposal She did not ask whose, but went on:

”The murdered man has come, and he isn't in the least dead And his blood wasn't blood, only his experiiving Hugh as hard as he can, and there were two miracles, and I told you so!”

There was a an to sing ”God save the King”, which seen of the moment was a queen; but no one noticed, and the main point was that soed, Hugh very pale and shaky as he went to meet his supposed victim Indeed, for a moment he was incapable of speech, and Jerry, who knew only too hat it felt like to have a lu in his throat just when he wanted to be most manly and soldier-like, filled up ould have been an aard pause by saying anything that cah had recovered hian, as he shook hands with the young man, whose name they now learnt was Desht,” Mr O'Rourke interrupted, ”we all have to learn lessons now and then--I've learnt soraphs turning out?”

”Very well, thank you Would you like to couson's is the best portrait I have done yet” Hugh recovered from his emotion as he spoke, but he was still very pale

Mr O'Rourke accepted the invitation with alacrity ”We can exchange experiences,” he said ”I am curious to knohat the experiment was that so nearly bowled me out But first Iout of an inner pocket and held it out to Grizzel As the dialeaht believe it was alive!”

Mr O'Rourke exclaiht not to have a jewel like that to play pitch-and-toss with; someone should keep it for you”

”I wear it roundthe neckband of her overall and showing a slender chain of finely wrought gold She took it off and slung the ring on

”I have one alh observed, as they watched Grizzel, ”butsoe--”

”O bay o' Dublin, ave a violent start--but it was only Bridget singing in the kitchen

Mr O'Rourke turned his head and listened ”Who coet, our nurse when Baby is here and our cook just now,”

Prudence answered ”She's feeling homesick She does so time since I've seen the bay o' Dublin I azed earnestly at Mr O'Rourke Was _he_ Aunt Mary's long- ago lover? No--he was too old He must be twenty-two at least But she felt al to do with that ro good-bye, their new friend pulled a round white stone out of one of his ive it to you?” he asked Hugh

There was a curious silence as the children gathered round to gaze at the innocent-looking missile in Mr O'Rourke's hand It was little the worse of its adventure--slightly chipped and scratched, and on one side an oain, as it rehtlessness had cost a life

”Give it to me,” he said at last ”I rite the date on it, and if it doesn't re will, and I will _deserve_ to be hanged”

”Very well,” agreed Mr O'Rourke, ”only remember that the red stain is only what I told you it was”