Mrs. Bob: A Novel — page 57: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE GIRL WHO DARED. 49 building where the southwest breeze strikes it, have come toa halt. They bend low and talk in whispers; their very actions proclaim their motives dishonor- able, for men who are bent upon reputable business do not creep around and whisper together at such an hour of the night. Now they seem to be engaged in some work that requires united action; a portion of the long, wooden piazza lies here, and they seem to be drawing something out, something that is not unlike dried grass, and which crackles as they press it into a pile. Pemberton’s suspicions were positively true, then; these rascals, bent on mischief, are for destroying Hawk’s Nest. He feels the blood boil in his veins with indigna- tion; it is a crime that merits severe punishment any- where, and in this western country death would be the penalty inflicted: should a man be caught in the act. Then he remembers that there is another in the eame, and wonders what action she will take, for he has made up his mind as to the identity of the figure ahead. It is soon known. A crackling sound is heard, a sound that can be made uncer no other conditions than when a match is drawn over a rough surface. Then a light flashes up, proving that such a condition of affairs exists. The light gives away the whole business, and Bob Pemberton sees a pile of dead grass, with two human forms bending over it; even their faces are exposed, though strange to him. COMIIGcsooks (C@ iim