I
shall probably sit here on the porch and think until daylight. Then I'll
call Hazelton, and go to bed for a few hours' sleep before I appear in
court against the gamblers and the bootleggers. Go to bed, Nicolas, and
sleep! That's an order, remember!"
The Mexican therefore went to his bedroom without protest. Presently Reade
became aware of the fact that his clothing had not by any means fully
dried. He went to his room, took a vigorous rub-down, donned dry clothing,
and then went out on the porch.
Though the night was dark the air was delicious. The combined odors of
many flowers came in on the faintly stirring breeze.
Tom leaned back in a chair, his feet on the porch railing. His senses
lulled by the quiet and repose of the night he was in danger of falling
asleep.
Of a sudden he came to with a start. Off among the trees to the eastward,
near the road, a human being was stirring.
Reade rose, moving swiftly back more into the shadow. Then he watched,
every sense alert. Yes; some one was moving, out there amid the trees.
What he could not see, Tom discovered by his acute sense of hearing.
"I'll put a hot pebble in that fellow's bonnet, whoever he is!" Tom
muttered vengefully.
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