The Amateur Gentleman

"Vich, seeing as you're a pal, sir, I vill. But, sir," continued

Mr. Shrig, as Barnabas scribbled certain instructions for Peterby on

a page of his memorandum, "vot about yourself--you ain't a-going

back there, are ye?" and he jerked his thumb over his shoulder

towards the barn, now some distance behind them.

"Of course," said Barnabas, "to keep my appointment."

"D'ye think it's safe--now?"

"Quite,--thanks to you," answered Barnabas. "Here is the note, and

if you wish, John Peterby will drive you back to London with him."

"V'y, thank'ee sir,--'e shall that,--but you, now?" Mr. Shrig paused,

and, somewhat diffidently drew from his side pocket a very

business-like, brass-bound pistol, which he proffered to Barnabas,

"jest in case they should 'appen to come back, sir," said he.

But Barnabas laughingly declined it, and shook his chubby hand

instead.

"Vell," said Mr. Shrig, pocketing note and weapon, "you're true game,

sir, yes, game's your breed, and I only 'ope as you don't give me a

case--though good murder cases is few and far between, as I've told

you afore. Good-by, sir, and good luck."

So saying, Mr. Shrig nodded, touched the broad rim of his castor,

and strode away through the gathering shadows.

And when he was gone, and the sound of his going had died away in

the distance, Barnabas turned and swiftly retraced his steps; but

now he went with fists clenched, and head forward, as one very much

on the alert.

Evening was falling and the shadows were deepening apace, and as he

went, Barnabas kept ever in the shelter of the trees until he saw

before him once more, the desolate and crumbling barn of Oakshott.

For a moment he paused, eyeing its scarred and battered walls

narrowly, then, stepping quickly forward, entered the gloomy doorway

and, turning towards a certain spot, started back before the

threatening figure that rose up from the shadows.

"Ah! So you 've c-come at last, sir!" said Barrymaine, steadying

himself against the wall with one hand while he held the pistol

levelled in the other, "ins-stead of the weak s-sister you find the

avenging brother! Been waiting for you hours. C-cursed dreary hole

this, and I fell asleep, but--"

"Because you were drugged!" said Barnabas.

"D-drugged, sir! W-what d' you mean?"

"Chichester drugged the brandy--"

"Chichester?"

"He meant to murder me while you slept and fix the crime on you--"

"Liar!" cried Barrymaine, "you came here to meet my s-sister, but

instead of a defenceless girl you meet me and I'm g-going to settle

with you--once and for all--t-told you I would, last time we met.

There's another pistol in the c-case yonder--pick it up and t-take

your ground."

"Listen to me," Barnabas began.

"N-not a word--you're going to fight me--"