Mrs. Bob: A Novel — page 275: what you’re looking at

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

“HE LAUGHS LOUDEST WHO LAUGHS LAST.” 267 ‘‘Hleven o’clock, sir.”? “Well, cast your eye over this document, and note its contents, handing hima paper, and flashing a sneering glance at the conspirators, who immediately show signs of confusion, and look at each other with alarm written on their faces. ‘It revokes the order given for the arrest of one Squire Gordon, and makes it null,’’ says the intel- ligent officer. ‘fAnd the hour ?”’ ‘Two p. M. of this day.”? Monsieur Merle shrugs his shoulders in a way that plainly signifies he is done with the game; he means to wash his hands of it. As for Colonel Cornelius, he utters a groan; itis so exasperating to come so near and yet fail. ‘With this later order of the court in your hands, officer, what is your duty ?’’ asks Craig. ‘To release the prisoner,’’ promptly. Craig turns to the doctor, and lifting the lapel of — his coat, shows his badge of authority. “Order your dogs of war off, doctor, or, by the powers! I’ll land every mother’s son of you in the Tombs.”’ The doctor, having seen a great light, wilts. “Tt is done, sir. Mistakes will happen, you know, even in the best regulated families, and I realize that I have made one here. Accept my apologies. Men, we will take our departure.’’ | He bows politely to Ruth and her daughter, still clasped in one another’s arms, and leaves the great vestibule of the music hall. ee Gomicbookssco im