There
was nothing eventful in our talk as we came down the mountain-side
towards Viking--Justine Caron's presence prevented that. It was dusk when
we reached the valley. As yet the mills were all dark. The only lights
visible were in the low houses lining the banks of the river. Against the
mountainside there seemed to hang one bunch of flame like a star, large,
red, and weird. It was a torch burning in front of Phil Boldrick's hut.
We made our way slowly to the mill, and found Mr. Devlin, Ruth, and
Roscoe, with Ruth's sister, and one or two other friends, expecting us.
"Well," said Mr. Devlin heartily, "I have kept the show waiting for you.
The house is all dark, but I guess you'll see a transformation scene
pretty quick. Come out," he continued, "and let us get the front seats.
They are all stalls here; nobody has a box except Boldrick, and it is up
in the flies."
"Mr. Devlin," said Mrs. Falchion, "I purpose to see this show not only
from the stalls, but from the box in the flies. Therefore, during the
first act, I shall be here in front of the foot-lights. During the second
act I shall be aloft like Tom Bowling--"
"In other words--" began Mr.
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