Page:Harris Dickson--Old Reliable in Africa.djvu/65

 never noticed her—which was quite insulting. Distinctly she caught Torreale's words, "Seven hundred and eighty-five dollars." Then she called out, "Torreale! Reifenstein! my dear Count, come here. You stupid, stupid creatures to talk about money. How vulgar, when I am giving a benefit to-night."

The three men bent over and listened politely until Reifenstein heard Zack say, "Yas'm, me an' Cunnel sojered durin' the whole entire war. An' sence den us been together all de time—continual—continual. Mos' in generally us hunts."

"The Colonel is a good shot, I suppose?" suggested Miss Stanton.

"Good shot? Did you say 'Good shot'? Sholy, Miss, you is heerd 'bout Cunnel's shootin'?"

Reifenstein did not intend a rudeness to Signorina Aurora, nor did Torreale; and Castelleone, who had followed her over three continents, had no thought of being ungallant. But all three turned from the lady and listened to the negro.

Zack sidled around until he could watch the door so that the Colonel wouldn't catch him; then took the bridles off his imagination and roamed through the gory fields of Spottiswoode's hunting exploits with specifications of certain marvelous shots. The three expectant duelists shivered as they listened, for Zack did his best.