These twins have command of their mutual legs turn
about. Count Luigi is in command now; but at
midnight, possession will pass to my principal. Count
Angelo, and — well, you can foresee what will hap-
pen. He will march straight off the field, and carry
Luigi with him.*'

••Why! sure enough!" cried the Judge, •*we
have heard something about that extraordinary law
of their being, already — nothing very definite, it is
true, as regards dates and durations of power, but I
see it is definite enough as regards to-night. Of
course we must give Luigi every chance. Omit all
the ceremonial possible, gentlemen, and place us in
position."

The seconds at once tossed up a coin; Howard
won the choice. He placed the Judge sixty feet
from the haunted house and facing it ; Wilson placed
the twins within fifteen feet of the house and facing
the Judge — necessarily. The pistol-case was opened
and the long slim tubes taken out ; when the moon-
light glinted from them a shiver went through
Angelo. The doctor was a fool, but a thoroughly
well-meaning one, with a kind heart and a sincere
disposition to oblige, but along with it an absence of
tact which often hurt its effectiveness. He brought
his box of lint and bandages, and asked Angelo to
feel and see how soft and comfortable they were.
Digitized by VjOOQ IC



Those Extraordinary Twins 297

Angelo*s head fell over against Luigi's in a faint,
and precious time was lost in bringing him to;
which provoked Luigi into expressing his mind to
the doctor with a good deal of vigor and frankness.
After Angelo came to he was still so weak that
Luigi was obliged to drink a stiff horn of brandy to
brace him up.
