will dance on the roof. When I give you the nod, just take
your cornet, sneak up on the roof and blow a hole through him, will
you?"

"I will thet;" and Hunch jerked his head in a way that showed he
intended to ventilate Satan effectively.

When Bill returned to the musician's stand, Blind Benner, who knew the
mood that was upon his master, asked the privilege of playing second
fiddle for the devil's dance.

"Sorry, Benner, but Old Nick wouldn't have it. He will dance to but one
fiddle, and insists that I shall play it. And if he don't get his dance
to-night, he will give me an ague that quinine won't cure."

Blind Benner looked sad. Hunch was given the privilege of driving Satan
away; but he could not extend to his teacher, tortured into playing for
the demoniacal dance, the sympathy of an accompanying violin. With a
sigh, he twanged the strings of his violin to learn if they were in
tune.

The last dance was a Virginia Reel. With Colonel Hornberger as a
partner, Lizzi took the head to lead off.

When the reel was finished, the guests prepared to leave.

"Not yet," shouted Bill. "Don't go yet. Seats, everybody, and we will
have a jig by the devil."

A shiver passed over the guests, and they remained standing in groups.

Bill, who was tuning his violin, seemed to have been suddenly
transformed. A demon seemed to have taken possession of him. His look
was wild, and his eagerness to play almost a frenzy. Before he put the
instrument under his chin he unstopped his ears. Immediately, when his
bow crossed the strings, he gave himself up to a delirium of melody. His
eyes glared, and his body swayed. His auditors were frightened into
silence. However, Hunch was self-possessed, and held his horn ready to
perforate Satan with a blast from it. Blind Benner wept silently.

Finally Bill nodded, and Hunch hastened from the porch. A minute after
he entered the Block, a discordant blast from the roof broke the spell,
restored the player to his senses, and relieved the others, who to this
day declare that they distinctly heard the cloven hoof keeping time to
the music on the shingles.

On his way home Bill muttered:

"What infernal business had Old Nick at Lizzi's party?"

In after-time he knew.

CHAPTER II.

GILL ELECTS A SQUIRE.

John Gillfillan was chief clerk at the furnace store. Upon him was the
entire responsibility of its management; to him was given the sole
charge of its business. Colonel Hornberger w