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"His shadowy figure made a mocking gesture."
MY ACQUAINTANCE with Jean Lafitte, in the beginning, was of the most casual nature. In short, my household was one of a considerable number that maintained the prosperity of his really excellent grocery.
When, shortly after the removal of my residence to New Orleans, I discovered the name of the grocer with whom my wife had established trade, it impressed me as being singularly unsuited to his occupation. As a matter of fact, I thought it ridiculous that any commonplace career should appeal to one who bore the name, and who, my wife informed me, claimed descent of, that olden Robin Hood of Barataria.
I am possessed of a romantic streak which even the exigencies of modern business have not been entirely able to overcome, and for some time this led me into the habit of personally settling my monthly account at Lafitte's.
I was not disappointed with Lafitte's personal appearance, for he proved to be a small, courtly-mannered individual, with excellently modeled head and features. A slightly swarthy complexion but served to set off his fine eyes to better advantage, although I observed a touch of pathos in their depths, and an expression of faintly bitter resignation, which I then could not account for. I had the explanation, some time aft-
