New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-23
CHAPTER IL

Tnncbeon that day WAS an excessively gloomy
affair." the lawyer racked his brains ior c0hN }tsd-
ton, but for once could find none: The slrlS
were silent and without appetite The sight Of
Cyrirs vacant Lace chOked Helen. pr. Nesl-
brook ate his cold lamb and salad with 9S'enta1
tIouS affectation Of enjoyment. put oIu DoIu
could easily discern. he carried news 10 inc
servants hall that things was coming TO a
head"
Ferrers for fcw moments said Mr. west,
brook when, having finished, he got up ana
pushed his chair from him: and as the TWO Wens
thither, Helen following her sister with ANXIOUS
eyes, John Foster longing TO be by her, perhaps
all four felt little easier than the lonely young
culprlt locked up in the library. ..i.,,o.,,- 20
He TO tell the truth, was not particularly 70
be piticd Having firm faith in his sister, he
resigned all thought of the future to her, ana
with the wisdom OF his few years. was now eN-
ercsing himself the burning topic OF the mo-
ment, T. c., how to give his lailer the sip w,
=" There you stop ill let you out" Mr.. west
brook had said A boastful cockcrow that went
sorely against Squirrels grain. Into durahce we
he had gone cheerfuly at Olives asking, BUT
out Of it he fully meant to get without leave Of
any Mr. Westbrook. For means u this end he
now systematically set himself searching. ~
The door fast, no question about that ne
broke his penknife in 1utle ATTEMPT 70 sup tne
suggested itself as the next best means oil exit.
Unfortunately that was full nine feet from the
ground, the Grange front being well raised o'tr
a line Of cellars, and, although the drop was
nothing TO boy Of his weight, an antl-burShnous
row of posts with triple well-spiked chains offered
serious objections 10 tulS Oh w
was to be done? Squirrel planted himself III the
middle of his prison and eyed his surroundings m
terrogatively In front was that nnprIncucn as
window: behind HIM every inch OF wall except
the door-space lined with close packed shelyes
of books-the same with the whole wall on ms
right hand Opposite this was the VIDE, quaint
tiled hearth under the shallow. hgh-shoulder'd
chimney piece one side Of the fireplace small
door opened into tiny book-rOom, when Aunt
Pleasnnce used to call her sanctum; on The other
side stood bookcase of four feet hlgh above
which hung a picture Of the last Squire west
brook in q pigtail and bright blue coat ,
As his quick glance took all in. his cell looked
perfectly iron-bound, and Squirrels heart sank
within him. Must he. after all, stop there IKE
rat in trap, but TO be Jet out by that odl0us,
overbearing monster. Mr. Westbrook? Was there
no chink he could edge himself out by, no loop
hole he could wrigele through? Yes! JOY there
was. OF. happcst Of happy Thoughts what
about the chimney?
Those smoky tunnels at the Grange were none
but ample, generous ar passages, running boldly
up from basement TO roof. Cyril knew all about
them He had personally inspected the interior
of one when workmen had been repairing the
many-cornercd stacks above. and had safely
worked his way down TO Olives own bedroom.
Now if he could only voyage upward from the
library cat-like range the tiles, and descend
again by the old route what capital Joke IT
would lie Quick as thought Cyril stepped on
the stout bars of the crate and cautiously IN
serted head and shoulders up. the inlSy entrance
Hurrah He could see bit OF blue SKY hgh up
ascent brick jutting conveniently here ana
there lent friendly help. lie had 10 gropc along
with closed eyes, for bits Of mortar and lltue
nests Of disturbed SCOT pepperlng about him.
Careful and crab-liSe he hauled himself safely
up Ill nigh the level OF the library ceiling Then
he nearly came 10 grief
He seemed TO have got beautiful fo9thoId on
q brick two whsn he suddenly slipped. Down
the othes-SSs somehow. preserving his balance