Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-01-05
CHAPTER III

Luncheon that day was an excessively gloomy
affair; the lawyer racked his brains for CONVEX
sation, but for once could hnd none. The girls
were silent and without appetite. The sight Of
Cyrirs vacant place choked Helen. Mr.. West
brook ate his cold lamb and salad with ostenra-
tious affectation Of enjoyment But old Bond
could easily discern, as he carried news to the
servants hall. that things was coming to a
head"
''Pll trouble you in the drawing-room, Miss
Ferrers, for q few moments" said Mr. West
brook, when, having finished, he got ND and
pushed his chair from him; and as the two went
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
culpit locked up in the library.
he, TO tell the truth, was not particularly to
be pitied. Having firm faith in his sister. he
resigned all thought of the future to her, and.
with the wisdom of his few years, was not ex,
ercising himself on the burning topic of the
moment, i. e.. how to give his jaiier the slip!
There you stop till / let you out" Mr.. West.
sorelly against Squirrels grain. Into durance
vile he had gone cheerfully at Olives asking,
but out OF it he fully meant to get without leave
OF any Mr.. Westbrook. For means to this end
he now systematically set himself searching.
Inc door was fast, no question about that,
He broke his penknife in futile ATTEMPT to
slip the lock, and then gave it up. Naturally
the window suggested itself as the next best
means OF exit. Unfortunately that was fnll
nine feet from the ground, the Grange front
being we'll raised over line of cellars, and.
aitnGugh the drop was nothing to boy Of his
weight, an AUTHORIZATIONS row of posts with
triple well-spiked chains offered serious obiec.
tions to this manner of escape. What was 70
be done? Squirrel planted himself in the
middle of his prison and eyed his surroundings
interrogat,vely; In front was that impracti-
cable window; behind him every inch Of wall
except the door-space was lined with close
packed shelves Of books--the same with the
whole wall on his right hand. Opposite this
was the wide, .quaint-tiled hearth under the
shallow, high-shouldered chimney-piece
one side OF the fireplace a small door opened
into tiny book-room, which Aunt Pleasance
used to call her sanctum; on the other side
stood bookcase OF four feet high, above which
hung picture of the last Squire Westbrook IN
pigtsil and bright blue coat.
AZ his quick glance took all in, his cell
heart sank within him. Must he. after ali. stor
there like rat in trap, but to be let out by
that odious, overbearing monster. Mr.. West.
brook? Was there no chink he could edge him
s ssi out y, no i0oPhole he could wigsle
s19iSongns Yes! Joy! there was? oh, happies
Those smoky tunnels at the Grange were
none OF your screwed-up, be-fued modern con
tivances, but ample, generous air passapes
running boldly up from basement to roof
Cyril knew all about them. He had personally
inspected the interior of one when vorkmeY
had been repairing the many-cornered stsckl
above, and had safely worked his way down z
Olives own bedroom. Now il he could oni,
voyage upward from the library, cat-like rangs
the tiles, and descend again by the old route
what capital joke it would be. Quick a,
thought Cyril stepped ON the stout bars Of III,
| CRATE and cautiously inserted head and shoulder
up the inky entrance. Hurrahi He could zee |
bit OF blue sky high up aloft. Nimble q hi
namesake he began the ascent. A brick juttin1
He had to grope along with closed eyes, 70
bits OF mortar and little nests Of disturbed 800
came peppering about him. Careful and crab
IKE he hauled htmseH safsly up III nigh q,