Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-06-15
CHAPTER XI.

kindly incrcduiify, what could l do? Only
ASSERT what had asserted nlready-that 1t
WIS undoubtedly Clarence, and that be-
fore ~ hours elapsed they would have
proof Of my words.
At mention of this possibility Master
Bcrtic looked up. He had left tho main
part in the discussion TO others, but now
he interviewed "Onc moment" he said.
Take it that the lad is right, Master
Lindstrom. Is there any precaution we
can adopt, any back door, SO to speak, we
can Keep open, in case Of an attempt to ar
rest us being made? What would DO tho
line Of our retreat to Wescl:'
The river" replied the Dutchmnn
promptly.
And the boats arc all ut the landing
stagei"
''Thcy arc, and for that reason they arc
useless in en- emergency" our host an:
swcrcd thoughtfully. knowing tho
place, any ono sent to surprise and arrest
us would secure them first and the bridge
Then they would have us In trap. 1t
might be well to take a boat round and
moor 1t in the little creek in tho farther
orchard" ho added, rising. 1T is a good
idea, Mt any rate. will go and do it."
He went out, leaving us four-tho duch
css, her husband, Ammo and mysolf-sit-
ting round tho lamp.
If Master Carey is SO certain that it
was Clarence" my lady began, Il think
he ought to-
Yes, Kate!" her husband said. She
had paused and seemed to bo listening.
Ought To open that letter ho has.' she
continued impctuously. Il have no doubt
it Is n letter to Clarence. Now the rogue
has como on the scene again the lads
scruplcs ought not to stand in the way.
They are all nonsense. The letter may
throw some light on the bishops schemes
and Clarcnce's presence here, and 1t should
be read. That is what think"
What doyou say, Carey?" her husband
asked us l kept silence. lis not that rca-
sonablc?'
Sitting with my elbows on the table,
twisted and UNFINISHED tho fingers of my
claspcd hands, gazing ut them tho while as
though inspiration might come Of them.
What was to do? knew that the thrcc
pairs Of eyes were upon inc, and the knowl-
edge distracted me and prevented mo
really thinking, though / seemed to be
thinking so hard. well" burst out Mt
last, tho circumstances arc certainly al
tered. 1 SEQ no reason why should not
Crash!
stopped, uttcring an exclamation, and
we all sprang to our feet "Oh, what
pity" tho duchess cried, clasping her
hands. You clumsy, clumsy girl! What
have you donc?''
Mistress Annc's sleeve as she turned
had swept from tho table n Florcntinc
jug, one of Master Lindstrom's greatest
treasures, and it lay n dozen fragments
on the floor. We stood and looked at it,
the duchess i'm anger, Master Berthe and
I in comic dismay. The girls lip tromblcd,
and he turned quite white rs she coatcm-
plated the ruin she had caused.
well, you have dono 1t now!'' the
duchess said pitilcssly. What woman
could ever overlook clumsincss in another
woman! 1T only remains to pick up
the pieces, miss. II man had done it
but, there, pick up tho pieces. You will
have to make your tale good to Master
Lindstrom aftcrwnrd.
/ went down on my knees and helped
Anne, the annoyance her incrcdulity had
caused me forgotten. She was 50 shaken
, that heard the bits Of ware in her hand
clattcr together. When We had picked
up all, even to the smallest piece, rose,
and tho duchess returned to the former
subject. "You will open this letter, them"
shr said. II sec you will. Then the soon
or the better. Have you got it about
you,''
mo, 1t Is In my bedroom" 7 answered.
II held IL away there, and must fetch
1t. But do You think continued. paus.
ing rs I opened the door for Mistress Anne
to go out with her double handful of frag-
mcnts, lit is absolutely necessary to read
it, my ladyi"
Most certainly" she answered, sravely
nodding with each syllable, Il think so. !
will tc responsible" Ard Master BERTHE
nodded also.
so he it, said reluctantly. And !
was about to leave the room to fetch the
letter, my bedroom bein. In n different
part nj the house, only connected with tic
main building by covered passage.
when our host returned. II T., told us that
bc had removed n boot and stoid
awhile 10 bear II he had an-thiny to re
sort, and tkcn. finding he had not, went
ont to go to my room, shutting the dool
behind me.
Tho PASSAGE I have mentioned, which
vas merely formct, Of rough planks. wa.
wy dark. At the nearer end was the foot
of the staircase lending 10 the upner rooms
Farther along was a door i'm the side open
ing into the car,ien. Going straivh. cut O.