Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1898-04-23

covers, and Mt o'clock had been Joined
by the gentler members, who had driven
TO keepers lodge, armed with numerous
baskets and hampers whcrewith to allay
the pangs Of hunger of the mighty hunt
ers.
Charming evening for a walk" said
Mr.. kits, frightening visibly under Saw
ages suggestion. Lady Lucy, head our
list of patrons and our procession, too,
through the melancholy twilight Of the
lonely wood"
They all paired of presently, except
Marvel, unfortunately, who bad stayed
to say . word or two to Lady Lucy and
help the children into the carriage, the
youngest Of whom had conceived a vio-
lent fancy for her. and could be induced
to enter the waiting landau only through
a mistaken and carefully fostered idea
that she was to enter II with him. When
this latest Of her devoted adherents was
safely locked up, she turned to find that
all the others Of the party had already
started ahead. and that Nigel Savage
alone remained to accompany her. She
flushed visibly; and Savage at once came
to the conclusion that she was annoyed at
being thus irremediably thrown upon his
hands. He was wrong, however. She
gave him no thought, all her girlish, jeal-
Gus heart being oppressed with the fear
that Wriothcsley was with Mrs. Scarlet.
She caught Savage's eye and smiled kind.
" at him.
I'VE shall have to rum" she said. point.
Ing to the group fast disappearing round
q corner In the distance, III we mean to
catch them up. II We don't, We shall prob
ably lose ourselves. like the Babes In the
Wood as neither Of us knows much
about the country here"
I'VE are too near home to get very
much lost" said he; 'and, as long as they
give up lead, even at 30 great a die.
lance, we shall ut all events be sure .
come In at last, II only as bad third"
When they reached the corner, how.
ever, there was no sign Of the others. Two
paths lay before them, one running a IT,
tie to the left. where verulam ought to
have lain; and In both there was sharp
bend a good deal further on which would
have hidden the advance party II they
had gained II. Savage stood still and
looked perplcxed.
Rapid people" he said at last, with
rather amused laugh. II think they
might at least have given us q passing
thought"
This must be the path" said Marvel.
lam lies over there"
Then ran across the grass. and pres.
emily found themselves opposite to q
worm.eaten old door studded with huge
Iron nails and with rusty key In the
lock. After using considerable force, this
key was induced TO turn; the door open.
ed with astonishing suddenness, as II
loose on its hinges, and they stepped inside
q dark passage that smelled Of moldering
leaves and the dust Of centuries gone by
1t was very dark. No light came from
any ground.Aoor windows. for the simple
reason that there were none; but faint
ray or two stole down the circular stair.
case that led to chamber above lighted
BY some long narrow openings In the walls
barely wide enough to let a mans body
slip sideways through them.
'Isn't It funnyY" said Marvel, who wa,
plainly delighted with It. II wonde,
what 10 upstairs"
She ran lightly up the worn stone step,
and stood at the top looking around her Il
the uncertain light. 1t was semi.circu
lar apartment. with stone floor and {
huge wide fireplace facing the stairs. I
was a small hall rather than room. n
there was no door TO II, and only broken
rudely formed parapct ran from the tel
Of the stairs to the wall behind TO pre-
vent the unwnry from falling over Int
the abyss beneath.
Zone feels ~ though one had just step
ped Into another age" said Marvel, look
Ing eagerly round her.
"A dark one" said Savage.
"What . shame to take no notice OF d
interesting plscsi A very little though
and trouble would transform II int
something unique. An oak chair there
q table here. a roaring fire, a."
"A few window.panes," suggested Sav
ngc.
"Tut--you arc too prosaic! Well, In tn
summer then! Could you fancy q cool
era more calm retreat? Not fly TO nv
gravatc one, not sound to disturb"
Al that moment there came soun,
from below loud enough to wake tn
Seven Slecpcrs. 1t was an absolute ban
that seemed to shake the tower to II
foundations, and made both Its occupant
start.
$50 much for your calm retreat" sal
Savage, with q rather nervous laugh-h
had good reason TO feel nervous!
"What was thatY exclaimed Marvel.
Sounded like door. didn't itr' sas
he. with a carefully careless air.
When he got below he found his wors
fears confirmed. The heavy old door ha
swung back, Obedient TO some gust @
wind. and, shutting with considerable
: force, had shot the lock into Its place
"Well," cried the clear. sweet vOlc
above, ''are you going to spend the ret
OF our short time below there? See
here II such q Cupboard"
''Such q delicious little hiding.hOle!
cried she. standing near the tiny reces
she had discovered In the wall. "Ju'
large enough to hold a few choice cur
and saucers, and--Oh, by the bye, tall
Ing of cups, ] expect we shall lose gu
J tea II We don't make haste! COme-l'
us gO!
"Well. that's just It," said he. slowl!
: his eyes fixed on the ground. his mannt
really wonderfully unconcerned. "rt
fact II, we can't!"
"Whnt!"
"That sOlid old oak door you admire
!. 20 much few minutes ago has played I
] a rather unkind trick. 1t has shut itse
:. mp SO tight that. like sterne's startling
: we can't get out"
"Oh, II can't be truew she said, hastil,
: '"rhere must be some way Of inducing
to open. A sudden shake may do II. ID
= you try?"
IT did, with all my might; but nothir
: came of IT,"
: A shrill wind xyos rising Now In 4