Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1898-11-07
Continued.

The paSSerS-by stared at the strange
couple standing at the entrance to the
town, and seeing this and feeling
Alices weight grow heavier on his
arm, he turned to a policeman.
us there hotel handy" he asked,
grasping the diamonds tightly. my
wife is ILL.,"
"Cne just here, sir" the man an
swered kindly "Shall [ give you a
hand? It's only e, STEP
The hotel proved to be up quiet
court, and Count Jura slipped shil-
ling into the mans hand, put Alice
into a chair while he ordered a room.
I'VE are going to Dorchester, lie
said. "ShalI only require it for an hour
or so for my wife to rest. She is not
strong"
The landlady and two sympathetic
maids helped Alice upstairs, and he
followed closely in case she should
speak to them.
She made no effort to do this-in-
deed, she had lost all knowledge of
whao was passing.
The landlady was loud in her pity.
You can't move her, sir" she de-
clared "She is just done-she is very
ILL.,"
Pooh! nonsense! She is often like
that In fact"-he hesitated an in
slant, then said boldly, Gin fact, she
is not quite right in her head, so, of
course, she looks strange"
''Lor', sir! you do astonish mel"
exclaimed the woman. $50 sweet and
pretty, tool"
''Yes-yes. Bring me something
to eat, and a Bradshaw. We must
get to Bornchester by tonight"
III send you one at once, but the
next train, sir, know doesn't start
till nigh evening"
Count Jura Suppressed the oath he
was uttering till she was gone.
That's devilish unlucky, but it
strikes me she's just about right in
one thing-my Lady Alice is going to
be i'll. Have l frightened her TOO
much? It will be fix if she can't be
moved. Anyway, we are safe here
until tomorrow morning, and then, i'll
or WE'LL she must 60"
Valerie paced her room like Gagged
tigress. She could have torn her
tongue out for the foolish words she
had uttered before Godfrey Armi-
stead, and now all was lost. Her re-
venge had failed-shame, disgrace,
lay before her.
Paul, her brother, was below-a
thief, a convict-an eternal humili-
alton.
She came suddenly to standstill
Two of the gang had been taken.
Who was the other? Had Jura been
caught? If so, what had become of
Alice? She must know all.
She rang and her maid appeared.
Bring me Coffee" she commanded,
sinking in languid attitude to a.
chair as the woman came in; "my
nerves are quite upset"
"I'll bring it at once, MISS" an
swered the maid. "I should think you
was upset, miss. The castle seems
turned topsy-turvy, and it's horrid TO
think of them awful robbers being
kept here!"
Kept here, Janet! What do you
mean?" Valerie started in feigned
surprise.
"Why, they are in the treasure
rooms, miss, with two policemen
guarding them"
Bring me the coffee at once"
Valerie stood upright as the girl
withdrew. j
I'm the treasure-rooms!" she re-
peated. "I must get down. Paul
must escape. l cannot bear the deg
radiation. Miserable wretch, he has
dragged me deep enough into the
mire! And Jura, must see if he is
there"
She unused thoughtfully till the
maid returned with the coffee
where is everybody, Janet?" she
asked indifferently.
my lady is in her room with a
strange gentleman, and the earl with
two others and a policeman, has just
ridden away-to Moretown, I think
heard say"
"YOu may go, Janet. Don't come toI
me before dinner. My head aches. L
shall try to rest"
She put down the coffee when alone,
and with swift, trembling hands
changed her long gown for a black
walking dress.
She wound some black lace round
her head and neck, then, christening
the door, stole out.
The corridor was silent. She turned
toward the wing in which poor Alice
had lived in solitary grandeur. She
conjectured that in all probability the
door through which Alice had been
carried that night would be unlocked.
She could creep down the staircase
and in some way get near Paul.
She was right. The door was un-'
locked-the whole of the wing was
deserted Since Alice had gone no
one had been near her apartments.
She stole down the steps. The
treasure-rooms were to the right. A
door leading into them stood at the
bottom of the steps,, and here she
paused.
fy7 grounds che no1Y1d