The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1899-07-29
great rafters spanning the space orerhead

roots out beyond these the sweep OF level
was unbroken save by large bed with cur
tains, q table, and several chairs. A half.
moon window at either gable end was let
high into the wall A long ladder leading to
one of them showed ii had been used as a
post Of observation, but now both were care
fully covered TO prevent any interior light
reaching abroad.
Here, then, were comfortable quarters at
last. 1t was none too cool, but there was
plenty Of air, and could but get bite and
a few hours sleep felt something might
come OF II, especially as there was a safe
hiding place near at hand which could be
used at pinch, and such possible refuge
would prove a mighty factor in preventing
decentralization.
was looking at the trapped hole in the
floor through which we had come when
heard footstep on the stairs and a man APP
peared from below. He rose into sight as
though there was no end to him, so tall and
gaunt was he, and as he came to the light
saw that he possessed but one eye, and that
set in face which had the length and ex-
preston OF that OF horse. With barely a
glance at me, he took my companion aside,
where they held a whispered conference.
Suddenly turning, he held out to me an arm
like fail and grasped my hand. Then with
a smile which disclosed magnificent set Of
| teeth, and like magic TRANSPORTED the ex-
preston of his face, he said in the purest
| English and with a voice OF wonderful
meditation:
Donald Thorndyke, you are heartily well
| come to the poor house Of Peter Burt. /
| trust il will hold you in safety until way
OF escape is made clear. Your deed Is
known to me. / honor you for your gen.
/ avI natrtnfivv,, .rin
me-" he interrupted as l was about to
speak, II know your present needs. and viii
supply them at once; then we will talk"
And with this he abruptly turned and went
below
| He had barely disappeared when strange
thing happened. was facing the bed when
| heard an exclamation come from behind
the curtains, which were drawn close, and at
the same time they parted, discovering a
youth clad in a long Quaker cloak which dc
scended halfway down his shapely calves.
! For the moment | was startled, but at once
surmised that he was the dumb brother of
my companion. Ames sprang forward to
meet him, the boy greeting him with smile
and hand clasp, but, pushing past my
| guide, he advanced to where | stood by the
table, and with n ripping laugh which there
was no mistaking astonshed me by saying
Donald Thorndyke here! Has he too,
escaped? Heaven is indeed goodl | have no
need of counterfeiting dumbness with him.
Beverly, by what fortune"
The flow Of words was cut short here, for
Ames let out cry just as | cleared my mud
died brain and recognized the girl, Gertrude
King, disguised as Quaker With the
cloak gathered about her as though to con-
ceal her altered apparel, and slightly bent as
in shrinking modesty, she stood with eyes
and lips apart, while my late guide grasped
my hand and said
"By the Lord but struck better than
knew. Why, man, twas you who gave me
the first hand in help, and that at the fire,
but l have never seen your face closely till
now. knew you as the savior of my sister,
but had no guess was in your debt for my
self"
| Were quits, as you said, but It's a small
| debt. She is your sister, then" / ex-
claimed, in my bewildcrmcnt referring 10
! the matter which had been bothering me.
"How is il am thus hoodwinkedg Have
we not just sworn"
NAY, friend" he broke in entreatingly.
IL but guessed at you at first. This dumb
ness has been mask from the start. Twas
/ that and your pass which got Gertrude
| through the lower lines. / but continued it
with you, fearing you would shirk the risk
| OF having a girl share what adventure we
might have in store You gave me to I'M
derstand that much. BE not offended"
NAY, Beverly, | could have told you bet
teri" said the girl. Capt. Thorndyke, you
must pardon my appearance, nor think am
unsexed inwardly as outwardly when / say
that | know you will not refuse your help
to me; for. as you once risked your life for
mine, you viii not leave us and put il be-
| yond my power TO do my share in making
good the debt. The same feeling which babe
you defy Clinton will surely not allow you
| 20 leave me while / am still unfortunate!
| And can help. will not faint nor lose my
head and cry out if danger comes. ! can
shoot; ay, and will, if need bel"
She was striking object as she stood
there in the light of the single candle. AS
she spoke she stepped forward, the cloak
slipping from her hands and falling about
her in graceful folds. Not a whit less OF a
beauty was she for al that her hair was
shorn for more than half its length and
stained almost black, for in her male at
tire there was no installing the grace OF her
sex, which in her accentuated. In her pres
| ent rig she seemed less tall than in her
proper costume, but it gave freedom to her
movements, and there were ease and supple
ness in even the small gesture OF extending
her arms toward me as il to add weight to
her words. From top to toe there was
witchery about her, and little wondered
at Scammell's infatuation. How on earth
she had passed the lines without having
been suspected was puzzle unless, indeed,
she too. like her brother, was skilled in act
ing part.
Mistress Gertrude" / replied bending
my head, whcreat she attempted courtesy,
which. 20 say the least, was graceful despite
the lack of sweeping drapery. you need
not think me generous when tell you that
the oath which binds me TO help your broth
CT binds me to help you also, and to the
last extremity. These may be but empty
words; danger lies in every quarter, nor
can probe way through. Madam, do not
count on the success OF my best efforts, but
| for the sake of all know them 10 be my best.
| And now for your story; but, first, how is Il
that brother and sitter bear different
| namcs?'
| ssxN. 49, I,,t half hrof hor and ufefor - mid