Evening star., 1901-12-21

nue.. Mistress Awdrey, coming to the
house. They are almost at the door"
Our CONSERVATION may be imagined.
Awdrey turned as white as the marble
pedestral Of the great statue against
which We were grouped Catching Cor
ham by tine arm pushed him and the SER
want toward the door. and whispered
Take the fellow away and go to meet
the soldiers, and shut the door behind you.
Quick, for Gods sake, boy, quickr' The
moment he was gone l darted behind the
statue, thrust open the secret entrance to
the hiding place, and called to Master
here, SIR SID, and without more ado,
L bundled him into it. and closed the en-
trance after him, whispering to him to lie
as still death. open the door now,
Awdrey. and remember, sweetheart, Mas
ter Lovelacc left yesterday"
Then making great effort we began to
talk and laugh together, much in our usual
fashion, when Gorham came back with the
officer in command of the soldiers.
Il am sorry to intrude upon an unpleas-
ant errand at such a time, madam" he
said TO Awdrey; but unhappily have no
option. I am Captain Hilary and my in
importance no less than the young pre-
tender, is here IN Lanston Grange disguised
as one Richard Loveiace. and have to re-
quest you to deliver him to me-
Perhaps you will allow me to answer
you captain. 1 am Sir Guy Lanston's g
nephew. Sir Godfrey Hardinge, at your
service. and caring for matters here in my
uncle's absence. My cousins are scarcely
fit to deal with such business. A Master
Richard Lovelace was here, but il you will
inquire you will find that he left yester-
day" -fs-7
The officer answered suavely:
MY Instructions are very precise and
clear sir"
THAT may be, but I am not concerned
with them. Whence comes your informa-
ton? Who Is the spy that maligns my
N
Il cannot reveal the source Of my infor-
nation, sir, but have my duty to do"
answered the officer.
And will do 1t like a gentleman and a
man OF honor / am sure. And since we
have many Christmas guests on the point
of arrival, 1 would beg you to do your will
speedily"
Without more ado number Of the men
were brought in, and while Awdrey, Cor
ham and 1 waited In the hall, they spread
all over the house and searched 1t from roof
to cellar. At the end ofs hour or so
Captain Hilary came with many apologies
for the unwelcome business and declared
that he had evidently been misled by wrong
information.
We watched the soldiers form up and de-
part. and Awdrey drew deep sigh Of relief
she linked her arm in mine
How good that you were here Godfrey" !"
she whispered. "And what nextr'
LAS soon as they are well away, your
guests and must be OF. Gorham, see that
and watch the men well out of sight, and
note the road they take. Quick, lad
Awdrey and l waited alone together In
the hall. The strain of the excitement had
wrought upon her nerves somewhat, and
she was very sweet, gracious and loving,
as I sought to soothe and reassure her.
Gorham came hurrying In.
There's something wrong still. Geoffrey.
Sir Burton Prendergast was waiting by
Overbury Cross. and met the captain there;
they had a long conference, and are now
coming back here together. Can Sir Bur-
ton know anythingT'
We shall see. and must hope he does
not, l answered. quietly; and soon after
Captain Hilary returned. SIR Burton with
him.
The officer came to the point at once.
He had learned that the prisoner he sought
was stu concealed In the house. and said
ne must therefore take further measures,
and must remain in the Grange
did not like the thing at all. and liked
1t far less when at Sir Burton's instigation
he said he would remain In the hall: that
all must pass In or out Of the house by
that way. 30 that he could see them; and