The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-02-10
CHAPTER xxx.
THE VALET.

IFS he dead?
The question was asked by the sig
norma, who had come again from her
chamber door, and was now pressing
with the rest toward the stair.
+, mo-" came up in mufled tones from
the young detective, who had bounded
down after the fallen man, "he is not
dead, and he is in custody. You need
not fear this man any more.'
But her terrors were not so easily
quieted. Though she did not speak,
sho stood shaking from head to foot,
and seemed not to know whittier to 60
or what to do.
would. there be any harm in my
seeing this man." she ventured tim
idly, after a somewhat painful pause.
'T should like to ask him what he has
against me-"
} '"Take my arm," said benevolent
voice over her shoulder. II shall be
very glad to have you see him." And
Mr.. Gryce stepped forward with such
an air Of authority that she forgot that
his face was strange and took the prof
fered arm without q word.
p, He led her to the stairs, down which
she went, trembling very much, but
otherwise seemingly composed. Lamps
had been lit in the hall below, and the
forms Of Mr.. Byrd and Mr.. Degraw
were to be seen standing above that Of
the PROSTATE man. She paused as she
perceived her lover, but instantly re-
covered herself and went On, smiling
little sadly as she passed him.
The man, upon whose wrists the
handouts had been put, turned his
face upward as her light steps ap-
preached.
- "Why, it Is the valetp' she cried.
'"The man VINO said he was a detec-
tive, and who warned me-" She
went no further, and her agitation be-
came so great that the dagger, which
she still nervously clutched. fell from
her hand on to the breast Of the man
upon whom she was gazing.
Mr.. Byrd stretched forth his hand
and took it. She did not notice, she
was looking in the face Of the desper-
ate assassin and her lips moved me-
ehanically, but no sound came from
them.
The wretch, who did not seem in any
way overcome by his misfortune,
stared back at her curiously.
"You see me down." said he; "well,
thar q m q
1ae up again. I am not the man to
swing"
What a fearful wretchr she NUT
tered, and hardly found tongue to fall
ter: There seems to be no good reason
why you should attack me. What have
i done, what has any Of US done that
you Ghould come here with knife?"
He laughed and gazed about him
with evil eyes. 'There are some here
who can guess" he cried. Then with
q sort Of bravado continued: mo mat
ter why came here, miss. can come
no more, and that ought to suffice you.
Good days have begun for you, miss,
and I cannot prevent it; the police
have been too many for me-"
She looked as if she did not under
stand, as if she wanted to question
him further. But her lover, who felt
her contaminated by any conversation
with this man, advanced at this point
and began to draw her away.
Come" he urged; this is no place
for you."
Instantly the wretch, who had not
shown up to this point any real sense
of his situation, reused and looked af
ter her.
"Ah. ha" he cried, "you may lose
yet. Eleven o'clock has not yet come" T"
She started. dropped Mr.. Degraw's
arm and looked wildly back.
He is madr' she whispered, ant
Aasteued to hide herself from those
eyes. &c.
When she and tie artist who M.