The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1905-12-14

a.
..,..s..,.;s Audrey will, remain In my
c,..,iye Have a care,' Ne added in a
whispers. which could not reach the cap
tain's ears. II know the secret Of this
statue and shall tell it unless Mistress
Awdrey purchases my silence in the
way have told her"
could have struck him for his mean,
cowardly threat, but | masked my
temper.
"Probably she will put herself in my
bands, Sir Burton, seeing that she Is
affianced to me-"
eff she, does not wish to ruin her
father and you all, she will tell YOU
rather that she is aftianced to me, Sir
Godfrey. A word from me and this
thing will be known. And l am in
deadly earnest
But the game was not lost yet for all
that. knew that my ruse had drawn
off nearly all the troops and that if
could but smuggle Master Lovelace out
Of the statue he could get away easily
from the house with one Of my men to
act as guide.
l stood moment as IL thinking in
great perplexity, and then, giving Aw-
drey, who was very pale and fright
ened, significant pressure of the hand
that lay on my arm, released it.
II see no other course, Audrey, but
to. comply. You had better take Sir
Burton's arm and go to the ballroom.
We must set things going or the whole
county will think we are mad"
His face lighted with triumph as he
held out his arm and my sweet Audrey
placed the tips Of her fingers upon it,
while I turned to Gorham and, under
pretense of giving him some directions
about the evenings arrangements,
whispered that he was to get the pris-
oner out when had cleared the hall
and send him away with my man as
guide.
exchanged a few sentences with the
captain, who stood plucking modify at
his mustache, and then went after Aw-
drey.
z All the guests were now in the great
ballroom, and, signaling to Audrey to
come with her partner to me, took
my stand close to the door Of small
room that lay between that and the
dining room. I unanswered so that
Sir Burton stood between me and the
door, which placed ajar, and then my
plan was ready.
This Is serious matter, Audrey"
I said, land think Sir Burton and I
had better talk It over together"
II have no wish for your interior
ence, Sir Geoffrey," he replied insolent-
~. II can manage my own affairs"
Is eBut this is more my AFFAIR than
yours" retorted. And before he knew
what1I was intending linked my arm
in his and pushed him roughly through
the door and, clapping my hand on his
mouth, forced him through into the
dining room beyond. Then freed his
mouth, and he did precisely what l
had reckoned on his doing.
He sent up cry for help, shouting
that there was treachery, and called
for Captain Hillary, who came running
In from the hall, on to which the dining
room opened. AS soon as the captain
+ entered slammed the door behind
him, and this gave Gorham his cue to
act, and, setting my back to the door
turned upon the two men.
'This is private quarrel between
Sir Burton Prendergast and myself
Captain Hilary, and you will have the
goodness not to interfere"
''There Is treachery afoot" shouted
Sir Burton, mad with rage. 1.-THE pris
oner you want is in the hall concealed
In the statue, captain. This is a trick
to cheat you of him."
Let me pass, sir. shall hold yor
responsible" said the captain to me OF
the instant, speaking very angrily.
| Responsible for what?" exclaimed
'"The mans mad. Does lie mean tina
he and you have been all this time il
the hall there and he has given you NJ
inkling of the story he now tells? YOU
don't believe that, surely?" said, hold
; ing my place at the door and listenin,
with all my ears for some sound tina
! Gorham had dcne his work.
"Let me pass, sirv cried the officer
drawing his sword. ''In the name o
the king let me pass!'
do you draw upon an unarme,
MANI" I exclaimed, and as spoke
heard sound from the hall whicl
seemed to show that young Gorhan
had succeeded
"If you hinder me further your bloo'
will be on your own head. Will 70,
let me pass?" said the officer fiercely.
''Do you mean you would murder m
for cock and bull story such as 81
Burton Prendergast'sY" l asked, delay
ing him to the last safe second. 9Th
door there through the anteroom /
open, but if you prefer this it is moth
ing to me-"
u He dashed out sword in band, an
Sir Burton was following him when
u laid my hand on him and barred tn