Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-12-16


This is serious matter. Awdrey,"
( / said. land / think Sir Burton and 1
had better talk it over together"
Il have no wish for your interfer-
ence. Sir Godfrey" he replied insoIent-
~. Il can manage my own affairs"
But this Is more my affair than
yours" retorted. And before he knew
+, what 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 1 freed his
mouth, and he did precisely what /
had reckoned on his doing.
He sent up a cry for help. shouting
: that there was treachery, and called
for Captain Hilary. who came running
: in from the hall, on TO which the dining
room opened. AS soon as the captain
entered I slammed the door behind
1 him. and this gave Gorham his cue to
act, and, setting my back TO the door,
l turned upon the two men.
This is q private quarrel between
| Sir Burton Prcndergast and myself,
! Captain Hilary. and you will have the
/ goodness not to interfere"
There is treachery afoot-' shouted
Sir Burton. mad with rage. 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 you
responsible,- said the captain to me Cd
the instant. speaking very angrily.
Responsible for what?'' exclaimed.
The mans mad. Does he mean that
hn av1 Ill In
the hall there and he has given you no
inkling of the story he now tells: You
don't believe that. surely?" ! said. hold
ing my place ut the door and listening
with all my ears for some sound that
Gorham had done his work.
Let me pass. sir" cried the officer,
drawing his sword. I'm the name OF
the king let me pass
"Do you draw upon an unarned
man?" l exclaimed. and as spoke
heard a sound from the han which
seemed to show that young Gorham
had succeeded.
IF you hinder me further your blood
will be on your own head. VIII you
let me passs?" said the officer fierccly.
do you mean you would murder me
for cock and bull story such as Sir
Burton Prender-ast'S:" asked. delay
ing him to the last safe second The
door there through the anterOom is
open. but If you prefer this it is moth
ing to me"
He dsshed out sword in hand. and
Sir Eur ton was following him when
laid my hand on him and barred the
way.
Il have-a reckoning with you | said.
for 1 wished 10 give time for Master
Lovelace 20 get clear away. and words
between us grew hot and fast until
Captain Hilary came back and de-
handed that Sir Burton should come
and explain the secret of the hiding
place. l let him go then and followed
Then Awdrey and some Of the guests
came out into the hall. and Il pretty
scene OF cross purposes followed. Sir
Burton Poendergast asserted that the
horse was the hiding place. and he AMI
the officer tried vainly TO discover the
opening until Captain Hilary. losing
all patience. declared that he would
have the statue hewn in pieces IL the
secret could not be found
But there is nothing in IT," | said for
the twentieth time. and at length, when
l saw Gorham among the rest and "a
glance told me all was well. and fear
ing. moreover. that the statue would
really be destroyed, / myself opened
IL.
You can see for yourself i said
And while Captain Hilary thrust his
head into the opening q smile ran
round the faces of the guests. who
came crowding forward in curiosity at
the secret Of the statue and amusement
ut the apparent farce of the proceed
ings
The captain flushed with veXation at
cutting so sorry u figure and was In
doubt whether to vent his anger Oh
me or on Sir Burton.
There was some one there / know"
said the latter. trying to bluff ii off.
do ! understand that you make an
insinuation of falsehood against me.
Sir Burton Prendergast?' asked. fac
ing him and speaking sternly. This
matter is now personal to me-" And.
not relishing my stare and having no
stomach for n quarrel. he fiinched and
with a shrug of the shoulders said to
the officer:
II am very sorry. Captain Hilary. but
IL seems 1 was wrong"
What do you propose to do next
/ asked. We are at your
commands. but you will understand
that our Christmas keeping is not like |
~ To be the merrier for any prolonging |
Of this matter"
Il shall hold you responsible for this |
Sir Burton. You have kept me here |
while things have been arranged for |
the prisoners escape. 1 withdraw my |
men and shall make my report" Thus .
the interfering bully found himself
PROSTATE between the two of us and in
danger Of kicks from us both. IF the
prisoner was in concealInent there and 1
you knew IL you have prevented my |
him. Why didn't you tell me. |
sir?'