The Palatka news. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1905-1908, 1905-12-15

| 49, ~'Sh'S' dhSWeIeu DfuSQuely.
u think you have carried this farce far
enough. In truth, shall hold YOU re-
sponsible for the outrage to which l
have been subjected. Because chose
to leave here and gallop to Hardinge
for change Of costume your fellows
forsooth, must needs come Gathering
after me, firing their muskets and ac-
tually putting my life to the hazard.
You'll find them now hard stuck in the
boys on the other side of Muttlebury
haunch. But the thing is intolerable.
Come, Awdrey, let us go to the guests
and leave this gentleman to do his
WILL"
The captains face darkened as said
this, while Sir Burton Prendergast
gave me an ugly, sneering look. And
when Audrey put her hand on my arm
she showed in her fingers slip of
note and whispered, Take it. Dan
ger"
This farce has gone far enough, Sir
| Godfrey, as you say" cried Prender-
CAST, growing angry and coming to us.
mistress Awdrey will remain in my
charge. Have a care" he added in
whisper which could not reach the cap
tain'S ears. Il know the secret of this
statue and shall tell it unless Mistress
Audrey purchases my silence in the
way have told her."
could have struck him for his mean,
cowardly threat, but l masked my
temper.
"PrObably she will put herself in my
hands, Sir Burton, seeing that she is
atlianced to me-"
IF she does not wish to ruin her
father and you all, she will tell you
rather that she is atfianced 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 a moment as If thinking in
great perpleXlty, and then, giving Aw
drey who was very pale and fright
ened, significant pressure of the hand
that lay on my arm, l released it.
Il 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 turned to Gorham and, under
pretense Of giving him some directions
about the evenings arrangements,
whispered that he was to get the prs
oner out when l had cleared the hail
and send him away with my man us
guide.
exchanged few sentences with the
captain, who stood plucking modify at
his mustache, ard then went after Aw
drey.
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 Il small
room that lay between that and the
dining room. Unanswered so that
Sir Burton stood between me and the
door, which placed ajar, and then my
plan was ready.
This is serious matter, Awdrey,"
| said, land | think Sir Burton and |
had better talk it over together"
Il have no wish for your intcrfcr-
cnce, Sir Godfrey" he replied inSolcnt-
ly. 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 freed his
mouth, and he did precisely what
had reckOned on his doing.
He sent up cry for help, shouting
that there was treachery, and called
for Captain Hilary, who came running
In from the hail. 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 tie doc,
| turned upon the two men.
This is n 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. "Thc priS-
Oner you want is in the hall concealed
in the statue, captain. This is trick
to cheat you Of him."
Let me pass, sir | shall hold you
responsible" said the captain to me on
the instant, speaking very angrily.
Irresponsible for what?' | exclaimed.
1.-THE mans mad. Does he mean that
he and you have been all this time 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 at the door and listening
with all my ears for some sound that
Gorham had done his work.
LET me pass, sirw cried the officer,
drawing his sword. I'm the name of
the king let me pass"
do you draw upon an unarmed
manT l exclaimed, and as | spoke
heard sound from the hall 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 pass?" said the officer tiercely.
do you mean you would murder me
for a cock and bull story such rs Sir
Burton Prendergast's?" asked, delay