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

All patience, declared tnat nc would
nave the statue hewn in pieces if the
secret could not be found.
But there is nothing in it, said for
the twentieth time and at length when
| saw Gorham among the rest and n
glance told me all was well, and fear
ing, moreover, that the statue would
really be destroyed, | myself opened
it.
You can see for Yourself" said.
And while Captain Hilary thrust his
mead into the opening Il smile ran
round the faces of the guests, who
came crowding forward in curiosity at
the secret Of the statue and amusement
at the apparent farce of the proceed.
ings.
The captain flushed with vcXatiOn at
cutting 50 sorry Il figure and was in
doubt whether to vent his anger OIL
me or on Sir Burton.
There was some one there, l know"
said the latter, trying to bluff it off.
DO | understand that you make an
insinuatiOn Of falsehood against me,
Sir Burton PrendcrgastY" | asked, fac
ing him and speaking sterily. This
matter Is now personal to me-" And,
not rclishing my stare and having no
stomach for Il quarrel, he hinchcd and
with Il shrug of the shoulders said to
the officer:
81 am very sorry, Captain Hilary, but
it seems | was wrong"
what do you propose to do next,
captain?' | asked I'VE are ut your
commands, but you will understand
that our Christmas keeping is not like
ly to be the merrier for any prOlonging
of this matter"
81 shall hold you responsible for this,
Sir Burton. You have kept me here
while things have been arranged for
the prisoners escape | 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 cOncealment there and
you knew it you have prevented my
capturing him. Why didn't you tell me,
sir?'
smiled at this turn, but it was not
our cue to let the captain believe we
had ever concealed any one.
REST your mind easy and do not
blame even this meddlng mischief
maker cauSelcSsly. We have 10 one at
the Grange whom we wish to conceal"
And this was true, for by this time
Master LOvelace was well on his way
to the boat
Captain Hilary went away then,
grumbling and smarting with the irri-
tation of Il man who feels he has been
tricked, but cannot lay finger on the
proof, and as soon as he was gone l
signaled to Audrey and GOrham to
lead the guests away while detained
the cOwardly traitor who had come so
near to causing serious mischief.
a word with you, Sir Burton"
said shortly. You have acted tonight
the part of coward and spy and in
doing it you have cast imputations on
me. Tonight | do not make it Il per-
sonal matter, but tomorrow, if you are
still in the county of Sussex, or if with
in six months you show your face here,
| give you my honor that | will horse
whip you first and shoot afterward. You
know whether | am Il man to keep my
word"
He turned pallid with fear, said not
Il syllable and without more than one
sneaking, furtive, frightened look at
me skunk away and the next morning
left the country for his health's sake.
l was still lettering in the hall when
Gorham came and told me how he had
managed to get Master LovelaCe away,
and as | was praising him for his
smartncss Audrey came.
rs all safe now, Godfrey"
Yes, sweetheart; you can dance with
IL free heart"
"A free heart" she echoed, playing
on my words and smiling.
80 far as all that is concerned"
"'All that was very terrible while it
lasted. But you did splendidly."
"A penitent had to earn his forgive
ness, Audrey. Is it earned"
Not quite earned yet. You gave me
up very readily to Sir Burton, you
know" she cried and withdrew the
hand she had slipped into mine, moved