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

s.
Awdrey turned AZ white as the marble
pedestal Of the great statue against
which we were grouped. Catching Cor
ham by the arm. pushed him and the
servant toward the door and whis--
pered:
Take the fellow away and 60 to-
meet the soldiers and shut the door be-
hind you. Quick, boy, quick!" The mo-
ment he was gone darted behind tile
statue, thrust open the secret entrance.
to the hiding place and called to Mas
ter Lovelace. Your only chance OF
safety is here, SIR" said, and without
more ado l bundled him into it and
closed the entrance after him, whisper
ing to him to lie as still as death.
"Open the door now, Audrey, and re-
member, sweetheart, Master Lovelace
left yesterday"
Then, making great effort, we be-
gan to talk and laugh together. much
in our usual fashion, when Gorham
came back with the officer in command
Of the soldiers.
Il am sorry to intrude upon an un~
pleasant errand at such time, mad
am" he said to Audrey, "but unhappi-
" have no option. l am Captain Hill
airy, and my instructions are that per-
son of dangerous importance, no less
than the young pretender, Is here In
Lanston Grange disguised as one Rich
ard Lovelace, and l have to request
you to deliver him to me-"
Perhaps you will allow me to an
swer you, captain. am Sir Guy Ian.
ston's nephew, Sir Godfrey Hardinge.
at your service and caring for matters
here in my uncle's absence. Ny cousins
are scarcely At to deal with such
business. A Master Richard Lovelace
was here, but il you will inquire you
will find that he left yesterday"
The officer answered suavely:
"My instructions are very precise and
clear, sir"
THAT may be, but am not concern
ed with them. Whence comes your In
formation? Who is the spy that ma
ligns my uncle in his absence?s
II cannot reveal the source Of my
Information, sir, but have my duty
to do" answered the officer.
And will do 1t like a gentleman and
q man Of honor, am sure. And since
we have many Christmas guests on the
point of arrival would beg you to do
your will speedily"
Without more ado, number of the
men were brought in, and while Aw-
drey, Gorham and waited in the hall
they spread all over the house and
searched it from roof to cellar. At the
end Of an hour or 20 Captain Hilary
came with many apologies for the un-
welcome business and declared that he
bad evidently been misled by wrong In
formation.
We watched the soldiers form up and
depart, and Audrey drew deep sigh
of relief as she linked her arm in mine.
How good that you were here, Geof-
frey" she whispered "And what
nextY
AS soon as they are well away your
guest and I must be off. Gorham, see
that the horses are ready and then slip
away and watch the men we'll out of 4
sight and note the road they take.
Quick, lad" 4ae.
Audrey and waited alone together
in the hall. The strain Of the excite
ment had wrought upon her nerves
somewhat, and she was very sweet,
gracious and loving as 1 sought to
soothe and reassure her. Gorham came
hurrying in.
There's something wrong still, Geof-
frey. Sir Burton Prendergast was
waiting by Overbury Cross and met
the captain there. They had long
conference and are now coming back
here together. Can Sir Burton know
anything?"
I'VE shall see and must hope he does
not answered quietly. And soon
after Captain Hilary returned Sir Bur-
ton with him.
The officer came to the point at once
He had learned that the prisoner he
sought was Still concealed in the house
and said he must therefore take fur
Their measures and must remain in the
Grange.
did not like the thing at all, and
liked it far less when at Sir Burton's
instigation, he said he would remain in
the hall, that all must pass in or out
of the house by that way, so that he
could see them, and that all the other
doors must be locked, with men posted
outside.
1t was in all truth very awkward
predicament, and as was racking my
brains for some expedient young Cor
hams words, that was like Mr. Love
lace when seen from behind, occurred
to me and suggested plan to outwit
them. If the soldiers remained in the
hall poor Master Lovelace must either
be starved or driven to surrender, and
either event spelled ruin. My plan was
therefore to play at escaping from the
house, get to my horse and lead the
soldiers dance across country in pur-
suit