, 1905-12-20
Christmas Eve
at the Grange
Continued from page 3


dining room. | Unanswered so that
Sir Burton stood between me- and the
door, which | placed ajar, and then my
plan was ready.
This is a serious matter. Awdrey,"
| said, and | think Sir Burton and l
had better talk it over together"
81 have no wish for your interior
ence, Sir Godfrey" he replied insolent-
ly. Il can manage my own affairs"
But this is more my affair than
yours | reterted. And before he knew
what | was intending l linked my arm
in his and pushed him roughly through
the door and, elapping 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 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 | slammed the door behind
him, and this gave Gorham his cue to
act, and, setting my back to the door.
1 turned upon the two men.
This is Il private quarrel between
Sir Burton Prendergast and myself.
Captain Hilary. and you will have the
goodness net to interfere"
"There Is t%reachery 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 you
responsible" said the captain to me on
the instant, speaking very angrily.
Irresponsible for what?" l 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?" l 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, sir" cried the officer.
drawing his sword. "In the name of
the king let me pass!"
"Do you draw upon an unarmed
MANI" | exclaimed, and as | spoke |
heard Il sound from the hall which
seemed to show hat young Gorham
had succeeded.
IF You hinder me further your blood
will be on your WI head. Will you
let me pass?' said the officer fiercely.
"Do you mean you would murder me
for "A cock and bull story such as Sir
Burton Prendergast'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 dashed out sword in hand, and
Sir Burton was following him when |
laid my hand on him and barred the
way.
II have a reckoning with you" l said.
for | wished to give time for Master
Lovelace to get clear away, and words
between US grew hot and fast until
Captain Hilary came back and de
manded that Sir Burton should come
and explain the secret of the hiding
place. | let him go then and followed.
Then Audrey and some of the guests
came out into the hall. and a pretty
scene of cross purposes followed. Sir
Burton Prendergast asserted that the
horse was the hiding plaoe, and he and
the officer tried vainly to discover the
opening until Captain Hilary, losing
all patience, declared that he would
have 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
l saw Gorham among the rest and Il
glance told me all was well, and fear
ing, moreover. that the statue would
really be destroyed, | myself opened
1t.
you can see for yourself" I said.
And while Captain Hilary thrust his
head into the opening a smile ran
round the faces of the guests, who
came crowding forward in curiosity at
the secret of the statue and amulement
ut the apparent farce of the proceed
ings.
The captain flushed with yeXation at
cutting Sc sorry a figure and was i'll
doubt whether to vent his anger on
me or on Sir Burton.
"There was some IL there, | know"
sal. the latter, trying to bluff it 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 a quarrel, he finched and
with a shrug of the shoulders said to
tba officer.