The Washington herald., 1906-12-13
CHAPTER XvI-COntinued.

But poor Miss Berengaria had her
hands full. She left the front door open
for the return of Alice. and heard 1t close
with bang. At once she started from
her seat before the fire in the drawing
room to rebuke the girl for such care
lessness, but her anger changed to as
tonishment when Alice appeared at the
door streaming with wet and supporting
man. Aunt cried Alice. dropping the
man in a heap and eagerly closing the
door Here's Bernard
Bernard" exclaimed Miss Plantage-
net, staring
Yes. yes!' said Alice, passing over
and pinching her aunts arm. See how
pale he is and hungry. He escaped. and
has come for us to save him. If the
police
The man on the floor. who was In a half
stupor. half rose. The police-the pO-
lice!' he said thickly, and his wild eyes
glared. mo, ] will confess everything.
Alice, I AMI am" He dropped again.
BY this time Miss Plantagenet. accept
the hint Of Alices pinch, was beginning
to grasp the situation. She scarcely rel
ished having a murderer under her roof,
but for the sake Of Bernard she felt that
she must aid in the deception But she
could not conceive how Michael could
have the audacity TO pass himself off as
Bernard to one who knew him so inti-
mately as Alice. At the same time, she
saw a wonderful likeness to Gore He
and Michael might have been twins. but
Michael had not the mole which was his
brothers distinguishing mark Sull, un-
less Michael knew all about Bernard S
life, unless he was educated like him. I'M
less he, knew his ways and tricks and
manners. it was impossible that he should
hope to deceive Alice or even Miss Beren-
garia herself
Also there was another thing 10 be con-
sideTed. How came the man in this
plight? He had received 81 900 from
Sir Simon In the beginning Of October,
and. therefore, must have plenty of mon
ey. Yet here he Was-thin haggard, in
squalid rags, and evidently hunted fugi-
tive. IL was not comedy got up 10 de-
ceive them. for both women saw that
the man really was suffering. He was
now lying I'm a stupor, but, for all that.
I he might have sense enough TO know
what they said. 50 both were cautious
after q glance exchanged between them.
I'VE must take Bernard up TO the tur-
ret-room." said Miss Berengaria prompt
ly. He'll be all right tonight, and then
We can send for Payne tomorrow. Help
me with him, Alice"
But. aunt, the servants"
They will hold their tongues. I'll see
to that"
Bless you. murmured the half-stupe-
fed man. I can't thank you for-Oh
if you only knew all! I want to tell you
something"
Never mind just now" said the old
3 md t,f
supported by Alice and myself. Then
we'u put you to bed and give you some
thing tc eat"
"Wiu be safe2" asked the man, looking
around anxiously
quite safe. Do you think I would let
you be taken, Bernardo" said Alice, al
though her soul sickened in her at the
deception.
'I-trust-you. said Michael with a
strange lock at her Il am I'm and dirty.
and-and-but you know I am Bernard 3"
he burst out In a pitiful kind Of a way
Yes, Of course you are. Any one can
see that" said Miss Berengaria, as Alice
didn't answer. Help him up. Alice"
The two dragged the man up the stairs
painfully. he striving his best to make
his weight light. Miss Berengaria ap-
proved Of this He's got good stuff in
him. she said, when they led him into
the small room which took up the whole
Of the second floor Of the turret.
"He always had" said Alice warmly
and for the sake OF comedy.
But Miss Berengaria frOwued. She ap-
piled what she said to Michael
Then Miss Berengaria sent Alice down
stairs to heat some wine. and made
Michael go TO bed. He was as weak as
a child, and simply let her do what she
liked. With some difficulty she man
aged 10 put him between the sheets. and
then washed his face and hands Finally
on Alice returning with the wine and