Los Angeles herald., 1906-07-29


ed the boy, only half resssured.
II swan here under water from the boat and
under the door. / only pretended to stab my
self"
Good heavens, what a swimmer you must
bel"
II want you 10 help me, Desire. Miss Elliott
told me how good and kind you have been to
form as he spoke, and painfully dragged himself
from the water"
The boy fell back few steps, eying him in
sheer alright. "Hep you" he stammered; ;
"how can I?'
'T don't know vet; later we shall see. You
can hide me here for few days, can't you? You
would not like to see me die, Desire. few
days. is that much?"
"Ah!" (hestatingly) but you must soon be
caught, and then my grandfather will know, and
/ shall suffer for it, You see," he added shame
facedly, "Pve worked on this boat for two years
now, day and night, day and night. When it is
6nished grandfather has promised to send me
TO England to the Cambridge University But
if do anything to vex him in The meantime, he
will not let me 60"
"Then you would rather see fellow creature
murdered before your eyes than risk a little to
try to save him."
The boy cast down his eyes, and was silent for
time He was wonderfully beautiful Of face,
this boy, and strangely like Madame Viyella in
feature-but he differed just as strangely in ex-
preston. His eyes we're heavy lidded, large, and
marvelously kind; his mouth was soft and trem-
ulous, and his lips quivered the man observed
him
II won't tell on you, of course; you may stay
here until you discovered"
Thank you boy; let US shake hands on that"
Desire came forward and offered both his
hands. "I like you, my Lord" he said frankly.
II shall be so sorry when you caught, but if
you are careful you may live here for quite a
long time, for shall feed you, and grandfather
seldom comes to work here lately, he is SO old
that he grows tired very soon. The only thing
is-ha I did not think of that"
What, Desire"
"The tunnel"
What tunnel?"
He pointed to the rocky wall against which
the boathouse built, and Cressingham saw
the outlines of an iron door cunningly let into
the solid rock "He sometimes comes that way"
he muttered fearfuly, "and spies on me as
work. If he came now he would catch you
easily"
Cressingham shivered. "That door opens on a
tunnel then?"
Eyes, which leads to grandfathers bedroom.
No one knows about it but grandfather and
me- not even mother. The whole island is honey
combed with tunnels; if you once got in there,
and didn't know your way, you might wander
for days in the dark, and no matter how you
cried out, no one would ever hear you.'
"That would be horrible; but where could
sleep, Desire, where would be safe?"
Desire pondered while, then pointed delight
fully to the silver boat that swung on its davits
above their heads 'In there" he cried, "you
would be perfectly safe, for we never let it
down. 1t is quite finished, and only needs the
engines which I am busy making now You
had better get in it at once in case of accidents
he continued presently, "for ] have to work,
and while l am working one can hear nothing
Oh and
board the boat, which he found to be very light
1y but substantially constructed of some alloy
of steel and aluminium. 1t was furnished fore
and aft with watertight compartments, and a
large space in the centre waited for the engines
that Desire spoke of. Leaning over the side he
watched the boy at his work, and marveled at
the patience and wonderful skill he employed in
the labor that engrossed him. Four hours sped
by and then Desire threw down his tools. "I
must go to lunch now," he said; IT shall bring
back something for you in my pockets"
"Will you see Miss Elliott" asked Crossing
ham,
'Why, yes She always has her meals with
grandfather and me-"
please try to let her know that I am safe;
she will be dreadfully anxious"
ri shall try; good d-byc, my Lord"
He was gone two hours, and on his return
seemed very anxious and distressed. II could
not tell Miss Elliott" he said quickly, "for the
Prince, my m0therB huSDdnQ, mas arrived, and
could not see her alone; but made a sign to
her, and grandfather saw me. He was very
angry and beat me cruelty. He pretends to
think that I intend to run away with Miss Ell
lott in this boat as soon as the engines are fin
ished, and he is coming soon to take away all the
completed plates, so that I cannot do what he
suspects. He is now perhaps on his way. Oh,
if he should find you here"
Cressingham found himself sharing the lads
fears, for although, if the Count came and found
him, he succeeded in killing the monster, that
would not help him to escape, but would proba-
bly, precipitate Miss Elliott's ruin well as his
own 'Is there not some other hiding placer"
he cried.
Desire gasped out-"The tunnel" and ran to
the door which he opened with key from his
belt Come quicklyl" he cried.
Cressingham followed the boy, who striking a
match darted into dark and dripping passage
that led upwards like a staircase, but soon they
left the main path and entered cross-passage
that led into spacious stalactited cavern. Re
main here!" said Desire. "I shall come to you
as soon as can!' and thrusting some matches
into the mans hands he hurried back like a
sprite into the darkness, seeming to know his
way by instinct.
Cressingham stood for long hour in the
pitchy blackness of the place listening to the
ghostly, ceaseess splashing of the drops of wa
ter on the stones about him, splashing that
had lasted then for countless ages and would last
perhaps until the end of time.
The horrid loneliness got on his nerves at
last, he felt chilled all over to the bone, and
sick too with anxiety and superstitous fears
He gave utterance 10 wild, hysteric laugh,
when of sudden footsteps sounded in one Of the
corridors and he caugnt the far gleam of lamp.
It was Desire, who carried in his arms bundle
of rugs, lantern and mass Of food.
Desire told him while ne ate that 1t would be
better to take UP his abode in the cavern for
the present, as the Count, once inspired with an
idea, was hard to satisfy, and he would prob