The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1906-01-22


which we were grouped. Catching Cor
servant toward the door and whis-
pered:
"Take the fellow away and go to
meet the soldiers and shut the door be-
bind you. Quick. boy, quickv The mo-
ment he was gone I darted behind the
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 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 a 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 a 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 1 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 Geoffrey Hardinge.
at your service, and caring for matters
here in my uncle's absence. My cousins
are scarcely fit to deal with such a
business. A Master. Richard Lovelace
was here, but If 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 absenceY'
Il cannot reveal the source of my
information, sir, but I have my duty
to do" answered the officer.
"And will do it like a gentleman and
we have many Christmas guests on the
point of arrival 1 would beg you to do
your will speedily"
Without more ado, q number Of the
men were brought in, and while Aw-
drey, Gorham and l waited in the hall
they spread all over the house and
searched it from roof to cellar. At the
! of in
came with many apologies for the un.
welcome business and declared that he
had evidently been misled by wrong in.
! formation.
We watched the soldiers form up and
depart, and Audrey drew a deep sigh
of relief as she linked her arm in mine.
How good that you were here, Geof-
frey" she whispered. "And what
next"
LAS soon as they are we'll 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
sight and note the road they take.
Quick, lad"
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
anythingY'
1--WE shall see and must hope he does
not" l 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.
l 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 q 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 a 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.
There was a small easement from
which could easily leap to the terrace
below, make dash for the stable
yard where the horses were ready and
ride away across the park beyond.
That was easy, but it must be so done
that one or other of the sentries should
catch sight of me and thus bring the
rest of the pack upon my heels.
knew where the men were posted,
and, having from an upper window at
A~lA v~