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


whisper which could not reach the cap
taIn's ears. II know the secret Of this
statue and shall tell it unless Mistress
Audrey purchases my silence In the
way have told her."
I could have struck him for his mean
cowardly threat, but 1 masked my
temper.
Probably she will put herself In my
hands, Sir Burton, seeing that she Is
affianced to me-"
IF she does not wish to ruin her
father and you all, she will tell you
rather that she is affianced to me, Sir
Godfrey. A word from me and this
thing will be known. And l am In
deadly earnest"
But the game was not lost yet for all
that. / knew that my ruse had drawn
off nearly all the troops and that If
could but smuggle Master Lovelace out
of the statue he could get away easily
from the house with one Of my men tc
act as guide.
] stood moment as If thinking In
great perplexity, and-then, giving Aw.
drey, who was very pale and fright
ened, significant pressure of the hand
that Lay on my arm, released it.
Il see no other course, Audrey, but
to comply. You had better take Sill
Buttons arm and go to the ballroom
We must set things going or the whole
county will think we are mad"
His face lighted with triumph as he
held out his arm and my sweet Audrey
placed the tips Of her fingers upon it
while l turned to GOrham and, under
pretense Of giving him some directions
about the evenings arrangements
whispered that he was to get the pris.
oner out when l had cleared the hall
and send him away with my man as
guide.
exchanged q few sentences with the
captain, who stood plucking modify al
his mustache, and then went after Aw.
drey.
All the guests were now in the great
ballroom, and, signaling to Audrey to
come with her partner to me, 1 took
my stand close to the door of a small
room that lay between that and the
dining room. l Unanswered so that
Sir Burton stood between me and the
door, which placed ajar, and then my
plan was ready.
"This is serious matter, Awdrey,"
1 said, land think Sir Burton and I
had better talk it over together"
hnxy y;1h sx,x@-
ence, Sir Godfrey" he replied insolent-
~. II can manage my own affairs"
'But this is more my affair than
yours" retorted. And before he knew
what was intending 1 linked my arm
in his and pushed him roughly through
the door and, clapping my hand on his
mouth, forced him through into the
dining room beyond. Then 1 freed his
mouth, and he did precisely what 1
had reckoned on his doing.
He sent up 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 1 slammed the door behind
him, and this gave Gorham his cue to
act, and, setting my back to the door,
turned upon the two men.
This Is a private quarrel between
Sir Burton Prendergast and myself,
Captain Hilary, and you will have the
goodness not to interfere"
There Is treachery afootv' 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. I shall hold you
responsible" said the captain to me Oh
the instant, speaking very angrily.
Irresponsible for what?' I exclaimed.
'"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?" 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, STRIP cried the officer,
drawing his sword. I'm the name Of
the king let me passv'
do you draw upon an unarmed
man?" 1 exclaimed, and as I spoke
heard sound from the hall which
seemed to show that young Gorham
had succeeded.
IF you hinder me further your blood
will be on your own head. Will you
let me passT said the officer fiercely.
"Do you mean you would murder me
for cock and bull story such as Sir
Burton Prendergast's?' asked, delay
ing him to the last safe second. 1.-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 l
laid my hand on him and barred the
way.
II have reckoning with you," said.
for 1 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. l 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
pr,y Dy.ov 80