The Washington herald., 1907-06-23
CHAPTER XIV.
The Secret Out.


The great gates were open and fully
ughted and along the great drive through
the park he could see the double row Of
lamps that were only lighted on impor-
tant occasions, and he hesItated. Some
thing was on at the castle. He had for
gotten that. and he remembered now
with a sort Of shock. that the earl had
returned from London only the day be-
fore. and that he was giving a recep-
ton and a ball tonight
He stood gnawing his moustache. There
would be no chance Of seeing Lord Fan
shave for hours-yet he must, and at
once
He watched the carriage sweep up for
a moment and then suddenly turned and
strode over the gravel toward the terrace
and the library window that opened on 10
10.
Il was open, and the room was lighted
He peered through, and, finding it empty
passed in. and crossed 70 the fire that
burned in one Of the great open lreplaces.
He was standing staring down into 1t
when a footman crossed hurriedly from
the inner library. He touched his fore
head when he saw Barker, and came 10
an abrupt standstil.
Does his lordship know he began,
and stopped Something strange in Bark
er.s appearance checked him. Something
strange in his eyes stopped his first words,
and then his glance fell on his disheveled
clothes and on the mud at his knees. He
was probably the only man in the castle
not in evening dress at that moment, and
it must be something very urgent, thought
the man. that had brought him there
like that.
ITS all right" Barker said. hUskily.
'I came hurriedly. and I must see Lord
Fanshawe at once. You can take him
a note from me-
He stopped TO take out a notebook as
he sp0ke. and sCribhled some words upon
a leaf torn from it, He looked at the
message when he had finished. with his
teeth showing for a moment between his
lips. He took an envelope from one OF
the desks and sealed II.
Give this 10 his lordship at once, and
say that I must see him. No one viii
come In here, will they?'
They are not likely to- the footmar
replied. He gave another curious glance
at Barker's clothes and face, and ther
went silently from the room.
Outside. the corridor was full Of people
The guests were fast arriving. The re
ception in the great gallery was in full
swing. and in but a short time now dane
ing would commence in the ballroom al
the end Of the corridor.
The man hesitated. the note in hi:
hand. 1t was no use attempting TO get
to Lord Fanshawe unless it was some,
thing desperately important; and suppose
it was not?
He looked about the crowded corridor
and then began making his way SLOWLY
toward the reception rooms. In the great
hall outside the door there was more
space. and the sight Of another footmar
standing beside a bank of palms decided
him. He would tell him what to do. He
nUdged his arm
L say, Roberts, what sort Of tenn
per's his lordship in?" he asked. There
| is Jackson's clerk in the library waitin
10 see him and looking that odd I'm halt
inclined to think he's bin drinkin'! And
he's given me this. Is it worth taking
10 his lordship?"
He held out the note as he spoke, and
the other footman examined it carefully
He was right enough when l saw him
I n a.f7fa hIa q G r,lanea
he said; "but ne won't want Barker
foolin' round tonight. He upset him the
last time; said he wouldn't see him again
and he's busy tonight. You'd better wait
bit Give it him when he comes from
| the reception rooms. don't suppose
there's any hurry. Barker always wa.
one for thinking lot of himself"
Roberts looked at him in profound sur
prise
Barker" he cried. That fop with
mud on him? Then there must be sum
mat wrong. And I don't envy you bein
the one 10 take his lordship the news Fl
there is. I suppose you got no ide5
what it's all about?"
| The other shook his head.
NO. but l thought l saw over his shoul
der something about Hetty Lancaster. I
| couldn't be, 1 reckon, but it looked
| like
| He broke off. startled by a movement
and the rustic Of a woman's dress be
| hind the palms. He peered forward, anC
/ Evelyn Walters startled eyes met hi
| own. For an instant her face seemed
! convulsed Then suddenly it steaded.
'Of course. I overheard YOU she said
smiling. you can give me the note /
| you like. and l will give it TO Lord Fan
| Shave.
| She held out her hand. II was perfect
ly steady, and the smile on her lips dix