Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-02-07

It. When all defenses have been
broken down one barrier won't save
the town" Laughing again, he laid
his hand on the others arm. Come"
he said, give your orders. ! capitu-
late"
An hour later the two men passed
from Loder's bedroom. where the final
arrangements had been completed,
back into the sitting room. Loder
came first in faultlcSs evening dress.
His hair was carefully brushed, the
clothes he Wore fitted him perfectly.
TO any glance critical or casual, he
was the man who had mounted the
stairs and entered the rooms earlier
In the evening Chicote's manner of
walking and poiSe of the head seemed
TO have descended upon him with Chill
cotes clothes. lie came into the room
hastily and passed to the desk
Il have no private papers," he said,
$50 l have nothing to lock up. Every
thing can stand as it Is A woman
named Robins comes in the mornings
to clean up and light the fire: other
wise you must shift for yourself. No
body will disturb you. Quiet, dead
quiet, Is about the one thing you can
count on"
Chilcote. half halting In the door
way, made an attempt to laugh. or
the two he was noticenb bly, the. more
embarrassed. In Loder's we'll worn,
well brushed tweed suit he felt strand.
ed on his own personality, bereft for
the moment of the familiar accessories
that helped to cloak deficiencies and
keep the wheel of conventionality COM
fortaby rolling. He stood unpleasant
ly conscious of himself. unable to
shape his sensations even In thought.
He glanced at the fire, at the table,
finally at the chair on which he had
thrown his overcSat before entering
the bedroom. At the sight Of the coat
his gaze frightened, the aimlessness
forsook him, and he gave an exclama-
ton of relief.
by Jove" he said. II clean for
got"
"What?' Loder looked round.
"The rings He crossed to the coat
and thrust his hand into the pocket
THE duplicates arrived only this after
noon--the nick of time, chg He spoke
fast his fingers searching busily. De-
cupatlon Of any kind came as boon.
Loder slowly followed him. and as
the box was brought to light he leaned
forward interestedly.
''As told you. one is the copy of an
Old signet ring. the other plain band
a plain gold hand like 4 wedding
ring Chilcote laughed as he placed
the four rings side by side ON his
palm. II could think Of nothing else
that would he wide and not ostenta.
tious. You know how ! detest dis.
play"
Loder touched the rings you have
good taste" he said. Lets see II
they serve their purpose" He picked
them up and carried them to the lamp.
Chllcote followed him. That was
an ugly wound he said, his curiosity
reawakeninG as Loder extended his
finger How did you come by it,
The other smiled. ITS a mcmento,"
he said
"Of bravery"
"No; quite the reverse" He looked
again at his hand, then glanced back
at Chilcote. No" he repeated, with
an unusual impulse of confidence. 1T
serves to remind me that am not OK
empt-that | have been fooled like
other men
THAT implies woman
YES" Again Loder looked at the
scar on his finger II seldom recall the
thing, it's SO absolutely past But I
rather like to remember it tonight. I
rather want you to know that I've been
through the fire. It's sort of guaran.
| tee"
Chicote made a hasty gesture. but
the other interrupted il.
"Oh. ! know you trust me. But you're
giving me Il risky post. | want you to
quite out Of it,"
But, my dear chap
Iodor went on without needing.
This thing happened eight years ago
at Santasalare." he said, "a little place
between Luna and PlstOra-a mere
| handful OF houses wedCed between two
hills; n regular relic OF old Italy crum-
| bling away under flowers and sunshine,
| with nothing TO suggest the present
century except the occasiOnnl passing
| Of train round the base of one of the
hills. ] had literally stumbled upon the
place on long tramp south fror
| Switzerland and had been tempted int
a stay at the little inn, The night after
my arrival something unusual occur
red. There was an accident to tic
train at the point whore Z ekirted the
village.
There was small excitement. Az
the inhabitants were anxious to help,
and took my share. AS a matter OF
fact, the smash was not disastrous;
the passengers were hurt and fright
ened, but nobody was killed"
He paused and looked at his compan-
lon but seeing him Interested, went
on.
among these passengers was an
English lady. or all concerned in the
business, she was the least upset. When
came upon her she was sitting on the
shattered door OF one of the carriages
calmly arranging her hat, On seeing
me she looked up with the most charm
ing smile imaginable.
go have Just been waiting for some
body like you she said My stupid