Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-22

INDUCED pocketbook with less valuable belongings
on the table. Then Crampiron, who had learned
practically within the last year how effective search
ing is done, searched Beakbane
Good Go ahead Norah, YOU after me-"
He had the air of conducting expedition of
victory. No one could have surmlsed from his
demeanor that, with Beakbane as a tool, he was
playing for his own life against the revengeful mad
ness of Maurice
through the aperture, which reopened quite
easily, and Norah found herself Immediately at the
top of curving fight of steps. Beakbane had
touched switch, and the steps became family llu
minated by tiny electric lamps. But light not
avishly provided The descending spiral of the
white stone staircase appeared to be lnterminable
actly like all the rest, narrowing to the central
column: it appeared to her that there thou
sands. And still they descended, her father keeping
close to Beakbane, and she keeping close to her
father and no word being spoken by any of them.
Then Beakbane touched another switch, and
Norah long dark tunnel stretching in front of
her. 1t white tunnel, little more than six feet
in height and two feet in width For great distance
this tunnel sloped downward, and then it became
level and through the roof was perceptible faint
radiance. An electric lamp afar off made globe of
yellow in the long, horizontal stretch. They had
already passed seven such lamps.
Where we2" Norah whispered to her father.
Under the lake now he said This takes us
to the boat house. The moon must be very bright"
He pointed upward to the radiance from the roof.
And Norah that the roof here of glass.
lust when they reached the eighth electric lamp,
Beakbane gave gasp.
~ very sorry, Sir, he said; but have left the
key up stairs
Crampron seized his arm, and Intercepted that
face. He satisfied himself at once that the
in agony of fear lest his carelessness should bring
down his shoulders a wrath greater than he
could bear.
Where did you leave it?.
% In the top?"
Yes sir"
Run, rum" Crampiron ordered We'll wait
here And mind no tricks! l may tell you the other
exit IS not in working order.
Beakbane ran, his steps echoing drninuendo
down the tunnel
Crampiron and his daughter proceeded till they
reached short rising fight of steps, at the top of
which could be dimly discerned a wall. The light
at the middle of the subaqueous part of the tunnel
now shone distinctly behind them.
When he comes back said Crampiron you
shall go first, Norah, not Beakbane You can slip
out and see if anyone is about If you do happen to
be seen, no one will suppose you have come out of
the boat house Whereas Beakbane-''
They have been watching the boat house for
weeks; father, said Norah.
Who have?"
The police.
For Beakbane?"
Yes"
And have never caught hirnl Then he must
that way Sit down and rest girl
Several minutes elapsed-ten, perhaps fifteen.
And there was no sign of Beakbane's temperance
in the tunnel.
I'll go and bring him by the scruff of the neck"
Crampiron exclaimed at last n1patiently. Don't
move 49,
MY child he said, quite tenderly You must
obey me. Remember I'm in serious case. Don't
be nisled by my looks into thinking that I'm out
for picnic | am not. Stay here: If have to-do
anything to Beakbane when l meet him, don't
want you to be near. That's all
And he left her alone there sitting obedently on
the stone.
He climbed the spiral staircase, with its hundreds
al at he