Charlevoix county herald., 1908-08-08
CHAPTER XXI.
At the Bidding of the Unknown.

swering word a man appeared from
the obscurity
"All safe?" inquired.
IT'S all right" said Barkhouse.
There's dozen men in the barroom,
and I'm not sure there amt some of
the hounds amongst them. But you're
to go in the side door, and right up
stairs"
Two of you may keep at the foot
of the stairs, just inside the door," l
said. you may stand watch outside,
Barkhouse."
There was sound of rude song, and
the clink of glass and bottle in the
bar and dining room as l passed
through the side hall. But the door
was closed, and l saw nothing of the
late jewellers. In the upper hallway
Mother Borton stood by an open door,
silhouetted dark and threatening
against the dim chickering's that came
from the candle in the room behind
her.
had but opened my mouth to give
her word of greeting when she raised
warning claw, and then Selling me
drew me swiftly into the room and
closed and locked the door.
How air we, dearie?" she said, sur.
veying me with some apparent pride.
You're safe and whole, amt ye?"
Il am safe," l said, though / had
a close shave in Chinatown"
II heerd Of it," said Mother Borton
sourly. Il reckon it amt much good
to sit up nights to tell you how to take
keer of yourself. It's wonder you
ever growed up. Your nanny must
"a been mighty keerful about herein
we under cover whenever it rained."
Il was little to blame" admitted,
but your warning was not thrown
away. l thought l was well-guarded."
Mother Borton shifted contemptu-
ously.
81 s'pose you come down here
alone?"
NO" And l explained the disposi
ton of my forces.
That's not so bad" she said. They
could git up here soon enough, reck-
on, If there was row. But l guess
you didn't think l sent for We jest to
tell we you was fool in Chinatown"
l admitted that l should have ex-
pected to wait till morning for such
a piece of information.
Well" said Mother Borton, that
amt it. Something's up"
and what might it be?" inquired
+ 1.-THE moon?"
Mother Borton did not take this
tiippancy kindly. Her face grew dark
er and more evil as it was framed in
the dancing shadows behind her.
You can git knife in we as cas-,
as winking if III jest keep my mouth
shut" she cried spitefully.
YES" said l repentantly, putting
my hand upon her arm. But you
are my very good friend, and will tell
me what | ought to know"
The creatures face lighted at my
tone and action, and her eyes melted
with new feeling.
THAT l will" she said; that l will.
as if you were my own boy
She seized my hand and held it as
she spoke and looked intently or my
face.
Il was a-listening to EN-" she con-
tinued in low, earnest tone, glancing
around fearfully as if she had the
thought that some one else might be
listening in turn. II was a-listening,
an l heerd what they says"
"Who said?" 1 inquired.
"The ones you knows on" she re-
turned mysteriously.
What ones?" l persisted, though l
supposed she meant to indicate some
of my energetic enemies.
Mother Borton paid no attention to
my question, and continued:
Il knowed they was a-talking about
you, an they says they would cut your
liver out if they found We there"
"And where is there?" l asked with
growing interest.
That's what l was listening to fine
out" said Mother Borton. Il couldn't
hear much Of what they says, but /
hears enough to git an idea"
She bent forward and Kissed rather
than whispered:
They've found out where the boy
isl"
Are you certain" l asked in sud
den alarm.
Pretty sure" she said, pretty sure
Now you won't go near the place, will
We, dearie?" she continued anxiously.
"You forget that 1 haven't the first
idea where the boy is hidden" / re-
turned.
ooh, Lord, yes. reckon my minds
going" grunted Mother Borton. but
I'm afeard of their knives for ye."
81 wish / could give warning" said
!, much disturbed by the information.
THE protector of the boy ought to
know about this. I'm afraid l have
done wrong"
Mother Borton looked at me fxedly.
Don't you worry, my dear. She'll
know about IL all right"