The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-12-30
MILLIONS OF MISCHIEF
Copyright 1885, by the Newspaper Enterprise ssociation
CHAPTER XXI (Continued).
By HEADON HILL


CHAPTER XXI (Continued).
Then he looked up at me, his
brQtd features breaking into q
slASX almost paternal smile.
II have been comforting the COL
onel," he said, in his most cynical
tone. Let me also comfort you. my
friend. ! have been telling him
that young ladies who wish to pro-
long their-shall we call them
holidays, are sometimes driven to
strange shifts and expedients. In
short, l pointed out to thin that,
far from having met with some dis
aster, his daughter might very we'll
have sent that first telegram her
self, having good reason for not
returning to sleep last night at the
house of the old servant with
whom she was to stay. She might.
for instance, though l did not moot
this to the colonel, be engaged in
trying to pull chestnuts out of a
very hot fire for a sweetheart I'M
able to perform the operation for
himself"
"You devil!" l snarled, guessing
that his impromptu kindness had
had for its object the pumping Of
the colonel.
Herzog continued to smile. you
are rude" he said, for man who
ought to have been hanged the day
before yesterday. Yes. comforted
that invalid warrior, and ! would
have you also take comfort, my gal
liant captain, for / know that your
trouble is the same. After little
discursive talk the colonel cleared
up point that has been puzzling
me by admitting that Miss Janet
knew the notorious Rivington
slightly--is 1t not right to empha-
size that word, my friend?'
You must make what use you
choose OF your cunningly gained
discovery, but expect no informa-
ton from me-" replied sullenly.
He looked at me as though about
to make an angry retort, but
checked whatever he had been
about to say and remained silent
for the rest Of the evening, smok-
ing and evidently thinking deeply.
1t was only as we lit our candles
to 60 upstairs that he flung at me
the remark: you will have cause
to regret your reticence before
many hours are over, Rivington."
you mean that because you
have found out there is an honest
girl who believe in me your plot
against the premier stands re-
vealed as hopeless, and that you
will therefore have me recap
tured?" inquired.
He shook his head almost sadly.
II cannot tell you whence your dan
ger will spring-for the good rea-
son that as yet l do not know" he
answered. mot from me, for In
that case l should fall with you.
This case has been surprise
pacekt all along, but l have not
given up hope yet"
Hope Of what, in all conscience?
/ wondered. as l undressed and pre-
pared for a night of wakeful unrest.
Hope that. guiltless though l was OF
previous crime, l should fulfill the
dreadful mission for which l had
been released rather than be
hanged? If so, he would be griev-
ously disappointed. Or could he
mean that he hoped to save himself
from the consequences of associa-
ton with me during that fateful
week? could not tell. but as l
flung myself on the bed groaned
in spirit at the thought that what
ever hope there might be for him
there was not single ray for me.
1t had begun to rain heavily dur.
Ing the evening. and now the wind
rose, raising swell on the beach
that broke with rhythmical ca
dence which would have lulled me
to sleep at any other time. had
left my window open, and so
gained the full effect of the storm.
Lying wide awake on the bed, l
was watching the ragged clouds
chase each other across the angry
sky, when suddenly the lower half
Of the open window was darkened
by the shape Of human head.
remained perfectly still, staring at
the motionless head and wondering
grimly II after all this was the kind
of danger Herzog had prophesied
for me-. II SO, 1t was a welcome
change from the anticipated knock
at the front door by a posse OF
policemen.
For upward Of two minutes the
head remained as still as l did, and
then II began to shift a little to the
right and left. l knew quite well
what was going on. The owner of
the head, having satisfied himself
that ! was asleep. was endeavoring
to locate my person on the bed.
could not discern his features, be-
cause they were toward the dark
ness OF the room, and such faint