Putnam patriot., 1908-05-01

friend would have declined pelat elaas to take the risk
 -lmosene. she murmured earnestly. sit fs not too late to change our nisns Ne stiil have ten minutes left. Why not let me call father and tel him everxfhlnss He and I-ord CroyIand aud Mir. Van der Awe eeah meet the man. overpower him and get yeur let- ters back. aud nothing would ever come CT 1t"
 Al this sensible sugseStioa Miss Imegene again exhibited symptoms Of hysteria
 "0h. Harriet. darling please" she quavered. you've promised the, Aud you can't refuse when it's nearly time. I'm not going to faint or scream or anything like that. Fl he just as brave as a-a-lion-ue. not a lion. maybe. but some other kind of animal that isn't so terribly afraid You needn't be scared. I'll take care of yen. Hattie. dear Now. do he sensible Isn't il time to Gos"
 Miss Harriet looked at the timepIeee nodded sighed and took the others hand They opened the bedroom door peeped out and listened Nothing could be heard hnt the ticking Of the hall clock. the sound of the wind outside and mellow suore that eezed from MT. Renwyck's room across the hall.
 Fl wish he'd stop it." whispered fmogene: .it makes ones hat rise up. Don't let go my hand. darllng-please.n
 .Hush.s breathed Harriet and ied the way along the silent upper hall
 Slowly the two gentle eanspiraters tipped down the gloomy stairs. start ing at cracking step beneath their feet. fearful of dangers unknown. but menaeing. that seemed to turk at every turn. In safety they reached the lower hall at last. paused. then drew aside the heavy portieres which masked the entrance to the library.
 If the hall outside was gloomy. the room which they entered was darker still. By sickiy light which filtered through the draperies of the window opposite they could see the shadewy outlines of the desk. the top of a silver inkstand and ghostly high backed chair. while in m angle of the wall they deserted the metal disk of the combination lock on Mir. Renwyck' $ safe.
 They waited in silence till the clock in the hall behind them boomed out the hour of 2 in solemn. measured cadence. and as the last echo died away they heard cautious tapping on the window pane.
 "oh. Lord, it's him." gasped Inc gene. forgetting grammar and all else. indeed. except her human terror in the situation. while she chung to Harriet's arm and shook from head to heel Don't tremble so. Harriet. darling You-you make we want to scream
 "S=s-s-h.' her friend admonished. Leave it to me. There; I'm not afraid" ,"
 Miss Renwyck. having once keyed her nerves to the point of meeting q stranger in the dark. was not woman te fater in the crucial moment. \ sense of calm was settling upon her. and. though her heart beat faster than Nas it's wont. she was now in posses sion of her every faculty and could face the danger without a tremor of her voice or hand
 You keep the purse," she whispered to Imogene Stand where you are and don't speak a single word. Really. dear there isn't much danger. after all. Yet remember" she smiled, you have promised to be little lion. and the man is only 'Roddy -poddykins.'
 She wondered afterward at this flash of humor, yet 1t chanced to be the saving grace, for the terrified Miss Imogene was crouched in the library doorway, striving at once to be the king of beasts and to keep her teeth from chattering In both efforts. alas. she railed
 Miss Renwyek crossed the room. fnm- bled an instant for the electric switch. then turned of the burglar alarm. She dared not make light. lest it be noticed If any one came into th. upper hall. Then. breathing an inward pray er she uniatched the window. raised the sash and stepped back ward to Il point of vantage beside the desk.
 Al first she saw nothing. but present. ly found herself enveioped for an in sfant in flash of light from small bHIlsege lantern and heard low ex clamation of surprise from the dark. ness outside. Harriet rose to tue emer- gency.
 "Mr Fitzgeorge" she began in a guarded undertone. "T am Miss Req. wyek Besides Miss Cbittendon and myself. there is no one here"
 There was silence for q moment.
 Do you give me your word on thatT' asked the voice.
 "I do."
 "On your honor as ladyY
 "On my honor"
 The light flashed out. and the head and shoulders of man appeared above the window sill.
 Walt" commanded Harriet Are you alone?''
 Sure said the man: you can see for yourself Miss Renwyek." and thercupon he climbed cautiously into the room
 He turned his bullseye carefully about. cursorily inspected the hail out side. appeared satisfied and slipped his lantern into his pocket.
 An said the visitor as he caught light Of Miss Iniogepe's bloodless face You didn't go tack on me. my dear. didn't think you would. and am much obliged to you"
 stop" said Harriet. You must conduct this transaction with me. fmogene k this -Fitzgeorgef"
 '.Y-e-s = falfercd ihe saIxee1ug young