The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1908-08-07
CHAPTER vi.
Lady Ellen Takes Flight.


Now, will you tell me your plans?"
began Strathgate as the three descend
ed to the mall.
I'VE must have horses and ve-
hicle Of some kind" she said.
Would not a post chaise do?'
There are three of us, my lord
answered Ellen.
Il see," returned the earl, who was
very much annoyed and put out by
the infection of this third party in
what he had fondly hoped would be a
tete-a-tete flight.
There was no help for it, however.
He trusted to fortune to assist him
to dispose of Mistress Deborah later.
Where shall we get this carriage?"
In the stables, of course"
She was thoroughly familiar with
the lay of the land and the location
of the stables. The coachman, who
was unmarried, slept in a house by
himself. Entrance was easy since
the door was not locked
Let me do the talking" said
Strathgate. 'He won't recognize you
if you stay back here in the dark
ness"
Very WELL" assented Ellen as the
earl stepped over to the bed and
roughly shook the coachman, who
opened his eyes to find himself star
ing into the muzzle of a pistol.
Lie still. l want to borrow a pair
and a carriage from your master. I'm
driving far tonight and l want a good
pair. No, you are not to bother about
hitching them up. l simply wished to
tell you the facts so you won't make
any trouble"
! He opened his mouth to cry out.
Strathgate showed his pistol barrel
closer to him, truculently remarking:
'If you make a sound, I'll blow out
your brains. Now, do you under
stand? / don't intend to steal the
horses. You'll find them well at some
wayside inn 20 miles from here. Mean
while, we will have to tie you up and
gag you"
Very well, my lud," returned Hig-
ginbotham, to whom the shining
weapon was a powerful persuader.
(which are the best pair for travel
ing, / wonder?" queried the earl as
he, Ellen and Deborah surveyed the
long row of stalls.
Il have heard my lord say that the
bays were the most reliable horses
he had"
"The bays it'll be, then" said Strath-
gate.
He quickly selected the harness, led
out the bays and in few moments
the two were attached to light trav-
cling carriage.
Where now?" said Strathgate when
all the preparations had been COM
pleted.
I'VE are going to Portsmouth, as
think ] told you, my lord"
Strathgate was an expert whip and
he found no difficulty in keeping the
spirited horses going quietly over the
grassy turf which bordered the drive
say and as he had predicted, they got
past the house without making a
sound. But one obstacle remained be-
tween them and freedom-the lodge
keeper and the lodge gate. Ellen had
forgotten It until they had gone some
thing like a quarter Of a mile through
the park, when she suddenly thrust
her head out of the window Of the
carriage and called it to Strathgate's
attention.
Let me attend to that" returned
the earl, confidently. Il have plan.
Do you keep close and let the curtains
be drawn"
He drove close to the wall Of the
Iodgekeeper's cottage. hammered on
the window with the butt of his whip,
and when that functionary appeared,
strathgate boldly avowed his name
and title and said that he was riding
forth on a wager with my lord; that
he would be back in the morning