Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1908-06-12
ICoNTINUEp.]

in the hall behind them doomed out
the hour of in solemn, measured
cadence, and as the last echo died away
they heard a cautious tapping on the
window pane.
ooh, Lord, It's him!' gasped limo
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-hr her friend admonished.
Don't speak above a whisper now.
Leave 1t to me. There; I'm not afraid"
Miss Renwyck. having once keyed
her nerves to the point of meeting
stranger in the dark, was not woman
to falter in the crucial moment. A
sense Of calm was settling upon her.
and, though her heart beat faster than
was its 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 a little lion. and
the man is only 'Roddy- poddykins.'
She wondered afterward at this flash
of humor, yet it CHANGED 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 failed
Miss Renwyck crossed the room, fun
bled an instant for the electric switch.
then turned off the burglar alarm.
She dared not make light lest 1t be
noticed if any one came into the upper
hall. Then, breathing an inward pray
er, she Unattached the window, raised
the sash and stepped backward to a
point of vantage beside the desk.
At first she saw nothing. but present
ly found herself enveloped for an In
slant in flash of light from a small
bullseye lantern and heard low ex-
clamation of surprise from the dark
ness outside. Harriet rose to the emer-
gency.
"Mr. Fitzgeorge," she began in a
guarded undertone, II am Miss Rem
wyck Besides Miss Chttendon and
myself, there Is no one here"
There was silence for q moment.
"Do you give me your word on
that?" asked the voice.
IT do"
ION your honor as a ladyT
"On my honor"
The light flashed out, and the head
and shoulders of man appeared
above the window SILL
"Waitw commanded Harriet. Are
. you alone?'
"Sure." said the man; "you can see
. for yourself. Miss Renwyck," and
thereupon he climbed cautiously into
the room.
He turned his bullseye carefully
about, cursorily inspected the hall out.
side, appeared satisfied and slipped
his lantern into his pocket.
"Ah!' said the visitor as he caught
sight of Miss Imogene's bloodless face
you didn't 60 back on me. my dear
didn't think you would, and I am
much obliged to you"
"Stop!" said Harriet. you must
ronduct this transaction with me
Imogene. is this Mr.-Fitzgeorge?
Eyes !" faltered the shivering young
lady. "It's-it's he"
VERY WELL" Miss Renwyck began
again. "Then we needn't waste fur
Their time. If you have the letters you
spoke off,
, "Wait a minute" the man interrupt
l ed. "We can't talk in here. It's toe
near the front of the stairs, and dom
want to run any unnecessary risk:
< either for you ladies' or for myself
What room does that door lead to-"
He pointed to the left. while Har
riet, following his shadowy gesture
wondered If he were up to some craft
trick.
"Mr. Fitzgeorge" she said II pre-
Ter to transact this matter where W
are. ] see no reason
Again the man interrupted her.
"Al right" he answered carelessly
lit isn't my risk. you know If you
= father came down those stairs sui
: denly might have to shoot; that's al
don't want to injure him. of cours
but
ooh, Harriet, please" moaned
- shrinking voice at her elbow, and Ha
riet, seeing the wisdom of the NOV
gave in.
THAT is the billiard ROOM" she al
swered but it also connects with Il
"a hall. Stand where you are, and whe
Il you hear me call you may follow N
rs Come. Imogene."
This room was lighter than the
brary, having large transom windo'
| through which the sickly moonlig
forced its way, and possessed an ado
/ tional adNanta pn To the girls by re