Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-06-15
CHAPTER XXXII-Continued.

CHAPTER XXxII-Continued.
THANK heaven! we are now ready,
said Pitt Rivers. $50 good-by forever
to this den of the wolff"
He assisted the ladies into the car
riage, and sprang after them, taking
the seat by Sergia. AS the vehicle
turned from the porch, Miss CarburI
looked back, and saw Mrs. Steele ap'
pear suddenly in the main door, anc
there stand, motionless, sinister, star
ing after the departing carriage.
"Iook-look!" she tried to say, but
her voice was drowned in the rattle OF
the wheels. The horses went out
through the gate.
What curious departure!" exclaim-
ed Sergia. But for Miss Carbury's
presence, one might think guardy, thai
you were running away with me. will
write my farewells to Frances Heron
from town."
"a good ideal" said the colonel
cheerfully. Il understand that your
cousin is absent just now from Heron
croft"
The carriage dashed upon the bridge
Half across 1t, a sudden thought
seemed to strike Pitt Rivers. He
started-thrust his hand into his pock-
ct, then called sharply to Martin:
"Stop!. 1 must go back to Wolfsden
In my haste I have left my purse be-
hind me. What a bore! Wait here
with the ladies, Martin, will be with
you again directly"
Martin drew up to one side of the
bridge, and the colonel alighted.
Forgive my stupidity" he said to
the ladies. Even with this delay, we
have time enough to reach the station
1t is fortunate that we started early"
The next moment he was striding
back over the bridge to Wolfsden-
alone.
The distance was short, and the col
onel walked rapidly. When he reached
the entrance gate, a man who had been
waiting there in the shelter OF the
chestnut trees stepped promptly out to
meet him. This latter person carried
a dim lantern in one hand, and wore
his hat pulled down over his eyes.
"Joe!" said the colonel
"Yes, SIR" answered Joe Bagley.
Come into the hall, and stay by till
1 need you. Has the housemaid left
the premises yet?"
Half an hour ago. There's no spy
anywhere about"
Bagley hid his light under the skirt
of his coat, and followed Pitt Rivers up
to the porch. Apparently the two were
neither strangers nor enemies.
Maybe Maisie has locked you out,
sir" muttered the Blackbird, as he
made a hurried survey of the dark front
Of the house.
mo, for I took the precaution to re-
move the keys" answered Rivers.
He pushed open the door, and went
in, tiptoe. AS he did so, Bagley thrust
into his hand a cambria handkerchief
and bottle, with the cork half drawn.
The hall was empty and dark-like-
wise the drawing-room; but In the IL
brary a light shone. Following its
guiding gleam, the colonel advanced
softly, and looked in.
Mrs. Steele was there, divested both
of spectacles and gray puffs. She had
placed a lamp. on the floor, and was
down on her knees before it, turning
over the contents of a drawer which
she had taken from the writing table
AS sight Of the dark figure on the
threshold she uttered a sharp cry.
You have come back!"
Yes, Maisie," he answered, ap-
preaching her with a smile on his
handsome lips; Il knew you too well
to trust you-don't you see? Like Jael
you are, under certain circumstances,
capable Of any treachery. Even now
1 find you hunting for my private pa
pers. Did you, then, suppose that
would leave anything here to compro-
mise myself?"
She leaped to her feet, quivering with
a swift premonition Of danger. AS he
approached, she retreated. From her
trembling hands the papers went flying
in all directions.
Keep away!" she cried, wildly
you mean me harm-I see 1t in your
eyes! Perhaps you have come back
to kill me. This 1 say to you-if you
marry that girl, your destruction Is
sure. Will she work for you-plan-
execute-help in a hundred ways, as
have done? Will she love you as
love you? Be warned in time-if you
go away with her, 1t is the last Of your
wonderful luck"
Without word, he snatched the cork
from the bottle which Bagley had CIV
en- him, and caught her suddenly around
her plant waist. She fought fiercely
but in vain. He pressed the saturated
handkerchief closely upon her face, and
held it there till she ceased to struggle
Then he called: Joel"
The ugly face of the Blackbird ap-
peared in the door.
"Is she ready, sir?" he asked, with
q grin.
"Yes-take her up"
Bagley lifted Mrs. Steele in his arms
The colonel mounted the stair with the
lantern, and the Blackbird followed
bearing the inanimate housekeeper
Up one flight they went-up another
to the top of the house-to that Blue
beard chamber which Sergia Pole anc
her friend Hazel had once invaded, and
where they had found the beautifu
tools, and the strange variety Of male
costumes. Those things were now
gone; in their place a shabby sofa and
a single chair had been set against the
wall. Bagley dropped Mrs. Steele un-
tremendously upon the sofa. and toss
ed the handkerchief off her corpse
like face.
Poor Maisie!" he muttered: "at her
time of life she ought to know better
than to cut up like a school girl"
Then he stepped back into the pas
sage where Rivers stood, frowning, inn
patient. The colonel locked the door
and gave the key to Bagley.