The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1909-11-05
The BEtra al
CHAPTER xxxvIII.-Continued
eY e. PHILLIPS oPpENHEIM
Copyright, 1905. By D0dd,. Mead q ca.

CHAPTER xxxvIII.--Co Continued
l almost felt her warm breath as
she stole past me. caught CLEAN
of a pale face, sufficient to tell
me who she was. She passed on
and took up her stand outside that
small end window.
|, too, crept nearer to 1t. About
a. yard away there was projection
of the front. l stole into the. deep
corner and waited. A few feet from
me / knew that she, too, was walt
ing.
Half an hour, perhaps an hour,
passed. Then heard the opening
of the window by the side of which
l was leaning. Through the raised
sash there came hand. holding a
packet of some sort, and out of
the darkness came another hand
eagerly stretched out to receive 1t.
| brushed it ruthlessiy aside. tore
the packet from the fingers which
suddenly strove to retain 1t, and
with my other hand | caught the
arm a little above the wrist.
heard the flying footsteps of my
fellow-watcber, but did not even
turn round. A fierce JOY was In
my heart. Now l was to know
The veil of mystery which had
hung over the doings at Brastel
was to be swept aside. l stopped
down till my eyes were within Q
few inches of the hand. l pass
ed my fingers over it. l felt 8
ring
Then l remember only that mao
headlong flight back across the
park, where the very air seemed
full of sobbing, hooking voices
and the ground beneath my fee
swayed and heaved. l could no
even think cOherently. l heard thu
motor go tearing down the rOa(
past me, and come to a standstil
at the turn. Still l had no though
of any danger. It never occurred
to me to leave the footpath ant
make my way back to the Brand
as | might we'll have done by {
more circuitous route. l kept OF
the footpath, and just as reached
the little iron gate which led int
the spinney l felt a mans arm sud
denly flung around my neck. anl
with jerk l was thrown almos
off my feet.
HE is here, madame" l heard {
low voice say. Take the paper.
from him. have him safe.''
+ think that my desperate humol
lent me more than my usua
strength. With a fierce effort
wrenched myself free. Almost i'm
mediately l heard the click of
revolver.
IF you move" a low voice said
Il fire!" -
What do you want?" l askeds 70
"The papers,"
laughed bitterly.
Are they worth my life?"
asked.
THE lives of dozen such as
you." the man answered. Quick!
Hand them over"
Then l heard a little cry from
the woman who had been standing
q few feet off. In the struggle |
had lost my cap. and faint watery
moon, half hidden by ragged
bank of black clouds, was shining
weakly down upon us.
Guy" she cried, and her voice
was shaking as though with terror,
Guy, is that you?"
lost my self control l forgot
her sex. forgot everything except
that she was responsible for this
unspeakable corruption. said ter
rible things to her. And she listen
ed, acknowledgements. When
I had finished she signed to the
man to leave us. He hesitated, but
with more peremptory gesture
she dismissed him.
Guy" she said. you have not
spared me. Perhaps ] do not de-
serve 1t. Now listen. The whole
thing Is at an end. Those few pa
pers are all we want. Your father
Is already in France. l am leaving
at once. Give me those papers and
you will be rid of US forever. II
YOU do not, ! must stay on until
have received copies Of portion
Of them, at any rate. You know
very well now that can do this
Give me those that you have. II
will be safer--in every way"
&c them to your answered
scorr. lily. Are you serious?"
Very serious. Guy. Do you not
see that the sooner 1t Is all over
the better-the safer--up therey'
She pointed towards the house.
could have struck the white fingers
with their loathsome meaning.
II shall take this packet to Lord
Chelsford." l said. II am down