Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1909-06-24


WE'LL" she said HE is one of my
most especial friends. But what is it,
Michael? Why have you brought
Capt. Marriott here? Does he know
something's"
The tense eagerness Of her voice
seemed to go into the air of the room
like a knife.
Capt. Marriott has most extraor-
binary story to tell you, duchess. +"
said Michael Grant.
About my boy? About my boy?'
1T iii most extraordinary story"
Grant continued gravely. capt. Mar
riott, tell the duchess what you saw
Il will tell you as briefly as 1 pos
sibly can, Duchess" Marriott replied.
II was coming back from a party
knowing nothing of the dukes disap-
pearance, of course-a little after
o'clock this morning. turned into
Piccadilly, and | was almost opposite
4 your house. I stopped, because a
most extraordinary thing was happen
ing. A long, black object, like bun
die, was swinging backwards and for
wards in the middle air. on the level
of the first or second floor of the
house, l cannot say which. 1t was
swinging backwards and forwards
just as a great hay coart, apparently
4 going towards Covent garden, came
opposite the house
j "Then the thing fell on the top Of
the cart, almost as if it had been
thrown there. Whatever it was, it
was thing of about four or five feet
in length.
''Just as was about to investigate,
some one came noiselessly up behind
me and struck me a violent blow upon
the back Of the head l became un-
conscious at once, and knew nothing
more until woke up this morning at
midday in st. Georges hospital"
The duchess rose from her chair,
and trembled like a reed in the wind.
ooh, what dark thing is this?" she
i said. what is this? What dark
thing is this?"
She looked searchingly at Marriott
| for moment ,swayed more violently,
and cried out in high-pitched voice.
leaning towards Michael Grant, and
then with gasp she fell senseless
into his arms
Ring the bell, MARRIOTT Grant
said, and as he did so his face wore
a look of appealtowards his new-found
1 friend. It was an expression which
| showed that, unwittingly, he had al
lowed the newcomer to catch a
1 glimpse of most sacred and intimate
companionship. 1t showed also that
| he relied upon the honor and chivalry
of a brother gentleman to say nothing
of this to the world
/ Capt Marriott rang the bell.
Hardly had the button been pressed
than the French maid came hurrying
/ in.
I. AS she arrived Michael Grant was
supporting the Duchess, and now
passed the inanimate form to the
French woman. 1t was hardly done
when the duchess opened her eyes.
Il have been very silly" she said
"Oh, Michael! Michael" Once more
she said, Michael! You have brought
me news!"
rich and beautiful room.
i The duchess lay back upon the sofa.
The frightened maid stood attendant
4 upon her. The two men waited.
neither knowing what to do nor how
to explain more than they already
done.
But dc not see what it all
means!" the duchess said-piteously
lovely, beautifully piteous. "Oh, but
do not see what 1t all means!
Where is my poor little boy? Why
was tt Oh, what was 1t that Capt.
Marriott saw? What does this mean 2"
Then Basil Marriott spoke.
His face was singularly hard and
stern. It seemed cut and carved like
q face Of marble. His voice came
from him in jerks, as II the very
words were expelled from his throat
against his inclination.
Your grace he said, and his voice
was harsh and rasping like the voice
Of raven. '.Your grace He
SWALLOWED seemed unable to 20 on
recovered himself and continued
Your grace, is 1t not possible that.
before we talk any more, we could
see Miss Decies, your grace's aunt?"
The duchess looked at him with
Wild and troubled eyes.
Oh, she said. Yes. perhaps-per
haps Aunt Augusta might be able to
help us-I will send for Aunt Au.
gussa!" III ssssa
Each Of the three persons there
4 looked at the other two With anxious
eyes. Nor did any one Of them know
! what the next moment might bring
i forth.
The next moment proved to be sin
i gularly dramatic.
Remington. the major domo and
4 head Of the vast household, appeared
4 He burst into the room. His face was
4 pale as linen. s.
ouis grace. he said to the duch-
ess, Miss Decies has been gone from
4 me house since 10 o'clock this morn.
ling. Your grace, his grace, the duke
y of Perth and Sir Anthony HELLER. are