The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-06-02
(Continued.l CHAPTER XIV.
BLACKMAIL.

HIKE was still standing with the
 letter in his hand, looking after
 Ethel, when he awoke to the
 realization of what her words meant to him. She had given her promise, and she did not mean that anything in the world should make her revoke it. That promise was sacred to her, just as if it had been spoken before clergyman.
 In his heart Pike knew he would have to give in if he was to make her happy, and yet he knew that in mak- ing her temporarily happy he would be making her eternally miserable. If he could have the strength to hold out against her and refuse to sanction the marriage he knew the crew of aristocrats would never accept her without the cash, and that by the terms of John Simpsons will could never be theirs without his consent.
 Of his own hopes he could see but the fainteet glimmering. He had ir- retrievably offended the girl, and she would hate him all her life for it, he feared. Ills entrance into her new phase of life had been unfortunate. His continuance in it was little else than an insult, according to her way of thinking. And Jim Cooley, whom he had trusted to find the flaw in the Hawcastle escutcheon that he knew had existed, had failed him miserably. The lawyer felt that he was a long way from home. He sighed and turned to where the sun was sinking in a haze of red across the bay. Then he heard the voice of Horace and chim- ing with it the cultured accents of Lord Hawcastle. Apparently they were coming to seek him. She had reiterated his refusal.
 Wearily he turned again to the au- tomobile and leaned against it. As he did so he heard Horace say:
 But Ethel says MT. Pike positively refuses"
 In return he heard Hawcastle reply:
 "Leave him to me. In ten minutes he will be as meek as a lamb"
 Dumbly Pike wondered what fresh argument the earl had to offer and mentally steeled himself against it. As he looked up he encountered the steady glare of the earl.
 My dear Pike" began the latter, 'there is a csDtain question:
 'T said would not discuss that with you. I meant what said," observed Daniel quietly.
 This is another question:" went on the other, needless qf the warning or at least unaffected by it.
 Late this afternoon I developed a great anxiety concerning the penalty prescribed by Italian law for those for tunate and impulsive individuals who connive at the escape or concealnent of certain unfortunates who are want ed by the police"
 Daniel looked at him, with a smile
 ''6o you're all worked up about that, are you?" Newcastle glared at him, but went on.
 ''Se deeply that I ascertained the penalty for it. For the person whose kind heart has so betrayed him the penalty is two years in prison, and Italian prisons, I am credibly informed, are-unpleasant"
 Pike ruminated and folded his letter.
 "Being in jail a1n't much like an Eaks' carnival" he observed.
 Even a citizen of your admirable country could not escape if his com plicity were proved-f he were caught in the act. I will be plain with you"
 These last words had an ominous note. "Let us imagine that a badly wanted man appeared upon the per gola here and made ap appeal to one of your countrymen who, for the pur- poses of argument, Is at work upon this car. Say that the too amiable American concea1s the fugitive under the automobile and afterward, with the connivance of a friend, deceives the officers of the law and shelters the criminal, say, in . room of that lower suit there"
 He looked about in the growing twi- light and pointed dramatically to the window. Pike, now thoroughly inter ested and with his pulse beating c rapid tattoo, followed his fngeR The earl went on:
 -Tmagfne, for instance, that the shad- ow which appears upon that curtain wore that of the wanted man Would you not agree then to a reasonable re- Quest?"
 Daniel swallowed painfully. for he saw in some manner that that sway ing window curtain which had caught his eye an hour ago had held a dis einct menace. It seemed too bad that this should be the end of it an-all the defenses he had raised for the girl of his dead friend should be swept away in an instant by a bit of folly.
 What would be the nature of that request?" he asked.
 "It would concern a certain alliance might concern a certain settlement g the earl replied softly.
 "If the request were refused, what would the consequences bel" Pike went on, with lowered eyes, for he would not trust himself to meet those of the nobleman.
 Two years at least in prison for the American"
 Looks bad for-that American, eh?' Pike inquired whimsically. Lord Hawcastle stepped close to