The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-06-04

more before these gentlefolk.'' There was bustling without and some loud talking, and Pike smiled wanly.
 'T think them gentlefoIk are here" he said. As he spoke the door was thrown open, and Lady Creech hur- riedly entered, followed by the count ess, Horace, AImeric and the earl. The latter bowed sardonically to Pike, and Lady Creech hurried to Ethel with a. cry of astonishment. My dear child! What are you doing here in this dreadful place with this dreadful personf~ she demanded shrilly.
 My dear. Les covenancesr cried madame.
 ''Ethel! I am surprised! Come away at oncep' demanded Horace. ,eaa "Oh, I say, you know, Miss Ethel reallyy' echoed Aimeric. "You- can't stay here, you knowr' Pike stopped them with gesture and said:
 T'm her guardian, and she's here by my authority, and, what's more, sheM stay by my authority" Horace turned to the earl. "Lord Hawcastle, will you insist upon NfAal's leaving? It's quite on the cards we shall have disagreeabie scene here.v Hawcastle smiled evilly. 'T see no reason for it. We're here simply for MT Pike's answer. He knows where he stands, and he knows where we stand" !" said the earl euave- ly, and the American met his smile evenly.
 T reckon you're right so far," he said rSsa,s. ,-.q And your answer will be yesT" asked the earl, but Pike shook his head.
 You're wrong there," he answered, and Newcastle changed front in an instant.
 Perhaps you are right, MT. Gran ger-Simpson," he said. "There may be painful things done Better your sister were spared them. Take her away"
 Pike snapped at them all and moved to the door, where he faced them.
 Miss Ethel, youn stay right where you arer' he commanded, and, paying no attention, Pike turned to Hawcas- tie. ss
 You're here for an answer, you sayr
 "Yes," answered the earl, after an instant's pause, and Dan went closer to him. .,
 'An answer to what?' he demanded, looking the other in the eye
 "An answer to our request that you accede to the wishes of this young lady" replied the earl uneasily
 "And if don't what are you going to dor" demanded Pike quickly. Hor- ace at once broke in.
 Ethel, you must goi" he implored. But Pike waved him to silence.
 'sTell her. Why do you come here sure of the answer you want2" he in- sisted savagely.
 "A gentleman would spare her that" said Newcastle, with uneasi- ness, and the American laughed.
 "I won'tr' he snapped. Speak outi Why?" But the earl would not an- swer directly, so Pike turned to Ethel.
 'This afternoon I tried to help 8 poor devil, a broken down Russian running away from Siberia, vi e he'd been for nine years"
 Ethel half rose in her chair and faced him eagerly.
 "A poor, weak thing" he went l, "hounded like you've seen rat in the gutter by dogs and bootblacks. Some of your friends here saw us bring him into ttts apartment. They know we've got him here now. If I don't agree to hand over you and $750,000 of the money John Simpson made it means that the man I tried to help goes back to Siberia and I go to an Italian jail for two years or as much more as they can make it." Nonsense" cried Hawcastle. But Ethel waved him aside and turned, with whitening look on Pike.
 'T knew you had some further hu- initiation in store for me. Do you think would believe that an English nobleman would stoop'- Pike interrupted her ruthlessly and bitterly.
 "Stoop?' he cried. "Why, ten years ago in St. Petersburg there was poor devil of a revolutionist who in his ey for the cause he believed in. He made the mistake of keeping that money in the house. when this man. he pointed to Hawcastle-'knew it was there. He also made the mistake of having a wife this man coveted and stole. as be coveted and stole the mon- ey. Oh, he made good job of iti Don't think that tonight is the nfst lime he has given infernatto.. te tho