Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1909-11-03
CHAPTER XVII.
THE PURSUIT.

n lEPPINGHAM sprang to his feet
with fierce oath on his lips.
HUI His usually lusterless eyes were
~ cleaning with something more
than despair. There was the wild
light Of unmistakable relief in them.
1t was as If horrid doubt had been
scaled from the soul Of Lady Depping.
hams husband.
I'VE must followw shouted his lord
ship, preparing to lower himself into
the jagged opening. I'VE may be in
timer
.'stop. Deppinghamw cried Chase,
leaping to his side. Don't rush blind
ly into trap like that. They've got
an hour or more start of us. Moth
ing will be accomplished by rushing
into an ambush. They'd kill us like
rats. Rasula is sagacious scoundrel.
He'll not take the entire responsibility.
There will be council of oil the head
men. It will be Of no advantage to
them to kill the heirs unless. they are
sure that we won't live to tell the tale.
They will go slow now that they have
the chief obstacles to victory in their
hands,"
"If they will give her up to me 1 will
guarantee that Lady Agnes shall re-
linquish all claim to the estate" an
nounced the harassed husband.
''They won't do that, old man. Prom
ises won't tempt Them" protested
Chase. We've got to do what we can
to rescue them. I'm with you. gentle
men. In the undertaking-first, for hu-
manity's sake; second. because l am
your friend; last. because don't
want my clients to lose all chance of
winning out in this controversy by
acting like confounded asses. 1t isn't
what Sir John expects of me-"
In the meantime the anxious coterie
in the chateau were waiting eagerly
for the return Of the 'senrchers. Dru-
silla made one remark, half uncon-
sciously, no doubt, that rasped In the
ears of the princess for days. 1t was
the cold. bitter, resigned epitome Of
the young wife's thoughts:
Robert has loved her for months"
That was all.
Mr.. and Mrs. Saunders, thankful that
something had happened to divert at
tention from their own conspicuous
plight. were discoursing freely In the
center of a group composed Of the four
Englishmen from the bank.
Its plain out and out elopement,'
said Mrs. Saunders, tanning herself
vigorously.
But, my dear" expostulated hel
husband. blushing wildly over the
first public use Of the appellation
where the devil could they elope tot"
81 don't know, Tommy. but clippers
never take that into consideration. Dc
they, Mr.. Bowles?"
At last the four men appeared in the
mouth Of the cavern. The watchers
below fell into chilled silence wher
they discovered that the missing ones
were not with them. Stupefied witt
apprehension. they watched the mer
descend the ladder and cross thu
bridge,
'They are Dead" fell from Drusilla
Brownies lips. She swayed for nm in
slant and then sank to the ground un
conscious.
In the conference which followed
the return Of the searchers 1t was set
tied that three Of the original part,
should undertake the further prosecu
ton Of the hunt for the two heirs
Lord Deppingham found ready volun
teers in Chase and the faithful Selim
They prepared to go out in the hill.
before the night was an hour older
Selim convinced Chase that the will!
Rasula would carry his captives to TIL
mines. where he was In full power.
you're right. Sellm. II he's tried
that game we'll beat him ut 1t. Ten tt
one II he hasn't already chucked then
into the sen they're now confined ii
one Of the mills over there"
| They were ready to start in very
short time. Selim carried quantit.
Of food and small supply of brandy
Each was heavily armed and prepared
for stiff battle with the abductors.
I'VE seem constantly to be saying
goodby to each other" Thus spok,
the princess to Chase US he stood n
the top of the steps waiting for Selim
The darkness hid the wan. despairini
smile that gave the lie to her sprightl.
words.
"And I'm always doing the unexpect
ed thing-coming back. This time
may vary the monotony by failing t,
return
II should think you could vary /
more pleasantly by not going away.
she said. you will be careful?"
1.-THE danger is here. not out there
he said meaningly.
you mean me? But. like all dan
ger. soon shall pass. In few day
shall say goodby forever and sal
away"
"How much better it would be TO
yot If this were the last goodby an,
should not come backw
"For me?'
"Yes. You could marry the prime
without having me on your CONSCIENCE
forevermore."
mfr. Chaser
'Tt's easier to forget the dead thai
the living, they say"
Don't be too sure of that"
UAh thora'c Solfmt Gondhv, yUfn,l