Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1909-04-29
1keUenge
BY GUY THoRNE
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Sweet is revenge, especially to a
woman" Lord Byron.
CHAPTER ill-continued,

i
PERFECTLY WE'LL" the Duchess answer
ed, impatiently. "Of course it is not
your fault. How can it be your fault!
Hobson turned to the tall dark
girl-"you have committed a great
breach Of your duty in leaving the
day nursery
I'll speak to Hobson later, your
grace" Mrs. Alexander said, in a grim
significant voice. We had better 90 at
once to Miss Decies rooms"
The duchess swept imperiously
away, followed by Grant and the two
nurses. and, at little interval, by the
housekeeper and housesteward both
of whom were anxious to be satisfied
that all was we'll.
Once more the little party traversed
the broad. picture-hung corridor and
came out into the gallery, turning
this time towards the southern front
where Miss Decies' rooms, which look
ed Piccadilly, were situated.
The duchess was first, and arrived
at the door just as it opened, and the
old lady, with a book in her hand,
came quietly out into the gallery.
sOh, Aunt Augusta" the duchess
said, where, Is he? Why did you
take him away? We have all been
SO frightened"
Miss Decies looked calmly at her
niece, rather sourly at Grant, and
then, beyond him., to the cluster of
servants, with start of surprise.
What are you talking about
Beatrice?" she said. "Why did l take
him? What do you mean?"
"Fitz."" the young mother almost
screamed. Fitz He isn't in the
nurseries, none Of the servants have
seen him. We thought you might
have taken him.
When have interfered with the
nurses or the hoy?' Miss Decies
answered, with tart dignity. What
is this you tell me? Fitz is not in
the nurseries,? What a pack of non
sense this Isl OF course he Is in the
nurseries; we will soon prove that.
Follow me, all of you.''
The resolute old lady, with mantling
countenance and rigid lips. upright as
ever, though she walked little quick
5er than was her wont, swept along
the passage. followed by Michael. the
duchess. and the servants, and led
the way towards the nurseries. In less
than a minute they had all crossed
the big day-room and were once more
In the bedroom. The lights still glow
ed upon the place, the bedclothes Of
the cot were still tumbled.
The duke was not there!
The duchess gave frightened cry
and turned instinctively towards
Grant an unconscious movement
which was not unmarked by the
shrewd watchful servants.
Where is he, them" she said, her.
voice rising higher and higher. This
is terrible What shall we do?"
Beatrice. Beatrice" Miss Decies
said. control yourself. my dear. There
is some simple explanation Of this,
/ feel sure"
4 Then Grant spoke.
We az hope that this may be so,
Miss Decies,' he said. "But 1t seems
to me to have exhausted all the sim
pie explanations already. There is
something very strange about this.
Duchess, as am here. will you allow
me to see
The duchess broke In.
Oh no. Michael" she said. Please
de- Find Fitz--find him at once
q Remington, the housesteward, step.
ped up to Michael Grant He recog.
nized, the master mind, as most peo-
pie did who had ever been In any
crises, sporting or otherwise, when
Michael Grant was present.
will you give your orders, sir?"
he asked, In q brisk. anxious voice,
quite different from his ordinary
pompous utterance. .'Will you kind.
" give your orders. sir?" and win
see that they are carried out imme-
diately. !"
think, Grant answered, quickly,
that we had all better 60 down into
the hail and send for the servants.
We won't lose any time. Please all
come with me-
He almost ran out Of the room.
along the corridor into the gallery,
and hurried down the vast marble
staircase into the hall. The duchess
followed him. 1.-THE and graceful as
he. Miss Decies came resolutely
afterat hem. and the servants hurried
behind the three Of them huddled
together III alarm.
There was only one footman in the
hall.
sound the dinner gong!. Grant
said % him quickly ;33
The man alarmed and surprised at
the athletes hard, authoritive voice.
ran across the hall to where the great
sheet of dull metal hung between two.
Chinese dragons. He unlocked the
padded stick and smote the gong with
that peculiar rubbing stroke that
bring ont al the thunder 81 the
bronze The lpud alarm rang through
the plSce, and before the first echoes
Had lied away the butler and two
other men came running into the hall.
s. Grant said SO the butler. win
stand NY this door pointing 70 the
swing doors which led \ to The small
vesti 6lIle and the front entrance into