Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-08-31

"Oh, say. you know. Miss Ethel,
reallyw echoed Almeric. "You can't
stay here. you knoww
Pike stopped them with gesture
and said:
"I'm her guardian, and she's here by
my authority. and, what's more, she'll
stay by my authority"
Horace turned to the earl.
Lord Hawcastle, will you insist
upon Etheps leaving7 It's quite on
the cards we shall have a disagreeable
scene here"
Hawcastle smiled evilly.
II see no reason for II. We're here
simply for Mr.. Pixies answer. He
knows where he stands, and he knows
where we stand" said the earl suave.
ly. and the American met bis smile
evenly.
~ reckon you're right so far" he
said.
"And your answer will be yesr
asked the earl, but Pike shook bis
| head.
You're wrong there" he answered.
and Hawcastle changed front In an
Instant.
perhaps you are right, Mr.. Gran.
ger-Slmpson," 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. you'll stay right where
you arer he commanded, and, paying
no attention, Pike turned to Hawcas.
tle
You're here for an answer, you
sayw
"Yes," answered the earl, after an
instant's pause. ard Dan went closer
to him.
IAN answer to whatT' 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 II don't what are you going
to do| demanded Pike quickly. Hor-
ace at once broke in.
Ethel, you must go" he implored.
But Pike waved him to silence.
Tell her Why do you come here
sure Of the answer you wantf" he In
sisted savagely.
"A gentleman would spare her
that" said Hawcastle. with uneasi-
ness, and the American laughed.
81 won'tw he snapped. Speak outl
Why?" But the earl would not an
swer directly, so Pike turned to Ethel
This afternoon | tried to help a
poor devil. broken down Russian
running away from Siberia. where
he'd been for nine years"
Ethel half rose I'm her chair and
faced him eagerly.
"a poor. weak thing" he went on,
"hounded like you've seen a rat In the
gutter by dogs and bootblacks. Some
Of your friends here saw us bring him
into this apartment They know we've
got him here now. II don't agree to
hand over you and $750,000 Of the
money John Simpson made It means
that the man | 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 a whitening look on Pike.
II 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 ruthessly and
bitterly.
"Stoop:" he cried. why, ten years
ago in st. Petersburg there was poor
devil Of revolutionist who In his
crazy patriotism took government mon
ey for the cause he believed In. He
made the mistake Of keeping that
money I'm the house. when this man
he pointed to Hawcastle-"knew II was
there. He also made the mistake Of
having wife this man coveted and
stole. rs he coveted and stole the mon-
ey Oh. he made good job of 1t!
Don't think that tonight is the first
time he has given information to the
police He did 1t then. and the hus.
band went to Siberia"-
Hawcastle was the picture OF amaze
ment and horror as he staggered up.
"a dastardly slander!' he cried.
"And he'll do II again tonightw Pike
went on. 81 go to an Italian jail"-he
whired and pointed an accusing finger
at Nine de hampigny-"and that
same poor devil Of husband goes
back TO Siberia"
"It's-it's Il ghastly lie! croaked
Hawcastle. his face livid.
"You came for your answer" went
on Pike stridently. land, by the living