The Red Cloud chief., 1910-09-08
CHAPTER xxiIl-Continued.

CHAPTER xxlll-Continued.
Apparently only few minutes
elapsed, during which my eyes were
becoming accustomed 20 the darkness.
Then ! noticed that the windows were
rejecting a faint pinkish light; Liddy
noticed It at the same time, and l
heard her Jump up. At that moment
Sans deep voice doomed from some
where just below
'Fire!" he yelled The stables on
nre!"
could sec him in the glare dancing
up and down on the drive, and a mo-
mcnt later IIalsoy Joined him. Alex
was awake and running down the
stairs. and in FIVE minutes from the
time the fire was discovered three of
the maids were sitting on their trunks
in the drive, although, excepting few
sparks, there was no fire nearer than
100 yards
Gertrude seldom loses her presence
of mind, and she ran to the telephone.
Uut by the time the Casanova volun-
tecr fire department came toiling up
the hill the stable was II furnace, with
the Dragon Fly safe but blistered,
In the road. Some gasoline exploded
just as the volunteer department got
to work. which shook their nerves as
we'll as the burning building. The
stable, being on hill, was torch to
attract the population from every di-
rection
Tho stable was off the west wing.
hardly know how | came to think of
the circular staircase and the un-
guarded door at its foot. Liddy was
putting my clothes into sheets, pre-
paratory to tossing them out the win.
dow, when | found her. and | could
hardly persuade her to stop.
II want you to come with me,
Liddy," said. Bring candle and a
couple of blankets"
She Jagged behind considerably
when she saw me making for the east
wing, and at the top of the staircase
she baked.
81 am not going down there she
said firmly.
There is no one guarding the door
down there" l explained. "Who
knows2-this may be a scheme to
draw everybody away from this end
OF the house, and let some one In
here"
The instant had said it was con
vinced l had hit on the explanation
and that perhaps 1t was already toe
late. 1t seemed to me as | listened
that heard stealthy footsteps on the
east porch. but there was so mucl
shouting outside that 1t was impos
sible to tell Liddy was on the poin
of retreat
Very WE'LL" said. then shall g
down alone. Run back to Mr. Halsey'
room and get his revolver. Don
shoot down the stairs If you hear
noise; remcmber-l shall be dow
there. And hurry"
put the candle on the floor at tn
top OF the staircase and took off m
bedroom slippers. Then | crept dow
the stairs, going very slowly, an
listening with all my cars. Just at tn
foot OF the stairs | stubbed my to
against Halsey's big chair, and had I
stand on one foot in u soundless agon
until the pain subsidized to duh ach
And then--I knew | was right Son
one had put key into the lock, ar
was turning 1t. For some reason
refused to work, and the key W;
withdrawn. There was a muttering
voices outside; had only secon
Another trial. and the door wou
open. The candle above made fai
Bteam down the well-like staircas
and at that moment, with a secon
no more, to spare. thought OF a pla
The heavy oak chair almost fill
the space between the newell post al
the door. With crash had turn
II on Its side, wedglng 1t again
the door. its legs against the stairs.
could hear fain. scream from Lid
at the crash and then she came doy
the stairs on a run, with the reyoly
held straight out in front of her.
Thank Cod" she said, in a shaki
voice. Il thought 1t was YOU"
pointed to the door, and she ,
derstood
"Call out of the windows at t
other end Of the house." whisper,
run. Tell them not to wait for al
thing