The Ordway new era., 1910-08-26
CHAPTER xxIii-contInued.

~ nader out OF pIhce oedpeHS tHs '"Ss-
tsvy.
CHAPTER xxIii-contInued.
Apparently only few minutes
elapsed. during which my eyes were
becoming accustomed to the darkness.
Then l noticed that the windows were
rejecting a faint pinkish light: Liddy
noticed it at the same time. and I
heard her jump up. At that moment
where just below.
Fire." he yelled. "The stables on
nre!"
could see him in the glare dancing
up and down on the drive. and mo-
ment later Halsey 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 a few
sparks, there was no fire nearer than
100 yards.
Gertrude seldom loses her presence
Of mind. and she ran to the telephone.
But by the time the Casanova volun-
the hill the stable was 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 a torch to
attract the population from every d.
rection.
The stable was of the west wing.
hardly know how I 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 l found her. and I could
hardly persuade her to stop.
Il want you to come with me,
Liddy." said. Bring a 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 explained. who
knows?-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 1t was con-
vinced l had hit on the explanation.
and that perhaps 1t was already too
late. 1t seemed to me as l listened
that heard stealthy footsteps on the
cast porch. but there was SO much
shouting outside that it was impos-
sible to tell. Liddy was on the point
of retreat.
Very WE'LL" said. then I shall go
down alone. Run back to Mr.. Halsey's
room and get his revolver. Don't
shoot down the stairs II you hear a
noise; remember shall be down
there. And hurry"
put the candle on the floor at the
top of the staircase and took of my
bedroom slippers. Then I crept down
the stairs, going very slowly. and
listening with all my ears. Just at the
foot Of the stairs I stubbed my toe
against Halsey's big chair, and had to
stand on one foot in a soundless agony
until the pain subsided to a dull ache.
And then-I knew I was right. Some
one had put key into the lock. and
vas turning it. For some reason it
refused to work, and the key was
withdrawn. There was a inuttering of
voices outside; I had only a second.
Another trial. and the door would
open. The candle above made faint
CLEAN down the well-like staircase,
and at that moment. with a second,
no more, to spare, thought of plan.
The heavy oak chair almost filled
the space between the newell post and
the door. With crash l had turned
it on its side, wedging it against
the door, its legs against the stairs. l
could hear faint scream from Liddy
at the crash and then she came down
the stairs on run, with the revolver
held straight out in front Of her.
Thank God" she said, in shaking
voice. Il thought it was you"
l pointed to the door, and she un-
derstood.
Call out of the windows at the
other end of the house," I whispered.
Run. Tell them not to wait for any
thing"