The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-04-08
CHAPTER XVII.
Consternatlonl


So quickly and smoothly had every
thing happened that the people next
door were utterly ignorant OF all that
had taken place during the progress
Of the festivities at No. IA. Lady Alta
mont had managed to get the nurse
out of the house without arousing the
suspicion of anybody. The whole
thing had been most skilfully worked
out in that willy brain. In the FIRST
place she had procured nurse after
her own heart. woman cold and cal
culating. aud ready for anything. pro-
vided that she did not run any per-
sonal or physical danger
She had been we'll paid for her
slender services, and was now ready
to leave at any time. Lady Altamont
! had paved the way for her. The
nurse had complained that she could
not look after her patient properly
seeing that Sir Charles was nearly
always in the way. Therefore she had
offered at any moment 10 resign IL
Lady Altamont was not satisfied. Lady
Altamont was not quite satisfied, SO
that the nurse had resigned her posi-
ton and gone. In case Of any author
tive inquiry. such as an inquest or
the like, that would read well in the
papers.
And Lady Altamont would have the
excuse that II would have been i'm
possible to engage the services OF an
other nurse at a moments notice; she
could further plead that she was In
ignorance as to the really critical posi-
ton OF the stranger.
Quite callously and unfeelingly she
had gone back to her guests again.
She knew nothing OF the coming and
going OF Grace Wanless and her
brother and OF the man whom she
firmly believed to be her friend, Ru-
pert Lancaster The note had been
duly dispatched TO the man O'Brien,
and doubtless by this time he had
made his plans for crossing the chan
mel. On the whole. Lady Altamont
felt no cause for alarm. IL only wanted
a little boldness now to pluck the
| flower OF safety from the nettle OF
danger The festivities were still at
their hight when Lady Altamont re-
turned to the salon She looked about
| her I'm vain to get a glimpse OF the
| fictitious Lancaster, but he did not
appear 10 be there. As a matter OF
fact, Burles had slipped into the street
Just for a moment after he and the
| Wanlesses had returned TO No. IA, and
then held hurried conference with a
man who stood patiently In the region
OF n pillar postofiice. The interview
was brief but pregnant. and after IL
Burles returned 10 the house feeling
that he had not wasted his time. II
was getting very late now, and the
streets were quite deserted otherwise
Burles' costume might have attracted
unpleasant attention.
He came back now and took his seat
by tho side of Lady Altamout. Already
most of the guests were awaiting the
announcement of supper. which meal
had been set out I'm the double room
At supper everyone would be expected
to unmask.
"Are you going TO take me in?" Lady
Altamont asked Il have several
things that | want TO say to you, and
have kept myself open on purpose
Didn't you tell me that your mask
would not come of without vater?"
THAT was the idea" Burles said
lcoolly. IL daresay you could manage
10 let me have the use OF a dressing
room for the time being To tell the
honest truth. | had much rather MOI
stay TO supper at all. Practically no
body has recognized me. and as things
have turned out Il will be just as wei
IL We are not seen much together fol
some time. Besides. | am not quit,
satisfied about the note which yor
sent by one OF your footmen II
would have been far better IL | haL
taken IL myself"
Always cautious and timid." she
said scOrnfully Always afraid oil
some imaginary danger! Do you sup