The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1910-04-08


top, reached by permanent ladder;
the other on level with the ground.
This latter was a double door, with
an air space between. The outside
half was Of thick oak and swung on
heavy strap hinges. In the upper
panel was diamond shaped design Of
auger holes. Standing outside and
looking up at these perforations was
Cherub Devine. He was not studying
the design. He was talking to some
unseen person behind the thick door.
conversing easily and pleasantly in
spite Of the handicap. True, he was
on the free side of the door. That
makes a difference, of course.
On the whole, Cherub Devine felt a
grim satisfaction in knowing that the
count was safe under lock and key in
stead of lodging around the grounds,
where he might come across the count
ess ut any moment. Even if there
was no danger of tender reunion it
was best to have the count shut up,
for he was bent on making trouble.
At that very moment he was so de-
claring to the full extent Of his lung
power. Through the auger holes he
was shouting that Mr. Devine. the
countess. Mr.. Hewington and Tim
Minis should all pay dearly for this
high handed outrage.
You're cursed Yankee pigr' howl
ed the imprisoned count.
Sorry you're so stirred up over it,"
sOothingly observed the Cherub.
.'Kidnaper!' shrieked the count.
Guilty" responded the Chernb.
"First offense, though. Now for heav-
ems sake calm down"
Its beastly in here! My shoes are
getting full OF something's
Nothing but sawdust," answered
the Cherub. "I'll have Timmins
spread rug or something over it,
I'm make it hot for you when l get
out.'
Sure. And for the Hewingtons,
too. l expect"
You'll both have to pay for this as
soon us Pm free"
i
Cherub cheerfully. You'd stir up a
bad muss. of course. We could put
you in Jail for attempted blackmail,
but that would bring out that the
countess wasn't widow, and all that
old gossip would be dug up again and
printed in all the papers. and I'd be
held up MS 4 kidnaper. No. my dear
count. it wouldn't do at ALL"
The Cherub had wished him pleas
ant evening and good nights rest
and was just turning TO go to the sta
bles to see Timmins when he found
himself facing Mr.. Hewington. AS
constituent was stamped on every line
of the old gentleman's aristocratic
cOuntenance.
"Why-why. Mr. Devine! You seem
to be holding a conversation with some
person in there" And he indicated
the closed door of the icehouse.
Guess 1 was" admitted the Cherub
How singular! And-er-might l.
er-ask"-
Suppose you don't" put in the Cher
ub. 1T would simplify matters lot
If you didn't"
IL have been accustomed. Mr.. De-
vine. to be told of all that went on
about this estate. even to the smallest
detail should like to know, sir. to
whom you were talking Just now"
"All right" said the Cherub. with a
gesture Of resignation. "There's the
gentleman's card"
AS Mr.. Hewington replaced his
glasses and read the full name Of
Count Vecchi an expression Of COM
plete CONSERVATION. not to say panic.
spread over his features.
Impossible" he whispered hoarsely.
Just what | thought when he
sprung it on me-" commented the Cher
ub Il told him he was a dead one.
He says he isn't"
Then the count isn't dead. eh?'
Cherub Devine watched with mild
amusement the confusion of mind into
which Mr.. Hewington was immediate
~ plunged.
My dear Mr. Devine," said he at
last taking the Cherub by the arm
and leading him away from the ice
house, 'I-er-ah--that isl hardly
know how Toto
Yes; understand Why not let it
come straight out. thought"
"Well. | must begin by making the
regretful admission that we discovered
soon after my daughters marriag e-
indeed. on the very day of the cere-
mony-that he was a person of disso-
lutte habits
Eyes. | heard all that the first day
struck here. And them"
separation. For time ] continued to