Las Vegas optic., 1912-05-01

So Inc less you uHuofttauos tue utl-
| ter we shall get along. Major; the
only question being. viii you obey my
orders7"
Had inclination otherwise fear
should find It impossible"
'sT hardly know whether that remark
be complimentary or not. You might
mean that no other course was left
you"
(which suspect is true, although II
1t proved SO l should willingly trust
myself to your guidance, because OF
my faith in you"
THAT is much better" her eyes
laughing, yet as swiftly SOLDERING again.
But 1t is foolish Of US to waste time
in such silly speeches. There is too
much waiting attention. Fortunately
this house is not without its secrets,
for when built by my grandfather this
was the frontier"
"But does not Grant know?" I asked
soberly.' Il understood he played here
as a boy. and there is not much a lad
fails to learn"
He is not without knowledge,
surely, but here is something he never
discovered. would never have trust
ed him with the secret, and yet, as
short time as have known you,
have no hesitancy. Isn't that frank
confession, sir?"
zone l mean you shall never re-
greet"
Il am sure of that; yet ! shall not
betray everything even to you. Please
face about with eyes TO the front win
dow. Yes, so; now do not look around
until / tell you"
heard her cross the room, her
skirts rustling slightly, and then the
faint clicking Of some delicately ad.
justed mechanism. AS this sound
ceased. her voice again spoke.
Now. Major, the way is opened for
a safe retreat. Behold what has been
accomplished by the genii Of the
lamp"
She was standing at one side of
what had been the fireplace, but now
the entire lower portion OF the great
chimney had been swung aside, reveal
ing an opening amply large enough for
the entrance of q man. took one
step forward to where could perceive
the beginning Of narrow winding
stair leading down into intense black
ness. Then glanced aside into her
eyes.
THE concealment was perfect" /
exclaimed in admiration. Where does
the staircase lead?"
"To very comfortable room under
ground. 1t had not been used for a
generation until this war began. Eric
and l learned Of its existence by acci-
dent, while rummaging over some OF
our grandfather's old papers. was
about sixteen then, and shall never
forget our first exploration. We found |
nothing down there then but a rough
bunk, an old lanthorn, and the leath-
ern scabbard Of sword. But since
then Eric has been compelled to hide
there twice to escape capture, and we
have made the room below more COM
Portable. You will be Obliged to grope |
your way down the stairs, but at the |
bottom will discover flint and steel, |
and lantern with ample supply of |
candles. Peter will bring you food, if
you need remain there for long!"
Peter! Then he is in the sceret?"
Peter is in all secrets" she con-
'essed. From him nothing is hid, at
east SO far as may concern the Morti-
ner family. You have yet to learn the
ieep subtlety of Peter, Major Jaw
renee. He sees all things, retains all
.hings, and reveals nothing"
"A discovery already made"
mo, barely glimpsed; no short ac-
Iuaintance such as yours has been
ould ever serve to reveal the char
cter of Peter. Since babyhood he has
cen my monitor and guide, and still
e remains to me silent mystery"
"An old servant?"
"Yes, born to the position, his, father
erving before him. There is no doubt
my mind but what he knew Of this
ecret passage before Eric and were
orn. Not that he has ever confessed
8 much, yet am convinced our dis I
overy Of it brought no surprise to
eter. What do you suppose, his age t
, be?'
My mind reverted to that express
lonless face without a wrinkle in ia, I
that totally bald head, and my an
wer was the merest guess.
"Oh, possibly fifty"
Il told you you were far from know
lg Peter" she laughed. HE is seven
y-two, and, would you believe it. until
mis- war came, was never ten miles
rom this spot"
And since?" recalling the events Of
ne night before.
He has made it his duty to attend
le; ne has become my shadow. From
le humdrum experience of a respect
Bile house servant he has become the
cry spirit of reckless adventure
as journeyed to New York, to Tren-
IN, to Philadelphia, to-
Night riding with Hessian for
gers" l broke in, disguised in
.anger's uniform"
We'll, yes" she dimpied quietly,
even that"
l waited for something more, some
L. -