The Cairo bulletin., 1912-06-12


have long to converse, and there is
much to be s0id before those down
stairs complete their rather frugal
meal--Peter has promised to delay
serving as much as possible, but. us
our larder is not extensive, at best It
will not I've long. You overheard Cap
tain Grants threat?'
ITO search the house for your broth
eF--yes."
"IIe win carry 1t out" quietly, her
eyes, no longer smiling, on my fac.
There has never been friendship be-
tween those two. and of late my ov n
relations with Captain Grant have b.
come very unpleasant. l think he IS
almost glad of an opportunity to thus
exercise some authority over me. He
is the kind of man who must either
rule or ruin. Convinced that Eric IS
concealed here, he will search the
house as much to spite me as for any
other reason. | should only laugh at
him, but for your presence"
Then your brother is not here?"
Certainly not; Eric is in no danger
but, Major Lawrence, you are"
The earnestness with which she
| spoke made my heart leap. Whatever
the girls political sentiments might
| be, she was plainly DESTROYS of serving
me, of once again exposing herself IN
my defense. Yet her words, the fran x
expression of her eyes, gave no sug-
| gestion Of sentiment--she was but a
friend, an ally, performing a woman's
| part in the war game
| But fail to understand"
"You mean me? Oh, well, you are
not the first: and no doubt 1t is best
so. The less you understand, the bet
| ter we shall get along, Major; the
only question being, will you obey my
orders"
Had inclination otherwise I fear
I should find 1t impossible"
II hardly know whether that remark
be complimentary or not. You might
mean that no other course was left
you"
(Which suspect is true, although IL
! It proved so I 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 it Is foolish4of us to waste time
! In such silly speeches. There Is too
; much waiting attention. Fortunately
I tfu IA
for when built by my grandfather this
was the frontier"
"But does not Grant know" asked
soberly. IL understood he played here
| as a boy. and there Is not much a. lad
fails to learn"
"He Ia 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 hestancy. Isn't that frank
confession. sir?"
i "One mean you shall never re.
greet"
II 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 ed
! justed mechanism. AS this sound
ceased, her voice again spoke.
Now, Major, the way Is opened fol-
a safe retreat. Behold what has been
accomplished by the genii of the
lamp" @a
N She was standing at one side Of
what had been the fireplace, but nov
the entire lower portion of the great
chimney had been swung aside. reveal
ing an opening amply large enough fol
the entrance Of a man. l took one
step forward to where / could perceive
the beginning Of narrow winding
stair leading down into intense black
ness. Then glanced aside into hel
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