Licking Valley courier. [volume] (West Liberty, Ky.) 19??-current, 1912-06-20


forget cur FIRST exploration. We found
nothing down there then but a rough
hunk, an old lanthofn, and the leath-
ern scabbard of a 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!"
"Hetcr! Then he is in the secret"
"Peter is in all secrets" she con-
fessed. 'F'rom him nothing is hid, at
least so far as may concern the NORTH
mer family. You have yet to learn the
deep subtlety of Peter, Major Law
renee. He sees all things, retains all
things, and reveals nothing"
"A discovery already made"
"No, barely glimpsed; no short ac-
quaintance such as yours has been
could ever serve to reveal the. char
acter Of Peter. Since babyhopd he has
been my monitor and guide, and still
he remains to me silent mystery"
can old servant%
eyes, born to the position, his father
serving before him. There is no doubt
in my mind but what he knew of this
secret passage before Eric and I were
born. Not that he has ever confessed
as much, yet am convinced our dis
covery of it brought no surprise tc
Peter. What do you suppose his age
to be"
My mind reverted to that expires
sionless face without wrinkle in it
to that totally bald head, and my an
swer was the merest guess.
ooh, possibly ffty.%
~ told you you were far from know
ing Peter" she laughed. "He is seven
ty-two, ard, would you believe it, unit
this war came, was, never ten mile!
from this spot"
"And since% recalling the events O
the night before.
"He has made itshis duty to atteri
me; he has become my shadow, From
the humdrum expsSience of a respect
able house servantshe has become tn
very spirit OF reckless adventure-h
has iourneyed toJow York, to Tren
ton, TO Philadelphin, to"
Might riding fifth Hessian for
ayers" l broke in, disguised in
Rangers uniformp
well, yes" she dimpled quietly
"oven that"
l waited for something more, som
explanation of what all this concealed
"You trust me with so much" yer
tured, when she continued silent, "i
would seem as if you might tell m
even more"
81 cannot perceive whereby an
further confession would serve yoi
Yet have not refused TO answer an
question surely. 1t is hardly safe fo
us to remain here so long, and yet
there be something you wish to ask
"You could scarcely expect me t
be entirely without curiosity. l hay
been captured on the highway, brougf
here a prisoner, and held under guar
all night. supposed myself in Bri
ish hands, only to discover that 70
r have again interviewed to save M
) Surely there must be key to all thi
) mystery. If, as l suspect, 1t was you
!; brothsr. Eric. WIN Id Tia atts ck e
t me, having mistaken me for anothe
then what was his purpose? And whi
has become of Eric?"
r She wrlnkled her brows in perple
ity, her hands nervously clasping IL
c back of a chair.
r at is like being cross-eXamined by
t lawyer. Perhaps If the secret was a
g my own l might freely confde It
n you. I do not promise / would, but
b might. AS It. is, DO not yet Ino
! you quite wcll enough. believe yC
a to be Major Lawrence, that you al
S all you represent yourself, but l a
pledged to silence, and the lives
others depend upon my keeping fait
e You cannot urge NE 10 do what dee
It yrong?"
t mo; l shall always believe in you
e 81 thank you Tor that" and h
y hand was extended frankly; 81 won
reveal one Of the mysteries of la
II night IL was not fearful 1t might co
me your respect" %
k "How could that be possible?"
1t Because II might appear to you tn
II | had been unwomanly. My own co
science is clear, for my purpose exc
If crates me, but this you might fail
II understand unless | made fuller e
'l PLANTATION than is now possible. I ha,
duty which cannot be betrayed"
IS gazed into her eyes, her hand st
n. in mine, conscious that her cheeI
le were flushing. 1t was impossible f
70 me to conceive Of her performing
y unwomanly action.
S, 81 prefer to ask nothing" I 50
Is frankly, although should never nj
construe anything you might care
- say"
= Il think you suspect already, anil
- shonld far rather tell you the trn
myself than have you learn II in sor
- other way. The lieutenant of Lig
- !. Dragons who attacked you last mig
y, was not my brother"
70 WAS not Eric? And yet you knC
him."
IN Every well, Indeed" her eyes fallir
!. because 1t was myself"
=, CHAPTER XIV.
~ Entombed.
n. I had not euspactpd n. howavnr