The Glenwood post., 1912-09-28

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 a man. i took one
step forward to where l could perceive
the beginning of a narrow winding
stair leading down into intense black
ness. Then l glanced aside into her
eyes.
'The concealment was perfect" ]
exclaimed in admiration. Where does
the staircase lead?"
ITO 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 acct.
dent, while rummaging over some OF
our grandfathers old papers. l 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.
fessed. From him nothing is hid, at
least so far as may concern the Morti.
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"
mo, barely glimpsed; no short ac.
quaintance such as yours has been
acter of Peter. Since babyhood 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
I secret passage before Eric and l were
| born. Not that he has ever confessed
| as much, yet l am convinced our dis.
covery Of it brought no surprise to
Peter. What do you suppose his age
to be?"
My mind reverted to that express
| sionless face without wrinkle in it,
to that totally bald head, and my an.
| swer was the merest guess.
"Oh, possibly fifty"
81 told you you were far from know.
ing Peter she laughed. "He is seven.
ty-two, and, would you believe it, until
this war came, was never ten miles
from this spot"
"And since?" recalling the events OF
the night before
He has made it his duty to attend
me; he has become my shadow. From
| the humdrum experience of a respect.
able house servant he has become the
very spirit of reckless adventure-he
has journeyed to New York, to Tren.
ton, to Philadelphia, to"
| might riding with Hessian for.
agers," I broke in, disguised in a
Rangers uniform"
well, yes," she, dimpled quietly
"even that"
l waited for something more some
explanation of what all this concealed
You trust me with so much,' l ven.
tured, when she continued silent, at
would seem as if you might tell me
| even more."'
Il cannot perceive whereby any
| further confession would serve you
| Yet l have not refused to answer any
| question surely. 1t is hardly safe fol
us to remain here so long, and yet il
there be something you wish to ask
"You could scarcely expect me to
be entirely without curiosity. l have
been captured on the highway, brought
here a prisoner, and held under guard
all night. / supposed myself in Brit
ish hands, only to discover that you
have again intervened to save me
Surely there must be a key to all this
mystery. If, as I suspect, it was your
brother, Eric, who led the attack on
me, having mistaken me for another
then what was his purpose? And what
has become of Eric?"
She wrinkled her brows in perplex
ity, her hands nervously clasping the
back of chair.
"It is like being cross-examined by a
lawyer Perhaps If the secret was all
my own l might freely confide it to
you. 1 do not promise 1 would, but
might. AS it is, do not yet know
you quite well enough. 1 believe you
to be Major Lawrence, that you are
all you represent yourself, but am
pledged to silence. and the lives OF
others depend upon my keeping faith
You cannot urge me to do what deem
wrong?'
mo; shall always believe in you.'
Il thank you for that" and her
hand was extended frankly; 81 would
reveal one of the mysteries of last
night if l was not fearful it might cost
me your respect"
l