The Springfield herald., 1912-11-22


our larder is not extensive. at best !
will not be long. You overheard Cap
tain Grants threat?"
ITO search the house for your broth
er-yes."
He will carry 1t OUT" quietly. he
eyes, no longer smiling. on my face
There has never been friendship be
tween those two, and OF late my owl
relations with Captain Grant have be
come very unpleasant ! think he II
almost glad Of an opportunity to thu
exercise some authority over me. He
is the kind Of a man who must ethel
rule or ruin. Convinced that Eric Ii
concealed here. he will search the
house as much to spite me as for any
other reason. ! should only laugh a
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 sht
spoke made my heart leap. Whatever
the girls political sentiments NIGH
be, she was plainly desirous of serving
me, of once again exposing herself II
my defense. Yet her words. the franh
expression Of her eyes. gave no sug
gestion of sentiment-she was but g
friend, an ally, performing woman's
part in the war game.
But fail to understand"
you mean me? Oh. we'll. you are
not the first; and no doubt It Is bes'
so. The less you understand. the bet
ter we shall get along. Major; the
only question being, will you obey my
orders?"
Had 1 inclination otherwise l feal
should find 1t impossible"
II hardly know whether that remark
be complimentary or not You might
mean that no other course was lefl
you"
Which suspect is true. although Il
1t proved SO l should willingly trus,
myself to your guidance. because oi
my faith in YOU"
THAT is much BETTER" her eyei
laughing. yet as swiftly SOLDERING again
But 1t Is foolish of us to waste time
in such silly speeches. There is toe
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?" asked
soberly. 81 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. l would never have trust
ed him with the secret, and yet. al
short time as l have known you.
have no hesitancy. Isn't that a frank
confession. sir?"
"One mean you shall never re
gret."
II am sure Of that; yet l shall moi
betray everything even to you. Please
face about with eyes to the front win
dow. Yes. 30; now do not look around
until tell you."
heard her cross the room. hel
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 fol
safe retreat. Behold what has beer
aCCOIupllbHSu w tuO 6SAl VI luS
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 fol
the entrance of a man. took one
step forward to where could perceive
the beginning Of narrow winding
stair leading down into intense black
ness. Then l glanced aside into hel
eyes.
THE concealment was perfect"
exclaimed In admiration. Where doei
the staircase lead?"
ITO a very comfortable room under
ground. 1t had not been used for G
generation until this war began Eric
and learned of its existence by acci
dent. while rummaging over some Of
kour grandfather's old papers. l wal
about sixteen then. and shall never
forget our first exploration. We founc
nothing down there then but rough
bunk. an old lanthorn. and the leath
ern scabbard OF a sword But since
then Eric has been compelled to hide
tneTe TWICE 10 escape capture, ana VIZ
have made the room below more com
Portable. You will be obliged to grop<
your way down the stairs. but at the
bottom will discover flint and steel
and lantern with ample supply o.
candlss. Peter will bring you food. II
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, Al
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 al
things. and reveals nothing"
"A tiscovery already made"
mo. barely glimpsed; no short ac
quaintance such as yours has beer
could ever serve to reveal the char
acter of Peter. Since babyhood he ha.
been my monitor and guide. and Still
he remains to me silent mystery"
IAN old servant?"
Yes, born to the position, his father