Gilpin observer., 1912-01-18


He yielded Unexpectedly. "Of course
you are perfectly right. Miss Farrell, "
said he. with little bow. I'm sorry
that circumstances But come! 4!
She'll have this hornets nest about
our ears In brace of seconds. Hark
to that!"
A long. shrill shrek echoed down
the gallery. Labertouche shrugged
and turned to the left Come along" "
he said. Amber, take Miss Farrelps
hand and keep close to me-" He led
the way from the cell at brisk pace
one. indeed, that taxed Sophias pow.
ers of endurance to maintain.
At length they stood on a low. peb
bly, ledge. just outside the black NAV
Of the passage-an entrance hidden
in curtain-like fold in the face of the
clin that lowered above them, casting
an ink-black shadow. But beyond II
the emblazoned armament glowed IRA
diant. and at their feet the encircling
waters ran. broad ribbon Of black
silk purling between the cliff and the
opposing shores, where a thicket OF
tamarisks rose, black and ragged
wall.
Labertouche strobe of into the wa.
ter. Straight ahead" he announced;
don't worry-'tisn't more than knee
deep at the worst. I've horses waiting
on the other side"
"Horses!" Amber interrupted. Great
heavens, man. you're-you're omnis.
cient!"
"No-lucky." Labertouche retorted
briskly. "Where'd I been without
Ram Nath? He's taking care OF the
animals. Come along. What
re you waiting for? Don't you know"
He turned to see the girl hesitant.
though with lifted skirts. "Oh," he
said in an accent OF understanding,
and came back. 1T you'll help, me,
Amber. l daresay we can get Miss Far.
rell across without wetting."
He offered to clasp hands with the
Virginian and 30 make a seat; but
Amber had a happier thought.
II think can manage by myself,
thank you-if Miss Farrell will trust
me-"
ne read trust and faith unending: he
was conscious of curious futter!ng
in his bosom.
Trust you'll" she said. with little,
broken laugh. and gave herself freely
to his arms.
Labertouche grunted and turned his
back. wading out into the stream with
a great splashing.
Amber Strengthened up, holding her
very close to him, and that with ease.
Had she been thrice as heavy he could
have borne her with as little care as he
did his own immeasurably lightened
heart In that hour OF fulfillment. The
further bank neared all too quickly.
He would willingly have fingered to
prolong the stolen sweetness of that
moment, forgetful altogether OF the
danger that lay behind him.
Ahead he saw Labertouche step out
upon a shelving shore and, shaking his
legs with an effort irresistibly sug-
gestive of a dog leaving the water.
peer inland through the tamarisks. His
low, whistled signal sounded as Am
ber joined him and put down the girl
reluctantly. Her whispered thanks
we're interrupted by an exclamation
from Labertouche.
Hang it all! he can't have mistaken
the spot. told him to wait right
here. and now We daren't de-
lay" He cast an apprehensive glance
please"
He shouldered a way through the
thicket. and for several moments they
struggled on through the hindering un-
dergrowth. their passage betrayed by
much noisy rustling. Then, as they
won through to open ground, Laber-
touche paused and whistled second
time, staring eagerly from right to left.
I'm blessed" he declared, with
vehemence that argued his desire for
stronger language. This Is bad-bad
bad! He never failed me before!
i"
A mocking chuckle seemed to break
from the ground at their feet, and In
the flicker of an eyelash shadow
lifted up out of the scrub-encumbered
level. Sophia cried aloud with alarm;
Labertouche swore outright, needless;
and Amber put himself before her.
drawing his revolver. heartsick with
the conviction that they were trapped.
that their labor had gone all for
naught, that all futilely had they
schemed and dared.
But while his finger was yet seeking
the trigger the first shadow was Joined
by q score Of fellows-shades that ma
terialized with the swiftness and ST.
lence from the surface OF the earth
and before he could level the weapon
Labertouche seized his wrist. For an
instant he resisted, raging with dis
appointment; but the Englishman was
cool, strong. determined; inevitably
In the outcome the weapon was point
ed to the sky.
STEADY, you asst" breathed the Sc
cret agent in his ear. Cant you
see"