The state herald., 1912-12-27

You supposed me to be the lieuten-
anti"
"why should not? The voice was
the same; at least sufficiently similar
to deceive me, and he never addressed
you in a way to arouse my suspicious.
Is your brother named Eric?"
"Yes; | told you. did not, that we
are twins? The physical resemblance
between us is very strong; no doubt
our voices sound alike also. or would
to n comparative stranger. VIII you
not be seated. Major? We shall not
have long to converse. and there is
much to be said before those down
stairs complete their rather frugal
meal-Peter has promised to delay
serving as much as possible, but. as
our larder is not extensive, at best 1t
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. her
eyes, no longer smiling, on my race.
There has never been friendship be
tween those two. and OF late my own
relations with Captain Grant have be-
come very unpleasant | think he is
almost glad of an opportunity to thus
exercise some authority over me. lie
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 here2"
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 desirous OF serving
me, OF once again exposing herself in
my defense. Yet her words. the frank
expression of her eyes, gave no sug-
gestlon OF sentimont-she was but a
friend, an ally, performing n 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 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 fear
| should find It impossible"
Il hardly know whether that remark
, be complimentary or not. You might
, mean that no other course was left
you"
which suspect is true. although II
1t proved so 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 II is foolish OF us to waste time
in such silly speeches, There is toe
much waiting attention. Fortunately
, this house is not without it's secrets
} for when built by my grandfather this
was the frontier"
, but does not Grant know % asked
soberly. 81 understood he played here
) ms boy. and there Is not much lad
fails TO learn"
He Is not without knowledge
surely. but here IL something he never
? discovered. | would never have trust
. ed him with tho secret. and yet. az
/ short time as | have known you.
have no hosltnney Isn't that n tranl
/ confession. slr2"
/ "onc mean you shall never re
=. grot."
II am sure Of that; yet | shall moi
botray everything even to you. Pleas,
, face about with eyes TO the front win
0 dow. Yes. SO; now do not look arount
. until tell you"
heard her cross tho room. hci
' skirta ruatllng slightly. and then N,
, faint clicking OF some deleatcly ad
! iustcd mechanism. AS this sount
( ceased. her voice again spoke.
( Nov. Major, the way IL opened foi
/ n anfo retreat. Behold what has beer
accomplished by the gcnil Of IN,
! lamp
She was ntapdng at one side ol
, what had been the fireplace. but now
, tho entire lover portion OF the great
chimney had bcon swung aside. reveal
: Ing an opening amply large enough foi
I the entrance of man. I took one
! step forward TO whore could perceive
/ the beginning OF u narrow winding
. stair leading down into Intense black
ness. Then | glanced aside into hoi
! eyes,
, "The conooalmont was perfect"
exclaimed In admiration. where doer
! tho staircase leadi"
!. "To very comfortable room under
ground. II had not been used for d
J. generation until this war began. Erie
. and learned Of ita existence by acct
/ dent, while rummaglng oyaf some OF