The Southern herald., 1912-11-01

ant?"
Why should I not2 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 Ericf"
Yes; l told you. did | not. that we
are twinsf The physical resemblance
between US is very strong; no doubt
our voices sound alike also. or would
to q comparative stranger win you
not be seated. Majorf 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 It
will not be long. You overheard Cap
tain Grants threat?"
ITO search the house for your broth
er--yes."
He will carry It out" quietly, her
eyes. no longer smiling, on my face.
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. He
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 here?"
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-
gestion of sentiment-she was but q
friend, an ally, performing woman's
part in the war game.
"But fail to understand"
"You mean met oh, well, you are
not the first; and no doubt It Is best
80. 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 1t 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 l 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 1t is foolish Of US to waste time
in such silly speeches. There is too
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. Il understood he played here
as boy, and there is not much lad
fails to learn"
HE is not without knowledge,
surely, but here is something he never
discovered. would never have trust
ed him with the secret, and yet, as
short time as | have known you, I
have no hesitancy. Isn't that a frank |
confession, sir?"
"One l mean you shall never re-
gret."
II am sure Of that; yet / shall not |
betray everything even to you. Please |
face about with eyes to the front win
dow. Yes, so; now do not look around
until tell you"
| heard her cross the room, her
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 for
a safe retreat. Behold what has been
by the genii Of the
lamp"
she was standing at one side Of
what had been the fireplace, but now
the entire lower portion Of the great
had been swung aside, reveal
ing an opening amply large enough for
the entrance Of a man. I took one
step forward to where could perceive
the beginning Of narrow winding
stair leading down into intense black.
ness. Then glanced aside into her
eyes.
"The concealment was perfect |
exclaimed in admiration. Where does
he staircase lead2H
cTo very comfortable room under
ground. It had not been used for q
generation until this war began. Eric
ind learned of It's existence BY scci.
lent. while rummsginR ov4f some 81 y