The Washington times., 1913-10-06

| were knotted together"
'"Knot them together" commanded
land then pass me one end"
She must have been busy at this
task when heard her gasp. and then
she called swiftly:
"vinton is coming upstairs. Be quiet,
for your hfe"'
An instant later r. could hear the door
| of the study unlocked. and then VIM
| toms voice:
| ried without fussT'
Apparently she made no answer. for
he went on: .
You may - we'll. Mansfield isn't go
| ing to- help you: he can't"
I breathed As softly ss could. and
prayed that nothing might fan or rat
| tie within the chimney. - .:-s,
| What are you going to do with him.
! she asked.
mot entirely decided" he answered.
| In his easy, smooth tone. ITS my at
! fair. anyhow. But he'll stay where he
/ Is until you're married, at least. Will
you be ready in an hour?'
| / heard her humble q reply, the words
| of which I could not distinguish.
in an hour, then" he went on ..Fll
/ be back at that time. Do you want any
thing in the MEANWHILE"
Please leave me alone she said. her
voice trembling.
Finton laughed
IAN right: III leave you alone for an
hour. But you'd better fix up little.
| IL you're going to be BRIDE There's
| some dirt on your hair and face"
The SCOT from the chimney! l held my
: breath. Would Vinton guess?
I I've been poking ABOUT among the
Shelves, 1 heard her say.
| Looking for weapon of defense,
perhaps. Was that it?''
! ..Yes." she answered defantly.
Well, you won't find one" he said.
| laughing. Au revoir!"
| / heard the door closed and locked,
and half minute later she was back at
] the fireplace.
| That was a close cal,'' / whispered
to her; :Dp you think vinton suspected
| 1 don't think 30; yet I'm never sure
Of him." she answered. fear in he. voice,
He is uncanny at guessing. some
| times"
Finish with the rope told her. las
! fast as you can!'
What are you going to do?" .-
| I'm going to get you out of here
ITS impossible" she answered. wear.
lily. But IL you can save yourself, for
heavens sake, do it,"
Listen. Mary" commanded. Il said
I was going to get you out Of here, and
ton." and Vinton won't find you here
! when he comes back. But Il will take
| some risky work, and you'll have to
| that?" -.. -
III think So" There was doubt in her
voice. however: not doubt of her own
courage, perhaps. but a rnisgiving as to
my ability to get her free.
You'll have to do it," said. We've
got an lour to work in, and We ought
| to be able to make It"
But how are you going to set me
out?"
Through the chimney"
She gasped.
you said you could get through that
fue." I went on. "and know you're
But I can't climb" she said, hope
You don't have to; I'll do the climb
ing. Have you finished with knotting
those cords?''
Almost"
Tell me-" said. lis there another
fireplaee on the third fioor?"
SO it was a straight, unbroken climb
to the top. / gritted my teeth at the
thought Of the job.
Find me something better than a
pocket wnife to dig between bricks
WITH I called.
will a screw-driver door a chisel?'
"A chisel. And hurry!"
A few seconds later she was reaching
up through the flue again. handing me
the implement Also she gave me one
together. Her fingers were icy cold as
they touched mine, and for moment
grasped her hand and held 1t.
Courage, Mary" I whispered.
"Yes-I understand"
"Listen-rm going the rest OF the VI ay
I'D to the roof. When I signal you by
this rope that I'm out. / want You to tie
il firmly under your arms. and then
stand as far up in the flue as you can.
Leave the rest Of it to me. Do you
understand"
Yes
ut will be a dirty. uncomfortable t1ip.
but you'll have to make the best of it"
I'm not afraid" she answered.
quietly.
returned the pressure.
Now I'm going" said. Wait for
the signal"
God bless you." heard her whisper.
| had tied the rope around my waist.
so that II would trail after ME as l
climbed. and now I began to SouSe
handfuls with the chisel 1t was an in
finitely better tool than my pocket
knife. Indeed. it would need to be-. for
more than half of my painful journey
was still ahead OF me. I figured there
was at least twenty-five feet of chimney
remaining before / reached the top. and
! felt like cursing the high ceilings OF
the oId-fashiOned dwelling.
The chisel made things a little easier
for me. Nv progress was no faster, but
il was more sure. could dig deeper
recesses for my hands and feet. The
only danger now was that the noise of
falling plaster might attract the atten-
ton oi Vinton and his companions. I
tried to drop the loosened pieces straight
down. SO that they would not strike the
sides of the chimney. trusting to the
rugs / had placed below to deaden the