The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1914-12-18

house"
So Norton carried the basket around
to the lawn where It was taken from
his hands by the regular servant. He
! sighed as he saw Florence, laughing
| and chatting with man who was 8
| stranger and whom he heard ad
| dressed as count. Some friend of the
countess, no doubt. Where was all this
tangle going to end? lie wished he
knew. And what yarn he was going
to write some day! 1t would be read
| like one OF Gaboriau's tales lie
/ turned away to wander idly about the
grounds, when beyond a clump Of ce
dars he saw three or -four men convers
ing slowly. lie got as near as possible
for when three or four men put their
heads together and whisper animated
ly, 1t usually means poker game or
something worse. lie caught phrase
or two as it came down the wind, and
then he knew that the vague suspi-
cion that had brought him ont here
had been set in motion by fate. He
heard Florence" and the old draw
ing ROOM" and that was enough.
He scurred about for Jones. 1t was
pure luck that he had had old Meg
show him through the house, other
wise he would have forgotten all about
the secret panel in the wall and the
painting. Jones shrugged resignedy,
We're these men OF the countess
party? Norton couldn't say.
Norton made his hiding place in
safety; and by and by he could hear
the guests moving about in the room.
Then all sounds ceased for a while. A
door closed sharply.
NO here you must stay, young
lady" said a mans voice.
What do you mean, sir?" demanded
the beloved voice.
ut means that no one will return to
this room and that you will not be
missed until 1t Is too late.
The sound of voices stopped alb
ruptly. and something like scufiiing
ens1ed. Later Norton heard the back
of chair strike the panel and some
one sat heavily upon it. He waited
perhaps five minutes; then he gently
slid back the panel, Florence sat
bound aud gagged under his very eyes.
1t was but tho work OF a moment to
llberate her, 81 ais
1T is l, Jim. Do not speak or make
the least noise. Follow me-"
Greatly astonished, Florence obeyed;
and the panel slipped back into place.
The room behind the secret panel had
barred windows. To Florence 1t ap-
peared to be a real prison.
How did you get here?" she asked
breathlessly.
Something told me to follow you.
And something is always going to tell
me to follow you. Florence"
She pressed his hand, 1t was to her
as IL one OF those book heroes had
stepped out OF book; only book he
goes always had tremendous fortunes
aud did not have to work for liv.
ing Oddly enough, she was not
afraid.
who was the MANI he asked.
The Count Norfeldt. Some one
has imposed upon the countess"
DO you think so?" with strange
look in his eyes
What do you mean?"
Nothing just now. The idea is TO
get out of here just as quickly as we
can See this painting?" He touched
spot in the wall and the painting
slowly swung out like a door Come;
we make our escape to the side lawn
from here"
At the stable they were confronted
with the knowledge that Norton's car
was out of commission; Jones could do
nothing with it. Then Norton suggest
ed that he make effort to com.
mandeer the limousine of the count
ess; but there we're men about, so the
limousine was out of the question.
Horses whispered Jones. There
are several saddle horses, already sad
died. How about these people, the
owners2"
"Oh, they are beyond reproach. They
have doubtless been imposed upon.
But let US get aboard first. There will
be time to talk later. I'll have to do
some explaining. taking these nags of
like this. We won't have to ride out
in front where the picknickers are
There's lane back of the stable, and
, a slight detour brings us back into the
main road
The three mounted and clatteret
away To Florence it had the air O
a prank. She was beginning to have
such confidence in these two inventive
men that she felt as II she was nevel
going to be afraid any more.
When the Countess Olga saw tn,
three horses 1t was an effort not t,
fly into rage. But secretly sh
warned her people, who presently CAV
chase in the limousine, while sh
prattled and TESTED and laughed witt
her company, who were quite unawar
that drama was being enacted RICH
under their very noses. The countess
while she acted superbly. tore he
handkerchief into shreds. There wa
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