The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1914-11-12

mo; 1t is just the same here as 1t
used to be. Come along and III snow
you"
Norton inspected the rooms care
fully, slowing away in his mind every
detail. He might be worrying about
nothing; but SO many strange things
had happened that it was better to be
on the side of caution than On the
side Of careIessness. He left the
house and ran across Jones carrying
basket Of wine.
Here, Norton; take this to the
party. l want to reconnoiter."
All right, MUD! Say, Jones, how
much do you think I'd earn at this
job?" comically.
Get along with you, Mr.. Norton. It
may be the time to laugh. and then 1t
may not"
I'm going back into the house and
hide behind secret panel. I've got
my revolver. You 60 to the stables
and take try at my car; see II she
works smoothly. We may have to do
some hiking. Where is the countess
in this?"
Leave that to me. Mr. Norton" said
the butler with his grim smile. BE
off; they are moving back toward the
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 a.
stranger and whom he heard ad.
dressed as count. Some friend of the
countess, no doubt. Where was all this
tangle going to end? He wished he
knew. And what aayarn he was going
to write some day! It would be read
like >one of Gaboriau's tales. He
turned away to wander idly about the
grounds, when beyond clump of &C.
dars he saw three or four men convers.
ing slowly. He 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. He caught phrase
or two as 1t came down the wind, and
then he knew that the vague suspi.
cion that had brought him out here
had been set in motion by fate. He
heard Florence. and ""the= old draw
Ing room;" and that was enough.
He scurried 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 resignedly
Were 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.
1T means that no one will return to d.
this room and that you will not be
missed until it is too late
The sound of voices stopped abb
'uptly, and something like scuffling
,nsued. Later Norton heard the back
If chair strike the panel and some
me sat heavily upon 1t. He waited
perhaps five minutes; then he gently
'lid back the panel. Florence sat
'ound and gagged under his very eyes.
t was but the work of a moment to
iberate her.
1T is !, Jim. Do not speak or make
he least noise. Follow me-"
Greatly astonished Florence obeyed;
nd the panel slipped back into place.
he room behind the secret panel had
AIRED windows. To Florence it ap-
cared to be real prison.
How did you get here?" she asked
reathlessly.
something told me to follow you.
nd something is always going to tell
le to follow you, Florence"
She pressed his hand 1t was to her
If one Of those book heroes had
topped out of book; only book he
les always had tremendous fortunes
nd did not have to work for a liv.
g. Oddly enough, she was not
raid.
Who was the man?' he asked.
The Count Norfeldt Some one
ls imposed upon the countess"
DO you think so?" with q strange
ok in his eyes.
What do you mean?"
Nothing just now. The idea is to
It out Of here just as quickly as we
n. See this painting?" He touched
spot in the wall and the painting
'wly swung out like door. Come:
make our escape to the side lawn
om here"
At the stable they were confronted
tn the knowledge that Norton's car
IS out of commission; Jones could do
thing with 1t. Then Norton suggest
that he make q effort to com.
lndeer the limousine Of the count.
}; but there were men about, 80 the
lousine was out Of the question.
'Horses!" whispered Jones. There
several saddle horses. already sad.
ID. How about these people, the
nora S1