The evening world., 1914-11-28

relief was mingled with sympathy.
I wondered n he knew what I had
been thinking. and Immediately
looked away again.
the son Of your servant" oontin-
usd Mr.. Blake's even voice. and .
dangerous character-wanted for
murder In Montreal. These people,
young ladies. have used you for their
own purposes. This cottage you live
In belongs to them. and you were put
here a. q buffer to avert suspicion.
Your servant was sent here to watch
you and drug you whom necessary;
your boat house vas used 70 conceal
their boats, and your cellar TO store
their goods. A passage at the back
hidden BY the empty dry goods boz
leads into the boat house. With the
mans mother ~ your servant and
under their control, II wAs easy for
Thorn to carry on whatever opera.
lions they CHOSE. and TO baffls the
secret service. But your safety, even
your lives. were IN danger"
He paused a. though there was
more to como which no hardly knew
how to say. but Gabrielle interrupted
him. starting from her chair and
standing tall and erect before him.
And do you expect us 70 believe
this extraordinary storyr" she in
aulred slowly.
TT 10 true"
1T 10 not true. We know there are
Jewels in that safe. Lady Edith put
them there after the robbery at the
hotel, because she was afraid Of los
ing them. But they are pearls, not
emeralds. and tomorrow I will ask
her to show them to you"
Il do not wish to see them"
II do not know, Mr.. Blake, what
you were doing In our cellar tonight.
II seems . very strange place for q
guest, but no doubt you can offer some
satisfactory explanation Of your in
tentions. We are waiting for. It: your
unwarrantable attack upon our
friends hardly seems suficient rea.
son for your presence here ct this
hour"
Mr.. Blake looked at his watch. then
replied very calmly.
your friends." no said. with q
slight emphasis. will return here TO-
night. We are waiting for them. We
are sorry. ~ Mr.. Benton has already
said. that you discovered w, for W
meant to conduct the thing quietly
1T u impossible" said Gabrielle
T-we-why. know you must b
mistaken"
you can see for yourself" no re.
turned. II must ask you to allow me
to put out the lights"
II win not do It."
but. Miss Gabrielle. you really
must" interrupted Gordon Benton.
quickly. $50 much depends upon It!
II We are wrong. We will apologize In
sackcloth and ashes. Toll her It ID
tho only thing to DO. Miss Elizabeth -
We finally agreed. and hid behind
the portiere at the dining room door
feeling wretchedly guilty ourselves,
o. we'll a. disloyal to our absent
friends.
do not know how long We stood
there IN the dark. but Il seemed an
age. as I distinctly felt the thump-
Ing Of my heart and listened with
strained attention for q sound from
the surrounding darkness. =.
At last It came. A stsalthy step. Z
subdued rustic Of skirts, . Whispered
word Of caution. and We were aware
that some ono had entered the dining
room and stood 30 near the shelter.
Ing portiers that Il moved slightly
We could hear low voice command
some one to 90 to the foot Of the
(tairs and listen for movements
above. Then silence again. and q
whisper from Mary Anne that every.
thing was quiet.
A faint light appeared through the
opening Of tho portiere, and, parting
It stin further. We saw two figures
one. man. on his knees at the door
Of the safe, while the other, q woman
held the lantern. Her back was to.
ward W., but We knew only one per.
son with that wealth Of golden hair
slim. graceful figure. and those das-
sling white shoulders enhanced BY
. the low cut black gown. Elisabeth'i
} fingers closed tightly on my arm. and
I knew she too had recognised Lady
Edith Campbell.
The man bungled at the lock. and
she spoke sharply to him. her voics
hard and singing. He muttered
something. but she did not answer
for the door of the safe swung open
disclosing the box she had placed
there in its wrappinss Of soft white
paper. Eagerly she bent to got II
but a. she took II In her hands q
whistle blew shrilly. hasty steps ap'
preached. and the room suddenly
seemed full Of people and lights.
The man sprang to his feet with ar
oath. but HE arms were seized By
two men In uniform. who In termi
more forceful than polite admonishet