The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-10-07

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to the lawn, where it was taken from
his hands by the regular servant. he
sighed as he saw Florence, laughing
and chatting with a nan 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 a yarn he was going
to write some day! 1t would be read
like one of Gaboriau's tales. He
turned away to wander idly about the
grounds, when beyond a clump OF ce'
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, it usually means a poker game or
something worse. He caught a phrase
or two as it 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 r~esignedly,
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.
J 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
this room and that you will not be
missed until it is too late
The sound of voices stopped alb
ruptly, and something like scufiine
ens1ed. Later Norton heard the back
OF a 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 and gagged under his very eyes
1t was but the work Of a moment to
liberate her.
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 it 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
q, as if one of those book heroes had
stepped out Of a book; only book he
roes always had tremendous fortunes
and did not have to work for a liv'
ing. Oddly enough, she was not
afraid.
Who was the man. he asked.
The Count Norfeldt. Some one
has imposed upon the countess"
DO you think SOP" with a 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
a 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 a effort to COM
mandeer the limousine of the count.
ess; but there were 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
owners?"
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 off
like this. We won't have to ride out
in front where the picknickers are.
There's a lane back of the stable, and
a slight detour brings US back into the
main road"
The three mounted and clattered
away. To Florence it had the air of
a prank. She was beginning to have
such confidence in these two inventive
men that she felt as if she was never
going to be afraid any more.
When the Countess Olga saw the
three horses it was an effort not to
fly into a rage. But secretly she
warned her people, who presently gave
chase in the limousine, while she
prattled and TESTED and laughed with
her company, who were quite unaware
that a drama was being enacted right
under their very noses. The countess
while she acted superbly, tore her
handkerchief into shreds. There was
something sinister in the way all
their plans fell through at the very
moment OF consummation; n that
night she determined to ask Bralne
at various points. One of these men
is Mr.. O T. NaIncburv ubo iS in