The Washington times., 1914-08-02


it better be the side of caution than the
side Of carclessness He left the house and
Jones carrying basket of wine.
"Here Norton; take this to the party want to re-
connoiter"
"All right, m1udl Say, Jones, how much do you
think I'd earn at this job?" comically.
"Get along with you, Mr.. Norton. 1t may be the
time to laugh, and then it may not"
"Im going back into the house and hide behind
secret panel. Pve got my revolver. You go to the
stables and take try at my car; see if she works
smoothly. We may have to do some hiking. Where
is the countess in this?"
Leave that 20 me- Mr.. Norton" said the butler
with his grim smile. "Be off; they are moving back
toward the house."
So Morton carried the basket around to the lawn
where it was taken from his hands by the regular
servant. He sighed he Florence, laughing and
chatting with who a stranger and whom
he heard addressed count. Some friend of the
countess no doubt. Where all this tangle going
to end? lie wished he knew. And what yarn he
going to write day II would be read like
cf Gaboriaus tales He turned away to wander
idly about the grounds when beyond clump Of cedars
he three four men eonversing lowly. He got
possible for when three four put
their heads together and whisper anmatey it usually
means poker game something He caught
phrase two as it came down the wind, and then
he knew that the vague suspicious that had brought
him out here had teen set in motion by fate. He
heard Florence and "the old drawing room;" and
that was enough.
He sctrred about for Jones. 1t was pure luck that
he had had old Meg show him through the house,
otherwise he would have forgotten all about the
panel in the wall and the painting. Jones shrugged
resignedly. Were these 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
Then all sounds ceased for while. Norton strained
his against the panel. door closed sharply.
"No; here you must stay, young lady," said mans
voice.
"what do you mean, sir?" demanded the beloved
voice.
at means thai no will return to this room and
that you will be missed until it is too late"
The sound of voices stopped abruptly, and some
thing like scufling ensued 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 moment to liberate her.
at is I, Jim. Do not speak make the least
noise Follow me-"
Greatly astonshe1, Florence obeyed; and the Panel
slipped back into place. The behind the secret
panel had barred windows. TO Florence it appeared
to be a real prison.
"How did you get here" she asked breathlessy.
Something told me to follow you. And some
thing is always going to tell me to follow you,
Florence"
She pressed his hand. It was to her as if one of
those book heroes had stepped out of book; only
book heroes always had tremendous fortunes and did
not have to work for living. Oddly enough, she
not afraid.
"Who was the man." 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
as quickly See this painting" He touched
spot on the wall and the painting slowly swung out
like door. "Come; make escape to the side
lawn from here"
At the stable they were confronted with the knowl
edge that Norton's was out of commission: Jones
could do nothing with it. Then Norton suggested that
he make effort to commander the limousine of
the countess; but there about so the lin
CUISINE out of the question
"lIorses!" whispered Jones. 'sThere are several
saddle horses already saddled How about these
people the owners?"
80, they are beyond reproach. They have doubt
less been imposed upon. But let us get aboard first
There will be time to talk later. I'll have to 10
explaining, taking these nags off like this. We won't
have to ride out in front where the picnickers
There's lane back of the STABLE and slight detour
brings hack into the main road"
The three mounted and clattered away. To Flor
ence it had the air Of prank. She beginning
to have such confidence in these two inventive men
that she felt if she going to be afraid
any more.
When the Countess Olga the three horses i
was an effort not to fly into 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 drama was being enacted right under their