The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1915-01-27


ing slowly. He got as near as possible,
for when three or four men put their
heads together and whisper animated
ly. II usually means a poker game or
something worse. He caught 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.
lie 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.
ut 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 scufIling
ensued Later Norton heard the back
of chair strike the panel and some
bnn,sf1t. 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.
1T is |, 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 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
| one pTtSStu HIS Hdlu IL was " hSi
as If one of those book heroes had
stepped out Of book; only book he
| roes always had tremendous fortunes
| and did not have to work for 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 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 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, 80 the
, limousine was out of the question.
"Horses," whispered Jones. There
are several saddle horses, already sad
died. How about these people, the
I 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 dc
, some explaining, taking these nags OF
, like this. We won't have to ride oui
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 1t had the air oil
, a prank. She was beginning to have
such confidence in these two inventive
men that she felt as IL she was never
going to be afraid any more.
When the Countess Olga saw the
, three horses it was an effort not tC
, fly into a rage But secretly she
, warned her people, who presently gave
a chase in the limousine, while she
' prattled and TESTED and laughed with
her company. who were quite unaware
Z mat a drama was being enacted righ
v under their very noses. The countess
while she acted .superbly, tore nc
). handkerchief into shreds. There wa
v something sinister in the way al
It their plans fell through at the yer.
8 moment of contamination; and ina
q night she determined to ask Brain
@ to withdraw from this warfare. whicl
q gradually decimated their number
g without getting anywhere toward Tn
goal
70 Jones shouted that the limousin
was tearing down the road some
W thing must be done to stop 1t. II
is suggested that he drop behind leaV
his horse, and take chance at pc
1t ting a tire from the shrubbery at ID
ii roadside.
Keep going. Don't stop. Morton
ID till Won are back in town. Ill manae