The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-05-03
CONTINUED

vey our joint achievement; we've
stopped IL up very nicely" She brush
ed the tips OF her ingers daintily
This afternoon you may fetch up q
hammer and some nails and fasten tb.
mirror permanently. Then you car
move the bed back to its proper place
Goodness. What a narrow sQueakr'
MADAME" said |, my hand on my
heart. bur not through gallussry, that
bed stays where 1t Is. Not all the
kings horses nor all the kings mer
can put II back again"
WAS 1t so heavy. MIR. Smart?"
swallowed very hard. prophetic
criek already had planted itself in my
back. will you forgive mt II ] sub
init that you sleep quite distance
from homeY' | remarked with justi
fable irony. why the deuce don,
you stay on the upper doorsi"
Because / am mortally afraid" sh.
said with little shudder. You've
no idea how lonely, bow spooky it is
up there Mt the dead hour of night
couldn't sleep. After the third night
had my things moved down here
where could ut least feel that there
were strong men within-yo nigh,
say arms length of me. l'm-l'm
shockingly timid."
She smiled, d wavering. pleading lit
tie smile that conquered.
'Of course | don't mind. countess.
I hastened to say Only thought
1t would be cozier up there with Rose
mary aud the two maids for company.
She leaned a little closer TO me. I'VE
all sleep down here" she said conti
dentially. we bring Rosemary's lit
tie mattress down every night and put
II in the tin bathtub. 1t Is very
good it and makes quite a nice cradle
for her. Helene and Blake sleep just
wide open. SO, you see. we're not one
bit afraid
I'm" said / judicially. And NC
my study Is just beyond this mirror
eh; May inquire how you happen
TO know that have my study theref"
"Oh. peeked in the other day." she
said serenely
The deuce you didF'
II was quite sure that you were out,
she explained. Il opened Ludwig the
Red I'm inch or two. that's all. You
are quite cosy Ill there. aren't you?
envy you the grand old chaise longe."
We returned to the corridor She
closed the door softly. mockery In
view OF the clatter had made in shift
ing the bed and It's impediments.
Listen. whispered suddenly
grasping her arm. Did you hear foot
steps In the Sbr'
Some one was walking over the stone
floor in the lower nall, brisk stride!
that rang out quite clearly as they
drew nearer.
''lt is--it Is MIR. Pless." she whispered
In a papic. II recognize his tread. A:
If could ever forget It. Oh. how
hate him. He"-
Don't stop here to tell me about 1t,
! cut In sharply. Make haste! Get
up to your rooms and lock yourself in
l'll-i'li stop him"
Assuming nonchalance | certainly
did not feel. | descended the stairs
We met In the broad hallway below
Mr.. Pless approached slowly, evidently
having checked his speed on hearing
my footsteps on the stairs.
Hello" | said agreeab bly,. "How
did yon get inf"
He surveyed me coolly. 81 know the
castle from top to bottom. Mr.. Smart
To be perfectly frank with you, tr1et
the secret panel in your study, Du
found the opposite door blocked. Yo,
have no objection, trust to my look
ing over the castle? 1t is like homt
to me-"
My plan was to detain him in conver
sation until she hao time to secrett
herself on the upper floor. Somehow
anticipated the banging of door
and 1t came moment later. not loud
but very convincing JUST the same. a,
glanced at me curiously.
Then how did You get in" I repeat
ed. cringing perceptibly in response Il
the slam of the distant door
by the same means. dare say, thai
you employ" said ne.
For moment was confounded
Then MY wits came to the rescue.
Il see. Through the dungeon Yor
do know the castle well. Mr.. Pless."
ut is cobwebby, unlovely passage.
said he. brushing the dirt and cobweb.
from bis trousers. Ny own appearanc,
was conspicuously immaculate. but
brushed ln unison. Just the same.
I'D like to have your opinion as Il
the best way of restoring or repairing
those mural paintings In the doms o.
the east hall" ] said. OBTAINING him. 4
was necessary for me to have a goot
excuse for rummaging about In the un
used part Of the castle 'sIt seems to,
bad to let those wonderful painting.
go to ruin. They are hanging down II
some places and are badly cracked II
others. I've been worrying about then
ever since came into possession. Fol
instance. that Murilio In the center
1t must be preserved"
Hs gave me another queer look. and
| congratulated myself on the success
OF my strategy. He took It all in. TIL,
mocking light died out In his eyes. anf