The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1915-01-01
(oopyright, 1914, By Harold Nacofa.hl


The butler with his grim smile. "B'
| OF; they are moving back toward thu
house."
So Norton carried the basket arount
to the lawn, where it was taken from
his hands by the regular servant. HI
sighed as he saw Florence, laughing
and chatting with man who was 6
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 NJ
knew. And what yarn he was going
to write some day! 1t would be reat
like one of Gaboriau's tales. He
turned away to wander idly about the
| grounds, when beyond 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, 1t usually means poker game OF
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.
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 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 q while. A
door closed sharply.
mo; here you must stay, young
lady," said mans voice.
What do you mean, sir?" demanded
the beloved voice.
"It means that no one will return to
this room and that you will not be
missed until 1T Is too late
The sound Of voices stopped alb
ruptly, and something like scuffling
ensNed. Later Norton heard the back
Of a chair strike the panel and some
one sat heavily upon 1t. He waited
perhaps five minutes; then he gently
slid back the panel Florence sat
bound and gagged under his very eyes.
It was but the work Of moment to
liberate her.
1T is i, 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 1t 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"
She pressed his hand. 1t was to her
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
1 spot in the wall and the painting
slowly swung out like door. Come;
We make our escape to the side lawn
rom here"
At the stable they were confronted
With the knowledge that Norton's car
vas out of commission; Jones could do
nothing with it. Then Norton suggest
ID that he make effort to COM
nandeer the limousine of the count
ss; but there we're men about, SO the
limousine was out of the question.
"Horses!" whispered Jones. There
re several saddle horses, already sad
led. How about these people. the
'sOh, they are beyond reproach. They1
ave doubtless been imposed upon.
hut let US get aboard first. There will
. time to talk later I'll have to do
ame explaining. taking these nags on
Re this. We wont have to ride out
/ front where the picknickers are.
here's lane back OF the stable, and
slight detour brings M hack into the
lain road"
Tho three mounted and clattered
way. To Florence 1t had the air Of I
prank. She was beginning to have 8
lch confidence in these two inventive
en- tint she felt N II she was never {
ling to be afraid any more II
When the Countess Olga saw the n
rec horses 1t was an effort not to q
, into = rage. But secretly she y
armed her people. who presently gave 81
ase In the limousine, while she G
attled and tested and laughed with II
= company, who we're quite unaware Y
at drama was being enacted right IL
der their very noses. The countess. v
lille she acted superbly, tore her
into shreds. There was Z,
sinister In the way AL hi