The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-04-03
fConta1nn,ed.l

4O0m91@WGAAoA 'sUmv' said l judiciany stAnd so my study is just beyond this mirror, eh? May I inquire how you happen to know that have my study there?''
 "Oh, peeked in the other day" she said serene1y.
 ssThe deuce you didY'
 sT was quite sure that you were out,'' she explained 1T opened Ludwig the Red an inch or two, that's all. You are quite cosy in there, aren't you? envy you the grand old chaise 1onge."
 We returned to the corridor. She closed the door softly, mockery in view of the c1atter had made in shift ing the bed and it's impediments.
 .sListene' I whispered suddenly, grasping her arm Ibid you hear foot steps in the- Sh!''
 Some one was walking over the stone floor in the lower hall, brisk strides that rang out quite clearly as they drew nearer.
 "Tt is-it is Mir. P1ess, she whispered in panic. sI recognize his tread As if [ could ever forget it! Oh, how I hate himi He'
 Don't stop lRsre to tell me about if, z I cut in sharply Make haste! Get up to your rooms and lock yourself in. l FILTH stop him."
 : Assuming a noncha1ance certainly did not feel, descended the stairs. We met in the broad hallway below. MT. Pless approachedfsl slowly evidently having checked his speed on hearing my footsteps ont the stairs
 '.Hel1ol' said agreeabIy- How did you get in?'
 He surveyed me coolIy s'I know the castle from top to bottom, MT. Smart l To be perfectly frank with you. tried the secret panel in your study, but found the opposite door blocked You have no objection, I trust, to my look ing over the castle? It is like home to me-
 My plan was to detain him in conver- k sation until she had time to secrete I herself on the upper floor Somehow anticipated the banging of door. and it came a moment later, not loud, but. very. convincing just the same He 1 glanced at me curiously.
 ssThen how did you get in ?" repeat ed, crfnging perceptib1y in response to the slam of the distant door. l s'By the same means, dare say, that you employ 2 said he.
 l For a moment I was confounded Then my wits came to the rescue I q see. Through the dungeon You do know the castle well. MT. Pless.p
 4It is a cobwebby, unlovely passage, l said he, brushing the dirt and cobwebs from his trousers. My own appearance | was conspicuouslyt immacu1atey but brushed in unison, just the same.
 s'I'd like to have your opinion as tc the best way of restoring or repairing those mural paintings in the dome oi the east hall, 7 said, detaining him. I {r excuse for rummaging about in the un used part of the castle. ssIt seems toC l bad to let those wonderful paintings go to ruin. They are hanging down il some places and are badly cracked iI others. I've been worrying about then I ever since came into possession Fol instance, that Murillo in the center It must be preserved"
 He gave me another queer look, ana I Congratulated myself on the success of my strategy. He took 1t all in- Th' mocking light died out in his eyes, ana he became Intensely interested in m. heaven sent project,
 I For fifteen or twenty minutes we dis cussed the dilapidated frescoes, and h. gave me the soundest sort of advice based on knowledge and experienc, NH0t surprised me more than little I A0 5HdS Iu0EOoSnAy uP III AHANASeSAS v l art.
 I looked at nay watch. Assuming : careless manner, remarked:
 "Come aIong'' started off in tn direction of the lower regions. He fol lowed. I maneuvered with such sue cess that ultimately he took the lead hadn't the remotest idea how to ge to the eonfounded dungeonsi
 At last there came a day Of deliver ance The guests were departing, and I can wuthfuliy say that was esan<a ing them.
 Elsie Hazzard took me off to a re mote corner, where little later or Betty Billy and the two husbandi found us.
 e:John, will you ever forgive me she said very soberly. T swear to yoS I hadn't the faintest idea what it = Please, please, Elsie I broke il warmly, "don't abuse yourself in m! presence I fully understand every thing-at least, nearly everything What I can't understand, for tie Tiff of me, is this: How did you happen t } pick up two such consummate bound CTS as these fellows are ?,
 ..AIas. John,' said she, shaking he head, "a woman never knows muc about man until she has lived a wee in the same house with him. NoS you are perfect angeI.''
 You've always said that" said ssYou did not have to live in the sam