Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1915-12-09

Godfrey 1t, stood an instant
at the top and then came down again.
The other ladder is still there he
said. and took off his cap and rubbed
his head pe~rDleNedly. l could not see
his face. but i could guess how tense
1T was. l had been with MIN in many
trying situations. but only once before
l seen him use that gesture!
1T won't do to alarm the house." he
said, at last. DO YOU know where he
was to meet Miss Vaughan"
AL an arbor in one corner of the
grounds" l answered.
Then Wen start from there and take
a quiet look for him. Wait here for me
a mute
He melted into the darkness, and I
stood holding on to the ladder as
though in danger of falling, and star
ing at the top of the wall, where | had
last seen Swain. An hour and a half
had passed since then.
A touch on the arm brought me
around with 4 start.
Here, put this pistol in your pocket"
sal Godfrey's voice. and i felt the
weapon pressed into my hand. And
here's an electric torch. DO YOU feel
the button?'
Yes" l SAID, ed pressed it. a ray
of light shot toward the wall, but 1
released the button instantly.
VIZ btlttL Keep IL IN YOUR lalQ,
he added, 'rady for action. No telling
what We'll run across. And now come
ahead
He put his foot on the ladder, but 1
stopped aim.
Look here, Godfrey" l said, do you
realize that what We're about to do is
pretty serious! Swain might have a
legal excuse. since the daughter of the
house invited him to Il meeting: but
If we go over the wall, we're trespas-
sers pure and simple. Anybody who
runs across us in the darkness has the
right to shoot us down without asking
any qnestions-and we'd have no legal
right to shoot back"
| could hear Godfrey chuckling. and
l felt my cheeks redden.
You remind me OF Tartarin,' he
said; the adVenturer Tartarin urging
you on, the lawyer Tararin holding you
back. My advice is to shake the
lawyer, Lester. He's out of his ele-
ment here tonieht. But if he's too
started UP the ladder.
burning with vexation, l started aft
er him, but suddenly he stopped.
"Listen." he whispered.
l heard something rattle against the
other side of the wall; then a dark
figure appeared on the coping.
/ felt Godfrey press me back. and
= tiolllcll ldlCZy
something slid down the wall. and [
knew that the person at the top had
lifted the other ladder over. Then the
figure descended. and Their a distorted
face stared into the circle Of Godfrey's
torch.
For a breath. | did not recognize it;
then ] saw that 1t was Swain's.
/ shall forget the shock it gave
me. with it's starting eyes and work.
ing mouth and smear of blood across
the forehead. Godfrey, l knew, was
also startled. for the light flashed out
for an instant. and then flashed on
again.
What is it, swain?" L cried. and
seized him by the arm; but he shook
me off roughly.
Stand back" he cried, horsely.
Who is it?" What dc you want?"
It's Lester" | said. and Godfrey
flashed his torch II my face, then
back to SWANS.
But you're not alone"
NO; this is Mr.. Godfrey"
Mr.. Godfrey?"
Whose house were staying at" l
explained.
All" said Swain. and put one hand
to his head and leaned heavily against
the ladder.
Il think we'd better 20 to the house.
Godfrey suggested, soothingly. wv
all need a bracer. Then we can talk.
Don't you think so, Mr.. Swain?"
Swain nodded vacantly, but | could
see that he had not understood. His
a c was still working and he seemed
to be in pain.
Il want to wash he said. thickly,
Il cut my wrist on that damned glass,
and Pm blood all over. and my heads
i wrong. somehow" His voice trailed
off into an unintelligible humble, but
he held n hand up into the circle of
light, and | saw that his cuff was
soaked with blood and his hand
streaked with it.
Como along. then said Godfrey
peremptorily. You're right-that cut
must be attended to-" and he started
toward the house.
Wait" Swain called after him,
with unexpected vigor. we must take
down the ladders. We musn't leave
them here"
why not?"
IF they're found. they'll suspect
they'll Know He stopped,
stammering and again his voice trailed
away into a humble, as though beyond
his control.
Godfrey looked at him for a
and | could guess at the surprise and
suspicion in his eyes. I, myself, was
i'll at ease, for there was something in
SWANS face-a sort of vacant hor-
ror and dumb shrinking-that filled
me with u vague repulsion. And
then to see his jaw work
ing. as he tried to form articu
iate words and could not, sent a
ShiVer over my scalp.
Very WE'LL Godfrey agreed, at last.
Wen take the ladders. since you think
1t so important. You take that one,
Lester. and I'll take this"
Continued next week.)