Rural Retreat times. [volume] (Rural Retreat, Va.) 1892-1918, 1915-06-29

~, IL 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.
He scurried about for Jones. It 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
mo; here you must stay, young
lady, said mans voice,
What do you mean, sir?" demanded
the beloved voice
st 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 scufling
ensued. Later Norton heard the back
of chair strike the panel and some
one sat heavily upon it. 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 1, 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"
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 a 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 SOP with a 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
q spot in the wall and the painting
T slowly swung out ike door. Come;
we make our escape to the side lawn
from here
Al the stable they were confronted
with the knowledge that Norton's car
was ont OF commission; Jones could do
nothing with il Then Norton suggest
\ sd that ne make a effort to COM
nsandeer the limousine of the count
ess; but there we're men about, so the
Limousine was out Of the question.
Horses" whispered Jones. There
are several saddle horses, already sad
died How about these people, the
cEners?o
"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 do
some explaining, taking these nags off
like this. We won't have to ride out
in front where the picknickers are.
There's a lane back Of the stable, and
slight detour brings US back into the
main road"
The three mounted and clattered
away. To Florence 1t had the air of
prank. She was beginning to have
such confidence in these two inventive
men that she felt as if she was never
going to be afraid any more
When the Countess Olga saw the
three horses it was an effort not to
fly into a rage. But secretly she
warned her people, who presently gave
chase in the limousine, while she
rrattled and TESTED and laughed with
her company, who were quite unaware
that a drama was being enacted right
under their very noses. The countess,
while she acted superbly, tore her
handkerchief into shreds. There was
something sinister in the way all
their plans fell through at the very
moment of contamination; and that
night she determined to ask Braine
to withdraw from this warfare, which
gradually decimated their numbers
without getting anywhere toward the
goal.
Jones shouted that the Limousine
was tearing down the road. Some
thing must be done to stop 1T. he
suggested that he drop behind, leave
his horse, and take chance at pot
ting a tire from the shrubbery at the
roadside.
Keep going. Don't stop, Norton,
till you are back In town. I'll manage
to take good care of myself"
CHAPTER VII.
n.