The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1915-02-06

X q
So Norton carried the basket around
to the lawn. where II was taken from
his hands by the regular servant. He
sighed ~ he saw Florence, laughing
and chatting with . man who was .
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 he
knew. And what yarn he was goins
to write soma day! It would be read
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 a. possible.
for when three or four men put their
heads together and whisper animated
ly. It 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 while. A
door closed sharply.
mo; here you must stay. young
lady" said mans voice
What do you mean, sir?" demanded
the beloved voice.
1T means that no one will return to
this room and that you will not be
missed until It 10 too late
The sound of voices stopped alb
ruptly. and something like scufiiins
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 sal
bound and gagged under his very eyes,
It was but the work Of moment to
liberate her.
1T is !, 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 ted me to follow you
And something IL always going to tel
me to follow you, Florence
| She pressed his hand. 1t was to hel
/, as II one OF those book heroes had
stepped out of a book; only book he
roes always had tremendous fortunes
and did not have to work for q liv
ing. Oddly enough, she was no
afraid.
"Who was the mann he asked.
no SOunt kNOElCiut oOnO OAs'
has imposed upon the countess"
do you think so7' with strang'
look In his eyes.
What do you meanf"
| Nothing just now. The idea II h
get out Of here Just a. quickly as "
can. See this painting?" He touche
spot In the wall and the paintin
slowly swung out like door. Come
We make our escape to the side law
from here"
At the stable they were confronte
with the knowledge that Norton's ca
was out Of commission; Jones could d
nothing with It. Then Norton sugges
ed that he make q effort to con
mandeer the limousine Of the coun
eds: but there were men about. 20 u
limousine was out Of the question.
"Horsesi" whispered Jones. "TheI
, are several saddle horses. already 90
died. How about these people. u
ownersf"
"Oh. they are beyond reproach. The
} have doubtless been imposed upc
But let 10 get aboard nrst. There vi
be time to talk later. III have to
some explaining. taking these nags Z
like this. We won't have 70 ride o
IN front where the picknickers n
: There's lane back Of the stable, a
7 slight detour brings us back into q
{ main road"
3 The three mounted and clatter
1 4 - ~ -