The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1915-04-22

call frantic effort on her part. but 1t
served to make me exert myself to the
utmost.
Don't do that" | protested. II can
manage it alone. thank you"
secured a strong grip on the bot
tom of the thing and heaved manfuly.
"Yon might let me help" she cried.
firmly grasping side piece with scth
hands.
The bed moved. By means of great
straining got the heavy thing over
against the mirror. One OF the legs
was hopelessly splintered in the drop
from the raised platform.
There" she said. standing off to sur
vey our joint achievements; we've
stopped it up very nicely" She brush
ed the tips of her fingers daintiy.
This afternoon you may fetch up
hammer and some nails and fasten the
mirror permanently. Then you can
move the bed back to its proper place.
Goodness. What a narrow squeak"
"Madame." said |, my hand on my
heart, but not through gallantry, "that
bed stays where it is. Not all TIE
kings horses nor all the kings men
can put it back again"
WAS it so heavy. Mr.. Smart?"
swallowed very hard. A prophetic
crick already had planted itself in my
back. will you forgive me If sub
init that you sleep quite a distance
from home!" | remarked with justi-
fable irony. why the deuce don't
you stay on the upper fioors:"
Because am mortaly afraid" she
said. with a little shudder. you've
no idea now lonely, how spooky it is
up there 1T the dead hour of night.
| couldn't sleep. After the third night
had my things moved down here.
where could at least feel that there
were strong men Within-you might
say arms length OF me. l'm-'m
shockingly timid.''
She smiled, ii wavering. pleading lit
tie smile that conquered.
"Ot course don't mind. countess"
hastened to say. only thought
it would be coZier up there with Rose
mary and the two maids for company"
She leaned d little closer to me. We
all sleep down here" she said conf
dentia!ly I'VE bring Rosemary's lit
tie mattress down every night and put
it in the tin bathtub. 1t is Il very
good fit and makes quite Il nice cradle
for her. Helene and Blake sleep just
across the hall, and we leave the doors
wide open. SO, you see, were not one
bit afraid
"Um.2 said | judicially. And so
my study is just beyond this mirror,
ell? May inquire how you happen
to know that 1 have my study there?"
"Oh, | peeked in the other day." she
said serenely.
1.-THE deuce you didv'
Il was quite sure that you were out
she explained. II 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 longe."
We returned to the corridor. She
closed the door softly. a mockery in
view OF the CHATTER | had made in shift
luS ptNi anu llo illlpCNliliiIiIl''s
"Listen..' whispered suddenly,
grasping her arm. did 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
at is-it is Mr.. pless,' she whispered
in a panic. II recognize his tread. AS
if | could ever forget it. Oh, how
hate him. He
Don't stop here to tell me about it.
1 cut in sharply. Make haste! Get
up to your rooms and lock yourself in.
Ill-~lll stop him.
Assuming il uonchalance l certainly
did not feel, | descended the stairs.
We met in the broad hallway below
Mr.. Pless approached slowly, evidently
having checked his speed on hearing
my footsteps on the stairs.
Hello" | said agreeably. "HoW
did you get in:"
He surveyed me coOlly. IL know the
castle from top to bottom. Mr.. Smart
TO be perfectly frank with you, trlel
the secret panel in your study. but
found the opposite door blocked. YOU
have no objection, trust, to my look
ing over the castle? 1t is like home
to me-"
My plan was to detain him in CONVEX
sation until she had time to secrett
herself on the upper floor. Somehow
| anticipated the banging of Il door
and it came moment later, not loud
but very convincing just the same. Ill
glanced at me curously.
"Then how did You get in?" repeat
ed. cringing perceptibly in response t.
the slam of the distant door.
by the same means, dare say. tina
you employ said he.
For Il moment | was coufo'nded
Then my wits came to the rescue.
II see. Through the dungeon. Yo'
10 know the castle we'll. Mr.. Pless."
ut is a cobwebby, unovely passage.