The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-09-23

interrupted him.
"And do you expect US to be-
lieve this extraordinary story?"
she inquired slowly.
| ut is true"
'It is not true. I do not know,
Mr.. Blake, what you were doing In
our cellar tonight. II seems very
strange place for a guest, but no
doubt you can offer some satisfac-
tory explanation of your inten-
tons. We are waiting for 1t; your
unwarrantabie attack upon our
friends hardly seems sufficient
reason for your presence here at
this hour"
Mr.. Blake looked at his watch.
then replied calmly. '
your friends" he said, with a
slight emphasis, will return here
tonight. We are waiting for them.
We are sorry. as Mr.. Bennett has
already said, that you discovered
us. for we meant to conduct the
thing quietly. I must ask you to
allow me to put out the lights"
81 will not do It,"
But. Miss Gabrielle, you really
must" interrupted Gordon Ben
nett quickly. so much depends
upon 1t! II we are wrong, we
will apologize in sackcloth and
ashes. Tell her 1t is the only thing
to do, Miss Elizabeth"
We finally agreed, and hid be-
hind the portiere at the dining
room door. feeling wretchedly
guilty ourselves, as we'll as disloy-
al TO our absent friends.
l do not know how long we
stood there in the dark, but It
seemed an age, as I distinctly felt
the humping of my heat and lis
tened with strained attention for
a sound from the surrounding
darkness.
At last 1t came. A stealthy step,
a subdued rustic of skirts, a whis-
pered word of caution. and we
were aware that some one had en-
tered the dining room and stood SO
near the sheltering portiere that
1t moved slightly. We could hear a
low voice command some one to
go to the foot of the stairs and
listen for movements above. Then
silence again, whisper from
Mary Anne that everything was
quiet.
A faint light appeared through
the opening of the portiere, and,
parting 1t still further, we saw
two figures, one a man, on his
knees at the door of the safe,
while the other, a woman, held
the lantern. Elizabeth's fingers
closed tightly on my arm, and
knew that she, too, had recognized
Lady Elizabeth Campbell.
The man bungled at the lock,
and she spoke sharply to him. He
muttered something, but she did
not answer. for the door of the
safe swung open, disclosing the
box she had placed there. Eagerly
she bent to get it, but as she took
1t in her hands a whistle blew
shrilly and the room suddenly
seemed full of people and lights.
The man sprang t6>his feet with
an oath, but his arms were seized
by two men in uniform.
And the woman-Lady Edith?
She stood erect. with head flung
back and blazing eyes. For a mo-
| ment she said nothing. Then,
turning to Mr.. Blake, she spoke
in an even, mechanical voice.
II congratulate you upon the
success of your COUP"
He came nearer and held out
his hand authoritatively.
II will relieve you of that box"
he said.
Il will not give it to you"
II should regret to use force
with a woman"
But we could bear no more,
and with one accord pushed aside
the curtain and entered the room.
1T isn't true." cried Eliza
beth, rushing to her side. Say it
isn't true, and we will believe
you"
Even now, in the face of ev-
erything, would you believe me?"
YES" / said, I'VE would, in
deed. 1t is your word against