Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1916-03-23

AAOAOE name anu uduueu III at the
Bourse an hour or so before he was
burned to death no wonder! Too
bad didn't know then what / do now:
if I'd even remotely suspected
Greggs' association with the Pack was
via BannOn. But what's the use?
lid my best possible. knowing the odds
were heavily against success"
What was written on the paper?"
the girl demanded obliquely.
He made his eyes blank Written
On the paper"
= saw something in red ink at the
head Of the column. You tried 10 hide
it from me, but l saw. What was it?"
"Ch-that!" He laughed contemptu-
ously. Just Popinot's impudence-an
invitation TO come out and be a good
target"
She shook her head impatiently.
You're not telling me the truth. 1t
was something else, or you wouldn't
have been so anxious to hide it."
ooh, but l assure you"
you can't Be honest with me. Mr..
Lanyard. 1t was an offer to let you off
if you'd give me up to Bannon-wasn't
it?"
Something like that" he assented a
bit sheepishly-''too absurd for con-
sideration. But now we're due to clear
out of this before they find way in.
Not that they're likely to risk rafdfng
US until they've tried starving us out,
but it would be as we'll to put a good
distance between US before they find
out we've decamped."
He shrugged himself into his Dor
rowed raincoat. buttoned it to his chin,
and turned down the brim of his soft
felt hat; but when he looked up at the
girl again he found she hadn't moved:
rather, she remained as one spellbound
by thought, staring less at than
through him, her expression inscruta-
ble
Well" he ventured-"if you're quite
ready, Miss Shannon"
Mr. Lanyard" she demanded al
most sharply, what was the full word
ing Of that message?"
IF you must know"
81 must"
He lifted a depreciative shoulder.
IF you like, I'll read it to you-or,
rather translate it from the thieves
argot Popinot complimented me by
using"
Not necessary" she said tersely.
''I'll take your word for it. But you
must tell me the truth"
"As you will Popinot delicately
suggested that if I leave you here, to
be reunited to your alleged parent
if I'll trust to his word of honor, that
is, and walk out of the house alone,
he'll give me twenty-four hours in
which to leave Paris"
Then only I stand between you
and"
MY dear young woman!" he pro-
tested hastily. please don't run away
with any absurd notion like that Do
you imagine I'd consent to treat with
such canaille under any circun2-
stances?"
All the same" she contended stub
bornly, I'm the stumbling block.
You're risking your life for me-
I'm not" he insisted almost angrily.
"You are" she returned with quiet
conviction.
well" he laughed, have it your
own way! But it's my life, isn't it?
really don't see how you're going to
prevent my risking it for anything that
may seem to me worth the risk"
But she wouldn't laugh; only her
countenance, suddenly bereft Of it's mu-
tinous expression, softened winningly
and her eyes grew very kind to him
''As long as it's understood 1 under
stand-very WE'LL" she said quietly,
"Ill do as you wish, Mr.. Lanyard"
Good" he cried cheerfully. ct wish,
by your leave, to take you out to din
ner. This way, pleased"
Leading her through the scullery, he
unbarred and swung open a low,
arched door in one of the walls, uncov-
ering the black mouth of a narrow
and tunnel-like passageWay that ran
off at right angles from the side of the
house
With word of caution, fiash-lamp in
his left hand, pistol in right, Lanyard
steppe3 out into the darkness.
In two minutes he was back with a
look Of relief.
"All clear" he reported; 81 felt
pretty sure Popinot was ignorant of
This ON arCcnov pyit-oIco uc'd bavo
entertained unlimited guests long
since. Now, half minute"
The electric meter occupied a place
on the wall of the scullery not far from
the door Frying open it's cover, he
unscrewed ard removed the fuse plug,
plunging the entire house in complete
darkness.
''That'H keep 'em guessing whilei"
he explained with a chuckle. They'll
hesitate long time before rushing
dark house infested by desperate
armed man-if l know anything about
that mongrel crew! Besides, when
they do get their courage up, the lack
Of light will stave off discovery of this
way Of escape. And now, one word
more"
A fash of the lamp located her hand.
Calmly he possessed himself of it.
1--WE brought you into trouble
enough as it is through my stupidity"
he said; but for that, this place
should have been a refuge to Us until
we were quite ready to leave Paris.