The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-07-21
''The Little Grey Shoe"
BY Percy Brebner.
Copyright, 1913,, by
Little, Brown G. Co.

CONTINUED from Our Last Issue)
go quickly" whispered my
lady.
But the sentryf"
"He knows. He is friend and
Is waiting for u.s."
Even as we crossed the hall, a
yell startled the echoes. With a
quick movement OConnell kicked
open tie door.
There's time" he shouted to
encourage us. Secrecy and ST.
| ice could be Of service no long
err, for our enemies had already
reached the hall.
My lady and the girl had passed
through the door before the rush
was upon us.
Nov. Captain" cried O'Con-
nell, and the first man to reach
us was hurled back amongst his
fellows, throwing them into con-
fusion for a moment. Then we
were struggling for our lives.
Can the history of few crowd
ed moments be told precisely? Is
it possible to explain how I lived
to tell this history at all?
was conscious of quick thrust
and parry, and the soft resistance
of flesh to my point, and l was
through the door, retreating back
wards. The flight of stairs which
led down to the first dungeons
had only single turn in it and
was wide enough for three men
to walk abreast. The retreat once
begun, there was no stopping, the
pressure must drive us down, but
O'Connell and l were able to keep
our feet to the foot of these stairs.
1--WE are here" whispered my
lady. She and the maid were
evidently at the foot Of these
stairs, but we could not see them.
To the end of my days / shall
remember O'Connell, for / know
all owe to him.
Now is your time, Captain"
he said. 81 can hold them while
you go down the next flights"
did not move. Though I knew
my lady waited, I must stay.
60" he said again. gasping
out the short word as he fought.
But I did not move. Down those
stairs O'Connell and l must go
together.
"O'ConnelI! O'Connell!"
think l knew that was call
ing into ears deaf for all time.
Qnick movements were on the
Isteps above me, a thinner of light
upon the walls-and my lady
waited. For few moments, at
least, the way was blocked. BY
his death, O'Connell might have
saved us, and I sprung down the
remaining steps eager to seize the
advantage.
(Which way?" said.
"This," answered the child.
Quickly, then"
We plunged into the darkness
of a passage, hands Joined, say
ing no word as we hurried over
| the uneven floor.
To right and left the child led
us, a tortuous path. and so intri-
cate that my mind was full of
misgivings. Was ii possible she
could be certain of the way in the
dark? She never hesitated, and
we left our enemies behind us.
They had forced their way past
that grewsome barrier on the
stairs, they were in the passages,
and had lanterns to help them !;
but it was evident they were I'M
certain of their direction.
"The door," the child said,
stopping abruptly. do you feel
it 4"
She took my hand and put my
fingers on the lock.
Here is the key"
The key slipped into its right
position and turned easily.
Straight down the sloping
ground into the woods" said the
child. Leave the key in the
lock, sir; I will shut the door
after YOU
Eve must lock it on the out
SIDE" said my lady.
NO." answered the child, de-
cidedly. 81 will lock 1t on the in
side. I am going no farther with
YOU"
"You must"
mo, no, my lady. You are
dressed as a man. From the walls,
If they chance to see you, they
will not think that a woman has
escaped. My dress might betray
you. II they reach this door by
chance they will find it locked
and know that no one has passed
this way. For hours and hours
they will hunt through these pas
sages and you will have time to
reach safety"
"You cannot stay" said.
Those men behind"
"They will not find me. know
of many places where I can hide.
| am not afraid. I shall have the
key. Some day soon I will run
away from Syere and find you,
my lady"
"You shall come now" l said,
thrusting out my hand to grasp
her wrist.
My hand did not touch her. She
had darted back into the passage.
We both called to her softly, but