Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1916-04-20
tress of the establishment

n62Q ana spoke over ner shoulder.
Promptly there came into view sec
ond woman of much the same age, but
even more strong and able of appear
| ance-a woman in plain, dark gar
ments, undoubtedly madame's maid
Handing over her handbag, Nine
| Omber unattached the throat Of her err
mine cloak and surrendered it to the
| servants hands.
Her next words were audible to the
eavesdropper, and reassuring in so far
as they indicated ignorance of any
thing amiss:
Thank you, Sidonie. You may go
to bed now"
Madame will not require me to IN
dress herr"
/ I'm not ready yet. When l am,
can take care of myself It's late
much later than I usually keep you up,
SidOnie, and l prefer you to go to bed
1t doesn't improve your temper to lose
your beauty sleep"
MANY thanks, madame. Good
night, madame"
Goodnight"
The maid moved off toward the main
staircase, while the mistress of the
house turned deliberately through the
salon toward the library
At this, swinging back to the girl in
| a stride, and impulsively grasping her
wrist to compel attention, Lanyard
spoke in a rapid whisper, mouth close
beside her cheek.
This way" he said, imperatively
drawing her toward the window by
| which he had entered. There's a bal
cOny outside-a short drop to the
| ground" And unlatching the window,
he urged her through it TRY to leave
by the back gateway-the one l
showed you avoiding Ekstrom-'
But you are coming!" she insisted,
| hanging back.
Impossible. There isn't time for us
both to escape undetected | shall keep
her interested only long enough to give
you plenty of time to get away But
| take this"-and he pressed his auto
matte into her hand "No-take it
I've another" he lied, land you may
need it. Don't fear for me, but go
oh, my heart-go!"
The footballs of Nine Omber were
sounding ominOusly near by this time;
and without giving the girl more time
to protest, Lanyard thrust her forcibly
through the windows, closed them,
shot the latch and stole like a ghost
round the farther side of the desk,
pausing within few feet of the screen
and safe.
The footsteps were muf1ed by a rug
in the drawing rOom-the woman was
walking slowly, heavily, like one
weary and thoughtful.
Where the girl had placed it, behind
the cinnabar screen, the desk-lamp was
still alight, and Lanyard knew that the
diffusion of it's reflected rays was
enough to project his figure in silhou-
cite against the glow distinctly visible
to one on the threshold.
Now everything hung upon the tenn
permanent of the householder how she
would take that pparition-whether
quietly, deceived by Lanyard's mum
ming into believing she had only a
poor thievish fool to deal WITH or with
bourgeoise hysteria.
In the latter event, Lanyard's hand
was ready planted, palm down, on the
top of the desk; should the other at
tempt to raise an alarm, a single bound
would carry the adventurer across it in
full flight for the front doors.
In the doorway the mistress of the
house appeared and halted, quick,
glinting eyes shifting from the glow
on the floor to the dark figure of the
thief. Then, with quick gesture, put
ting forth hand, she found the chan
delier switch and turned on a blaze
of light.
AS this happened Lanyard covered,
| lifting an elbow as if to guard his face
as if expecting to find himself under
the muzzle Of a revolver.
The gesture had the calculated eff
feet Of focusing the attention of the
woman directly to him, after one swift
glance round had taken in the curtains
that were still swaying at the window,
and shown her room tenanted only
by herself and cringing thief. And
Immediately It was made manifest that,
whether or not deceived, she meant
to take the situation quietly, if with
| strong hand
| Her eyes narrowed and the muscles
| Of her square and almost masculine
| jaw stood out omfnousIy as she looked
the intruder up and down in silence.
Eventually flicker Of contempt mod
Grated the grimness of her dark coun-
| tenance. She took three steps for
ward, stopping on the other side Of the
desk, her back to the doorway.
Lanyard trembled visibly
.'Well!"-the word doomed like the
opening gun of an engagement. well,
my man!"-the shrewd eyes swerved
| to the closed door of the safe and
quickly again-"you don't seem
to have accomplished a great DEAL"
Lanyard gripped the edge of the
desk. quivering.
| For Gods sake, madame" he blurt-
| ed in husky, shaken voice, nothing
| like his own-"don't have me arrest
| ed! Give me chance! | haven't
| taken anything. Don't call the f1ics!"
He paused, lifting an uncertain hand
| toward his throat, as if his tongue had
gone dry.
/ Come oOmpf' tho uyoroo n opC1rorod