The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-09-22
SMUGGLER''

10 your boat mouse WIN MS con-
Moderate, this man Blake"
uttered a smothered ejacula-
Ftion.
There is more to come" she
said. land l do not quite know
how to tell you. Tonight, when
you are all here at the ball, these
two men intend to force an en-
trance to your cottage. I know
this to be true-in fact. they have
already gone"
She paused abruptly and added
In tone of real solicitude:
Have hurt you 30 very
much?"
NO." / fastened to reply; enc
of course not. Why should / be
hurt? He is nothing to me. But
you must prove It.: you might be
mistaken, you know"
II will prove it," she said
catching up a wrap and handing II
to me. Would you believe me Il
you saw with your own eyes Then
come with me. You are quite safe
do not be afraid"
l was not afraid, but as I walk.
ed by her side down the familiar
little path to our cottage l won
dered dimly why she had brought
me there-why she had not Sc
lected one of the others.
I'VE have nothing valuable, u
said, at last. He knows that
you have my pearls" she re.
turned; "but of course you have
never mentioned them"
| stopped short, horror-struck
What had | not done by my
thoughtless gossiping?
"Oh, but. l did" / cried. 81
did! / told him about the safe
and what was in it,"
All"
1t was short exclamation
pregnant with meaning. Then she
turned quickly and took my hand
in hers.
{ Never mind" she whispered;
1T will be all right. Don't wor-
ry."
tried to say something, but
she motioned me to be silent, for
we were approaching the cottage
now, and she stepped softly, as
though fearing to disturb some
one. At the corner of the no use
she paused, listened a moment,
then beckoned me to come near
Ter and pointed toward the kitch-
en-.
At the outer door leading into
the cellar knelt two figures. men
in evening clothes.
mo use." said Mr.. Blake's
even voice; "this door seems to
be fastened by an iron bar in
side. We must try the boat
house again."
Yes replied Gordon Bennett,
u hope we'll have luck with the
boat-house this time"
; AS they disappeared down the
steps leading to the slip, my COM
panion followed them. still hold
ing my hand and drawing me aft
er her.
Look she whispered.
And l again saw the two men
before the boat-house, Just as
had seen them once before. Lady
Edith's face appeared very white
and haggard in the moonlight
and the light shawl she wore rose
and fell swiftly with her quick
breath.
1T holds!" she calculated. 1.-THE
door holds!"
1t seemed to be a staunch door
indeed, for at last they ceased
working over it and retired to
the end Of the slip. talking earn
estly.
They have given it up" she
whispered, and her voice seemed
to thrill exultantly. See, they
are going away. They are easily
discouraged, are they not?"
1t was quite true, they were
going away. We saw them steE
into their little boat and glide
over the moonlit water.
You are safe for tonight" sh,
said. Il am almost sorry | tolt
you, for they will not return. ant
tomorrow they cannot. Let us ~
back to the hotel, and forget it,
shook my head and watched
the little boat, now a mere specl
on the sparkling water.
II am not going back" | sal,
DULY. II do not care to dance
I'm going home. Mary Anne il
there, and l shall not be afraid
Will you tell the girls l do no
feel well, and came homer"
Poor child" she said. 81 un
derstand. | knew you would no
go back, and arranged with VIII
frid to bring the others home. H,
knows all about it, but he will
not speak until l see him. | will
stay with you"
l would much rather have beef
alone, but could not be migrate
full enough to say so.
Lady Edith was very gentl
and very tactful when she wen
back into the cottage with me
She explained to Mary Anne tina
had one of my bad headache
and wanted to go quietly to bed
She told her also to bring me
cup of hot tea, and when | re
sisted followed her into the hall
and / heard low-voiced CONVEX
sation, of which I distinguish,
ohly the concluding sentences:
Very WELL" said Mary Anne
IN tone of sullen remonstranc
that surprised me; very well
| III make the tea, but III give /
| to 'er meself. SO / will. I'll hav
mo and in"
/ That is quite enough" sal,
Lady Edith sharply. You will
make the tea and bring 1t here
vi will come out and get IL an,
take 1t to Miss Elise"
After all, IL was Mary Ann
who brought me the tea, pushin
the bedroom door open an,
marching to my side with tn
i manner of one datarmf,,ad ~ A