The Spectator., 1916-04-28

Olf, they are moving back toward. the house.
 So Norton carried the basket around to the lawn, where it was taken from his hands by the regular servant. He sighed as he saw Florence. laughing and chatting with a man who was a stranger and whom he heard ad- dressed as count. Some friend of the countess, no doubt. Where was all this tangle going to end? He wished he knew. And what yarn he was going | to write some day! It would be read l like one of Gaboriau's tales. He turned away to wander idly about the grounds, when beyond clump of ce- l dars he saw three or four men convers- | ing slowly. He got as near as possible. l for when three or four men put their 1 heads together and whisper animated | ly, 1t usually means poker game or something worse. He caught phrase or two as it came down the wind. and | then he knew that the vague suspi- cion that had brought him out here had been set fin motion by fate. He | heard Florence" and the old draw | ing room:" and that was enough. i He scurried about for Jones. It was pure luck that he had had old Meg | show him through the house. other wise he would have forgotten all about the secret panel in the wall and the 1 painting. Jones shrugged resignedly. | Were these men of the countess l party? Norton couldn't say. ] Norton made his hiding place in safety; and by and by he could hear 1 the guests moving about in the room. l Then all sounds ceased for while. A door closed sharply.
 l No; here you must stay. young ] lady," said mans voice.
 What do you mean, sir?" demanded the beloved voice.
 Tt means that no one will return to this room and that you will not be missed until it is too late. The sound of voices stopped ab- ruptly. and something like scuffling ens1ed. Later Norton heard the back of a chair strike the panel and some one sat heavily upon it. He waited perhaps five minutes then he gently slid back the panel. Florence sat bound and gagged under his very eyes. It was but the work of a moment to liberate her.
 Tt is I, Jim. Do not speak or make the least noise. Follow me"
 Greatly astonished, Florence obeyed and the panel slipped back into place. The room behind the secret panel had barred windows. To Florence 1t ap- peared to be a real prison.
 How did you get here?" she asked breathlessly.
 Something told me to follow you. And something is always going to tell me to follow you. Florence"
 She pressed his hand. It was to her , as if one of those book heroes had stepped out of book; only book he roes always had tremendous fortunes and did not have to work for liv- ing. Oddly enough, she was not afraid.
 Who was the man.? he asked.
 The Count Norfeldt. Some one has imposed upon the countess"
 Do you think so?" with strange look in his eyes
 What do you mean?"
 Nothing just now. The idea is to get out of here just as quickly as we can See this painting?" He touched a spot in the wall and the painting slowly swung out like door. Come We make our escape to the side lawn from here.'
 At the stable they were confronted with the knowledge that Norton's car was out of commission; Jones could do nothing with it. Then Norton suggest ed that he make a effort to com mandeer the limousine of the count ess; but there were men about, so the limousine was out of the question.
 "Horses," whispered Jones. There are several saddle horses. already sad dled. How about these people, the owners?"
 "Oh. they are beyond reproach. They have doubtless been imposed upon But let us get aboard first. There will be time to talk later. I'll have to dc some explaining. taking these nags ofI like this We won't have to ride out in front where the picknickers are There's a lane back of the stable. and a slight detour brings us back into the main road"
 The three mounted and clatteret away. To Florence 1t had the air oi prank. She was beginning to have such confidence in these two inventive men that she felt as if she was never going to be afraid any more.
 When the Countess Olga saw the three horses it was an effort not tC fly into a rage. But secretly she warned her people. who presently gave chase in the limousine, while shs prattled and tested and laughed with her company. who were quite unaware that a drama was being enacted right under their very noses. The countess while she acted superbly. tore hel handkerchief into shreds There wal