Charlevoix county herald., 1917-11-23

scream a. our swords crossed. and
with her hands over her ears she ran
from the room.
ing Of my ability as q swordsman. but
surely the stigma placed on his lack
Of skill my the man, Merwin. was jus
titled. The fellow was an infant at
fencing. might have played with
him al day without myself receiving
. wound. but had no time to waste.
and I hated him with an intensity that
was unholy. I would kill him quickly
and rid the world of o devil.
But 1t was not for me to do II. Mel.
ton knew just enough Of the art Of
fencing to be aware that he had NO
chance against me. and as drove him
backward and would presently have
him against the wall where he could
not escape. he took the only possible
way to save his life: that Is. he sud.
denly threw down his sword and ran
from the room.
However, would not let him get
away In that fashion. and so put AZ
ter him. cursing him for Q coward a.
pullad open the door he had slammed
after him. and which led into tho hall
Of the great building. l was cut In
time to see him 60 bounding up the
front stairs. fear having put wings to
his heels.
Up ] went after him, both of us
meeting the wench, who flattened her.
self against the wall to let US pass,
and who screamed again as she saw
my face, AT the top of the stairs he
turned, and seeing me following,
sword in hand. he, too, screamed. Civ.
ing vent to yell that could only come
from the throat Of coward In fear of
sudden death; then he tore up the
second flight to the attic. SO close
behind that by the time he was ON the
top step was at the bottom.
thought to have him then, there
being no higher spot save the cupola,
but, 20 my surprise, he made for the
little flight Of steps leading aloft, and
as reached the level of the attic he
had got to tn. door at the foot of the
boxed stairway and ran In, drawing
the door close and holding down the
fail OF the latch 30 that could not
open 1t. He had escaped me for the
moment, but l had him freed, though
l could spend little time on him just
then.
But whatever else happened Melton
must not be allowed to become agrees
sive. As he had made q prisoner of
himself, prisoner he should ,main,
at least until Agnes and I had gone.
For now my rage and exertion had
cooled my blood somewhat. and as the
way Of escape appeared open, was
rather glad that had not slain the
man in a moment OF passion. HOwev.
er. made him fast, and 1t was an easy
matter. The attic contained plenty
Of ancient furniture. and I dragged
piece after piece against the cupola
door.
Then l went downstairs and met
the girl in the room she had run from,
her round cheeks white with fear.
She whlmpered as she saw me. did
did you kill him?" she whispered In
an awestricken voice.
mo. I don't kill cowarus." l said.
DO you know Mfstres: ksEss p ssr
row?"
Her lace frightened. "Of course"
: "She 10 outside now. She has been
prosecuted by that villain. She is wet,
faint. cold, and hungry. Give me some.
thing for her"
Heaven bless the wench! II she
thought Of Agnes az a political ref.
uges she gave no sign of 1t, and she
was all so!icitude at once.
And ! patrolled the house from
front to rear, my car trained for what
might be happening in the cupola, ny
eye on the road from the north, watch
Ing for the returning horseman. Agnes
had recovered sufficiently to walk, and
I was to give the alarm the moment
the troopers hove in sight. Then we
were to go. had already robbed the
governors blanket closet and had
quite q pile Of plumber to take to the
boat. Agnes should suffer NJ more.
But not a sign Of a dragon did I
see. nor threatening sound did l
hear. Finally. as the dusk deepened,
determined to go.
And go we did, taking a bundle of
blankets for protection from the rain,
and also Melton's sword for q trophy;
and the sword have now. l supported
the girl, who was still weak, and thus
we went from Governor Robinson's
house. not pausing until we had pass.
ed over the rear lawn and reached the
head Of the stairway leading to the
river below. There the girl halted to
rest, and at that moment, through the
drip OF the rain caught the raffle Of
hoofs, and knew that we had escaped
none too soon. Il think we may laugh
at them new" said, passing an arm
around the girls waist. She turned
and looked back toward the great
house we had left, and was about to
make some answer, but instead, she
grasped me by the arm and pointed.
See there! See there!" she ex.