Tombstone epitaph., 1918-06-30

~rIi just take . peep under her bonnet and make sure that every. things as it ought to be before we get off." he said: and then. with Fitz- gerald safely In his seat. and the bon net as . screen. he contrived to slide out of his sleeve, . Smith and wes- son revolver. A folded bit of white paper was kept in place on the bar rel by means Of an innocent little red rubber band. As he slipped the re- volver from his hand into . deep pocket of his motor-coat Christopher pulled off and unfolded the paper. On one side . few words were written. which he absorbed in . secoLd in the eye of Scarlet Runners blazing lamp. ITO use instead of your unloaded one. in case anything should go wrong." were the instructions flashed into his mind before he crumpled up the paper into a ball and dropped 1t into his pocket after the revolver.
 "In case anything should go wrong." What could she mean7
 St. Romans Mount-a mount" only in name-lies near the Thames and not far from Clivenden, now. as Scar let Runner brought them swiftly near the place Fitzgerald repeated each detail of the program.
 Having passed through the en- trance gates. the car was to bear to the right instead of to the left, in the direction of the front door. It was to be driven along an avenue which circled round beneath the ballroom windows and stopped under a big glass door at the end of the room. This door would be curtained and. no doubt, fastened. but the key would be in the lock; and after the trick had been played. the four highway men," accompanied by the fair abbess. were to escape through this door. run | down a short flight of stone steps and find themselves close to their waiting motorcar.
 The young moon had gone to sleep long ago when Scarlet Runner wheeled through the open gates at St. Romans Mount, past the smiling lodge-keeper.
 We're here at exactly the right time," said Fitzgerald. Every soul but ourselves has come and is in the ballroom. We shall make our sensa- tionl Now. Mir. Race, can you turn your car round. ready to get away on the instant? That's 1t. There's our door,"
 Ten minutes later a procession of five dark figures was Hitting on foot round a short cut to the front door, They were admitted by footmen. and in the oak-lined vestibule a civil gentleman in evening dress asked to see their invitation cards. | 'T have one for myself and party of four friends" said Miss Dauvray, lift ing for an instant, as required, her abbess' veil, and also showing an illuminated square of pasteboard. The last guests were ushered into fine hall, where the two hostesses had stood to receive their friends earlier in the evening. Now they had gone into the ballroom, and the hall was empty.
 There's the door," said Fitzgerald. There's only that one, and the glass door at the far end. through which we go when all's ready. Mcclellan, you must keep this door. I want Race at the other. as he's chauffeur and should be out first to start the car for us. You all three remember the signal for throwing of our robes7 I-when I say Pax vobiscum" to Miss van Bouten, who'll be Undine. in paie green. with showers of diamonds and pearls as we know for certain, thanks to Miss Dauvray."
 A moment after they were inside | the ballroom In a blaze of light, Chris | tOpher's eyes were dazzled by a scene of enchantment.
 One monk fingered by the door. The other three and the abbess wound through the brilliant crowd towards the gold curtains at the far end of the room. Christopher went on, an- swering jests that were tossed to him as he passed: and he reached the glass door and turned just in time to see Fitzgerald accost Urdine. She, a charming girlish figure. shook her head and pointed to a Louis XIV. l gorgeous as sun-god.
 Pax vobiscum '" cried the discard ed monk raising aloft his rosary. And with that there were suddenly four highwaymen-masked belted, and slouch-hatted-where four reverend friars had stood.
 Now was F1tzgerald's great chance, and with an that was in him of ira- matic talent he made the most of it. He had but one assistan. in the blithe game of holding up the company. for Mcclellan kept one door and Race the other; but Jack Sheppard himself could not have cut . braver dash than gay Fitzgerald.
 'In case anything should go wrong" If Miss Dauvray had meant this-meant him to guess, meant to give him something by which. if his wits were quick and his courage high, he could stop the game!
 Suddenly his head was clear as a bell If he did the thing which had