The Washington times., 1918-08-01

action. / have not fully mastered
the situation yet"
There is no hurry" said Lillian
We cannot leave the house till
after lunch. Esther had ordered
that for half-past one, I believe
Yes" Esther touched the bell.
u must say that there will be three
to lunch instead of two"
Presently the old butler appeared,
and TO him Esther gave her instruc-
tions- He shuffled about the room
as II he wished to say something.
Esther followed him to the door.
~What is it, West?"
~PIease, ma'am, Paul has just had
q telegram I asked him il it was to
say that Mr.. Borradale is coming
back, and he said, Yes, tonight 1
thought had better tell you, ma'am-
Am still to meet you at the sta
tdon?"
Il win tell you after lunch. West
We are discussing the question
now"
The old man nodded his head and
withdrew. Lillian returned to her
friends.
Harold is coming back tonight"
she said. fHThe point to be decided
seems to be whether we should fol-
low out our present determination
70 escape or wait for him here"
L distinctly adhere to my advice"
said Lillian, "and / think DR.. Fleet
wood will agree with me when he
knows all the circumstances. Here
we shall be at a disadvantage; in
New York we can dictate-or, rath-
er, Esther can dictate her own
terms"
aAnd now tell me everything, Mrs.
wIlloughby." Basil drew up his
chair, and prepared to listen atten-
lively. you understand that know
as much OF the Borradale history
Is Esther herself"
Lillian Tells Whole Story.
So Lillian told the whole story,
Esther adding details here and
there when they seemed to be re-
CURED. Basirs indignation rose as
the tale progressed.
The man must be mad" he cried
angrily when he learned that Esther
was being practically held a prison.
er, and that night after night she
had been drugged by the fumes Of
some subtle poison
81 don't think he Is mad" said
n. L
under the influence of that horrible
creature-whatever 1t is-that has
been introduced into this house. And
he is a physical wreck from the
cause of some poison-probably that
same that has been administered to
Esther"
at seems useless to worry our
selves about reasons, or to try to
explain these mysteries at present"
Basil had risen from his chair, and
stood with his back to the fact
facing the two women ''It is enough
that Esther appears to be in un-
doubted danger. You have a mys-
terious being, a creature evidently
full of malice. shut up in this house,
and playing devils tricks upon the
inmates. You have a british lot
of servants banded together to keep
Esther a prisoner-it is outrageous.
/ distinctly advise flight, and then
from & place of safety an immedi-
ate demand for explanations and
for a satisfactory arrangement to be
arrived at It is impossible for
Esther to continue living under the
same roof with such a man as Har-
old Borradale has become. 1 saw
him before he last went away, and
his very appearance Is a disgrace
to humanity. I don't know with
what drug he is poisoning himself,
but it is something subtle and vile.
I'll swear TO that. You propose to
20 to New York today? He address,
ed himself particularly to Lillian
you will let me Gomez"
at hoped you would do So"
Esther drew a deep breath; 1t was
obviously a sigh Of content.
"And where will you take Es-
ther!"
ssTo ny house in Fifth avenue.
She will be safe there. You did not
know that I have become a rich
woman since ! saw you last DR..
Fleetwood" She smiled as she
spoke.
His Thoughts of Esther.
Good" He paid scant heed to
Lflian's statement as to her. in
herited wealth. His thoughts evil
IDENTIFY were wholly with Esther.
From your house she will be able
to communicate with her husband,
and the whole matter must be set
tied, even IL it involves an appeal
to the courts. At present we have
to face the difficulty Of getting
away from this house"
'I don't think there will be any
attempt to hinder us" said Lillian;
mot il we carry out the scheme
we have plotted. The servants do
not know that there is any inten-
tion OF flight. and they cannot pre-
vent Mrs. Borradale and myself
walking with you 10 the village
after Iunca. We will order a cab
at the hotel in the village and drive
quietly to the station. Once away
from the house 1 cannot see how we
can be stopped"
at seems the best plan" said
Basil, thouGhtfully, unless we
started at once" He was evidently
anxious to be gone.
II think that might cause suspi-
cion," put in Esther. "It Is very
near the luncheon hour. and it
might seem strange that you should
be leaving at such a time. 1 saw
Paul wandering on the terrace just
now; he was evidently spying upon
us. His ugly face appeared at the
window and then vanished again"
So it. was decided that the origi-
nal arrangement should be adhered
to and that they should not attempt
TO leave the house till after lunch.
As there were a few minutes to
spark Basil asked thatA he might
be allowed to see the pictures,