The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1919-09-04


you" he said. and they stole forward
There were no lights visible \ The
house was even darker than the night
Itself; II was vaguely outlined by n
deeper shade ~ black.
At last they were within n few
yards Of the entrance and at the ecge
OF small space that had been cleared
Of shrubbery. Here Sprouse stopped
and began 10 adjust the sections Of
his fishing rod.
write" he whispered "There Is n
faint glow Of light up there to the
right. The third window, did you sayT
Well, that's about where should
locate IT,"
The tiny metallic tip Of the rod,
held in the upstretched hand OF
men, barely reached the window ledge.
He tapped gently. persistently on the
hard surface. Just as they were be-
ginning TO think that she was asleep
and that their efforts were in vain
thelr straining eyes made out a shad-
owy object projecting slightly beyond
the sill.
After moment or two Of suspense
Barnes experienced a peculiar. almost
electric shock. Someone had seized
the tip Of the rod; IL stiffened sud-
denly. the vibrations due to Its fiex-
Utility ceasing. Someone was untying
the bit Of paper he had fastened to
the rod. and with fingers that shook
and were clumsy with eagerness.
He had written: 81 am outside with
trusted friend, ready to do your
bidding. Two Of the guards are safely
bound and out Of lhe way. Now is
our chance. We will never have an
other. II you are prepared to come
with me now write me word or two
and drop IL TO the ground will pass
up rope to you and you may lower
anything you wish to carry away with
you. But be exceedingly careful. Take
time. Don't hurry single one Of
your movements" He signed II with a
large "B."
II seemed an hour before their eyes
distinguished the shadowy head above.
AS a matter Of fact but few min
utes had passed. During the wait
Sprouse had nOiselessly removed his
coat, proceeding that puzzled Barnes.
Something light fell to the ground. II
was Sprouse who stopped and searched
for II in the grass. When he resumed
an upright posture he put his lips
close to Barnes ear and whispered:
II Will put my coat over your head.
Here Is little electric torch. Don't
flash II until | am sure the coat is
arranged so that you can do so with
out CLEAN of light getting out from
under" He pressed the torch and a
bit Of closely folded paper in the
others hand and carefully draped the
coat over his head.
Barnes read: Thank Godi 1 was
afraid you would wait until tomorrow
night. Then II would have been too
late. l must get away tonight but I
cannot leave-l dare not leave without
something that is concealed In an
other part of the house do not
know how to secure IT, My door is
locked from the outside. What am
to do? | would rather die than to go
away without it."
Hastily he wrote: "If you do not
come at once. we will force our way
into the house and fight II out with
them all. My friend is coming I'D the
vines. Let him enter the window. Tell
him where To 90 and he will do the
rest. He is miracle man. Nothing
is impossible to him. II he does not
return in ten minutes. shall follow"
There was no response TO this. The
head reappeared in the window. but no
word came down.
Sprouse whispered: 81 am going M.
Stay here. II you hear a cOmmOtiOn
in the house. run for il. Don't wait
for me. II! probably be done for"
an do just as | please about run
ming" said Barnes, and there was
deep thrill In mis- whisper. "Good luck.
God help you II they catch you"
"Not even he could help me then.
Good-by. I'll do what / can to induce
her TO drop out of the window II any
thing goes wrong with me downstairs"
A moment later he was silently
scaling the wall Of the house, feeling
his way carefully. testing every pre-
carious foothold. dragging himself
painfully upwards by means of the
most uncanny. anlmal-like strength
and stealth.
Barnes could not recall drawing a
single breath from the instant the man
left his side until the family luminous
square above his head was obllterated
by the black Of his body as 1t wriggled
over the ledge.
We will follow Sprouse. When he
crawled through the window and stood
erect inside the room. he found him
self confronted by tall, shadowy fig
ure. standing halfway between him
and the door.
He advanced a step or two and ut
tered a soft hiss OF warning.
"Not a sound" he whispered. draw
ing still nearer 81 have come four
thousand miles TO help you. countess.
This is not the time or place to ex-
plain. We haven't a moment to waste.
l need only say that have been sent
from Paris by persons you know TO aid
you In delivering the crown jewels into
A. =