The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1919-06-27
CHAPTER xiv-continued.

the builder, was reasonably sure to be
abandoned. In all probability some
sort of stone-cutter's shed would be
found nearby. 1t would provide shelter
from the fine rain that was falling and
from the chill night air. He remem-
bered that O'Dowd, in discussing the
erection of Green Fancy the night be-
fore, had said that the stone came
from pit two miles away, where a
Hne quality of granite had been found.
Two miles, according to Barnes quick
calculations, would bring the pit close
to the northern boundary of the Curtis
property and almost directly on line
with the point where he and Sprouse
entered the meadow at the beginning
of their advance upon Green Fancy.
That being the case, they were now
quite close to the stake and rider fence
separating the Curtis land from that
of the farmer on the north.
Good" he said, more to himself
than to her. 81 begin to see light. Are
down there for a look around?
sha'n't be gone more than a couple of
minutes"
1.-THE way / feel at present" she
said, jerkily, 81 shall never, never from
j this instant till the hour in which
die. let go of your coat-tails, Mr..
Barnes" Suiting the action to the
word, her fingers resolutely fastened
not upon the tail of his coat but upon
his sturdy arm. Il wouldn't stay here
alone for anything in the world"
Heaven bless you," he exclaimed,
suddenly exalted. "And, since you put
1t that way, shall always contrive to
be within arms length"
And so, together, they ventured
along the edge of the pit until they
reached the wagon road at the bottom
As he had expected, there was q ram
shackle shed hard by. 1t was not
much of place, but it was deserted
sad a safe shelter for the moment
A workman's bench lay on its side in
the middle of the earthen floor. He
YiShted it and drew it over to the
boarding. She laid her head
against his shoulder and sighed deeply.
He kept his eyes glued on the
door and listened for the first ominous
s0lind outside. A long time afterward
she stirred.
"Are you cold? You are wet"
at was the excitement, the nervous
ness. Mr.. Barnes" she said, drawing
cit tlx, h
ly dnybreak?"
He locked at his watch. "Three
o'clock" he said.
There ensued another period of ST.
lence. She remained slightly aloof
you'd better lean against me-" he
said ct last. 81 am softer than the
beastly boards, you know, and quite as
harmless"
"Thank you," she said, and promptly
settled herself against his shoulder.
"It is better" she sighed.
NWould you mind telling me some
tAing about yourself, Miss Cameron? !
should like to know whether 1 am to
address you as princess, duchess, Or
just plain Miss"
II am more accustomed to plain
Miss, Mr.. Barnes, than to either of
the titles you would give me-"
"Don't you feel that l am deserving
OF little enlightenment" he asked. 81
attn working literally as well as fig
uratively in the dark. Who are you E?
Why were you a prisoner at Green
Fancy? Where and what is your ma
tive lanG?"
"Mr. Barnes, / cannot answer any
one of your questions without jeopar-
dizing a cause that is dearer to me
am sorry. pray God day may soon
come when l can reveal everything to
you-and to the world. l am of a
stricken country; am trying to serve
the unhappy house that has ruled it
for centuries and is now in the direst
peril. The man you know as Loeb is
prince of that house. l may say this
to you, and 1t will serve to explain my
position at Green Fancy: he is not the
prince | was led to believe awaited me
there. He is the cousin of the man
exaected to meet, and he is the enemy
OK the branch of the house that l
would serve. Do not ask me to say
more"
Your sympathies are with the en-
tonte allies, the princes are opposed?
L. shat part of Sprouses story true?"
"Yes."
Sand O'Dowd?"
"O'Dowd is i-English, Mr.. Barnes,
If chat conveys anything to you. He
IS not prc-German."
"Wasn't it pretty risky for you to
carry the crown jewels around in a
travelling bag, Miss Cameron"
Il suppose so. 1t turned out, how
eSer, that it was the safest, surest
way. had them in my possession for
three days before coming TO Green
Fancy. No one suspected. l was to
deliver them to one of their rightful
owners, Mr.. Barnes-a loyal prince of
the blood"
But why here?" he insisted.
'He was to take them into Canada,
and thence, in good time, to the palace
OF his ancestors"
II am to understand, then. that not
only you but the committee you speak
OF. fell into a carefully prepared trap.
IAe treachery, therefore, had its in
eeption in the loyal nest. You We're be-
tFayed by friend"
II am sure of it," she said bitterly.
If this man Sprouse does not sue
ICED in restoring the-oh, believe
hall bill r,,vSalf Mr. pornaS