The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1920-08-12
Downright. II
CHAPTER Y.
Continued
y ERoNIQUEs features under
~ went a transformation.
Then we're safe now!"
"Thpre's no douht of that

AAI huh Iilt hlObOE DO1l az MS hAn-
posal."
"He has never been there, because
he doesn't know of the bay nor OF
the way down to II either; you can't
see them from the open sea. Besides,
they are protected by a thousand
sharp pointed rocks"
And what's to prevent us from
leaving at once?"
THE darkness. mother I'm a good
mariner and accustomed to navigate
all the channels that lead away from
Sarek, but | should not be at all sure
of not striking some reef or other.
No. we must wait for daylight
1T seems so long!"
"A few hours patience, mother.
And we are together, you and |! At
break of dawn Wen take the boat
and begin by hugging the foot of the
cliff till we are underneath the cells.
Then we'll pick up Stephane, who Of
course will be waiting for us on some
strip of beach, and we'll adj be off,
won't we, ALPS Well? Wen land at
POnt- Liable at f12 ocock or so.
That's my plan"
Veronique could not contain her de-
light and admiration. She was aston
ished to find so young a boy giving
proofs of such self-p possession.
/ It's splendid darling, and you're
right In everything. Luck Is decid-
eddy coming our way"
The evening passed without incl
dents. An alarm, however, noise
under the rubbish which blocked the
underground passage and a ray OF
light trickling through a slit obliged
them to mount guard until the MIN
ute of their departure. But 1t did not
affect their spirits
"Why, of course, I'm easy in my
mind" said Francois. prom. the
moment when found you again felt
that it was for good. Besides, If the
worst came to the worst, have we
not last hope left? Stephane spoke
to you about it, l expect. And 1t
makes you laugh, my confidence in
rescuer whom | have never seen.
Well, TN tell you, mother, II | were
to see a dagger about to strike me l
should be certain, absolutely certain,
mind you, that a hand would come
and ward off the blow "
Alas" she said, that providential
hand did not prevent all the misfor-
tunes Of which 1 told your
at will keep off those which
threaten my mother" declared the
boy.
How? This unknown friend has
not been warned"
doesn't need to be warned to know
how great the danger is. He Will
come. And, mother, promise ne one
thing: whatever happens, you must
have confidence,"s
81 will have confidence, darling,
promise you"
And you will be right" he said,
laughing, for 1 shall be the leader.
And what q leader, eh, mother? Why,
yesterday evening 1 foresaw that, to
carry the enterprise through success
fully and so that my mother sh 0uld be
neither cold nor hungry, in case we
were not able to take the boat this
afternoon, we must have food and
rugsl Well, they viii be of use 10 us
tonight, seeing that for prudcnce's
sake we mustn't abandon our post
here nd sleep at the Priory. Where
did you put the parcel, mother?"
They ate gayly and with a good APP
petite. Then Francois wrapped his
mother up and tucked her in and they
both fell asleep, lying close together,
happy and unafraid.
When the keen air of the morning
awoke Veronique, a belt of rosy light
streal- d the sky. Francois was Sleep
ing the peaceful sleep Of a child that
feels itself protected and is untroubled
ny uTtdlllS. It VI Il lOllB llAllt SIG JuoL
sat gazing at him without wearying,
and she was still looking at him when
the sun was high above the horizon.
ITO work, mother" he said. aftcr
he had opened his eyes and given hcc
kiss. mo one in the tunnel? No.
Then we have plenty of time to 70
on board"
They took the rugs and provisions
and, with brisk steps, went toward
tho descent leading to the Postern.
at the extreme end OF the island.
heaped up in formidable confusion;
and the sea, though calm, Tapped
against them noisily.
81 hope your boats there still"
said 'Veronique.
Lean over a little, mother. You
can see her down there, hanging m
that crevice. We haves only TO WORK
the pulley to get her afloat. Oh it's
all very we'll thought out. mother
darling! We have nothing to fear.
He had interrupted himself ana
was thinking.
What? What is h2" asked veron-'
ique.
"Oh, nothing! A slight delay"
But
He began to laugh.
Really, Tor the leader or an eX-
petition, it's rather humiliatinS, l
admit. Just fancy, I've forgotten one
thing: the oars. They are at the
PROXY"
but this is terrible!" cried veron-
ique.
'"Why? I'll run to the Prlorv AMI
1 shall be back in ten minutes"
All Veronique's apprehensions re-
turned:
And suppose they make their way
out Of the tunnel meanwhile?"
Come, come, mother" he laughed,
you promised to have confidence. To
get out of the tunnel would take
them an hours hard work; and we
should hear them. Besides, what's
the use Of talking more? I'll be back
at once"
He ran off.
Francois! Francois"
He did not reply.
oh" she thought. once more as
sailed by forebodings. II had sworn
not to leave him for a second!"
She followed him at a distance
and stopped on hillock between the
Fairies Dolmen and the Calvary of !
the Flowers. From here she could see
the entrance to the tunnel and also
saw her son jogging along the grass. |