San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1924-03-20

who at their masters bidding would
think no more of Sitting his throat
than of slicing the glazed capon OF
the sideboard yonder. His life hat
come suddenly to matter very mucn
He must go very warily.
The dukes voice. sharp with i'm
patience, reused him:
well, BOBBY? Will YOU stand
there all night considering:"
HOLES turned. :.
"All is here, under your grace's
hand. l think" he said quietly.
Then you may take yourself off. y
HOLES bowed submissively. he
dared not look at Nan; but he caught
the sudden gasp of her breath, and
without looking beheld her start, aud
imagined the renewed horror and
wide-eyed scorn in which she regarded
this fresh display of cowardice and
vileness.
He stalked TO the door, the dukes
eyes following him with odd suspi.
cion, puzzled ever by that something
here which he perceived, but WHOSE
significance eluded him. Holding the
edge of the open door in his hand
HOLES half-turned again. He was
still playing for time in which to de-
eide upon his course of action.
"Your grace. take it. will not re-
quire me further tonight"
His grace considered. Beyond the
duke Holes had glimpse of Nan,
leaning against the table. her right
breast as if to control its tumult.
"No," said his grace, slowly. at
last. yet you had best remain at
land with Francois and the other,
ers."
very well,' said HOLES. and
turned to go. The key was. he OBJ
served. on the outside of the door.
He stopped and withdrew it from the
lock. "YOur grace would perhaps
prefer the key on the inside" he said,
with an odious smirk. and. whilst his
grace impatiently shrugged his in
difference, Holes made the trans
ference.
Having made it, he closed the door
swiftly, and he had quietly turned the
key in the lock, withdrawn and peck
eted it before his grace recovered from
his surprise at the eccentricity of his
behavior.
HOLES. his shoulders to the door.
showed face that was now grim and
set. He cast from him again the hat
and cloak which he had been holding.
at is, your grace. that / desire a
word in private with you, safe from
the inconvenient intrusion of your
lackeys."
The Duke drew himself up. very
stiff and stern, not little intrigued
as you conceive by all this; but quite
master of himself.
proceed, SIR he said coldly. "Let
us have the explanation Of this insol-
ence, that so we may make an end OF
it."
"This is soon afforded" HOLES,
too, spoke quietly. This lady, your
grace. is a friend OF mine, an =.
an old friend. ] did not know il
until until / had conveyed her
hither. Upon discovering it. l would
have escorted her hence again, and j
was about TO do so when your grace
arrived. ] have now to ask you to
pledge me your word of honor that you
will do nothing to prevent our peace
full departmental you will offer no
hindrance either in your own person
or in that of your servants
For a long moment. buckingham
stood considering him without moving
from the spot where he stood. mid
way between HOLES and the girl. hi:
shoulder to the latter. Beyond q
heightening of the color about his eyes
and cheekbones he gave no sign Of
emotion. He even smiled, though moi
quite pleasantly.
''But how simple" he said, with q
little laugh. Then his voice hardened
"And should / refuse to pledge my
word. what does Colonel HOLES pro
pose"
at will be very bad for your
grace" said HOLES.
The Dukes whole manner changed
He plucked off his mask of arrogan
languor.
by Gilly." he calculated, and hi
voice was rasping as file. "That il
enough of this insolence. my man
You'll unlock that door at once. AM
go your ways, or III call my men t
] beat you TO n jelly"