The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1924-03-06

jewels in the lace at his throat and a
baldric of garter blue across his
breast.
A moment he stood there at gaze,
with narrowing eyes, puzzled by
something odd in their attitudes, and
looking from Miss Farquharson's pale,
startled loneliness to the stiff, grim
figure of her companion. Then he
came slowly forward. leaving the
door wide behind him. He bowed
low to the lady without speaking; as
he came erect again, il was to the
Colonel thai he addressed himself.
IAN should be here. l think" he
said. waving a hand toward the table
and sideboaTd.
Holes half turned to follow the ges-
ture, and he stood a moment as if
pOndering the supper equipment. glad
of that moment in which to weigh the
situation. Out there, in the hall,
somewhere just beyond that open
door. would be waiting. he knew.
Buckingham four French lackeys,
who, at their masters bidding, would
think no more Of Sitting his throat
than of shcing the glazed capon on
the sideboard yonder. His life had
come suddenly to matter very much.
He must go very warily.
The Dukes voice, sharp with impa-
thence, reused him:
We'll, BOBBY? VIII you stand there
all night considering?"
Holes turned.
''An is here, under your grace's
hand, think" he said quietly.
Then you may take yourself off"
HOLES bowed submissively. He
dared not look at Nan; but he caught
the sudden gasp Of her breath, and
without looking beheld her start, and
imagined the renewed horror and
wide-eyed scorn in which she re-
garded this fresh display of coward
ice and vileness.
He stalked to the door, the Dukes
eyes following him with odd suspicion,
puzzled ever by that something here
which he perceived. but whose signifi-
canoe eluded him. Holding the edge
of the open door in his hand. HOLES
half-turned again. He was still play
ing for time in which to decide upon
his course of action.
Your grace, I take it, will not re-
quire me further tonight?'
His grace considered. Beyond the
Duke Holes had glimpse of Nan,
standing wide-eyed, livid as death,
hand pressed upon her heaving breast
as if to control its tumult.
No" said his grace slowly, at
last. Yet you had best remain at
hand with Francois and the others"
Very well.' said Holes, and turned
to go. The key was. he observed, 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 impatient.
ly shrugged his indifference, HOLES
made the transference.
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 a face that was now grim and
set. He cast from him again the hat
and cloak which he had been holding
1T is, your grace that l 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 a 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 in
science. that so we may make an end
of it,"
That is soon afforded" Holes, too
spoke quietly. This lady, your grace,
is a friend of mine, an an old
friend. I did not know it until
until had conveyed her hither. Upon
discovering it. I would have escorted
her hence again, and was about to do
so when your grace arrived. I have
now to ask you to pledge me your
word of honor that you will do moth
ing to prevent our peaceful departure
that 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. midway
between Holes and the girl, his Shout
der to the latter. Beyond a heighten-
ing of the color about his eyes and
otookfaueS he gave M SIGN ~ ev.,a.