Montgomery County sentinel., 1935-05-02
CHAPTER X-Continued

fHO OlhcIS iulO Tue kllcI0u, anu Der
enice related the strange contradic-
tions Of the academy life since VIII
tons going-her guardians frequent
changes of mood-of impulses. his bit
terness his incalculable actions. Like
distraught creature. l was sad and
Ill myself. These last days could
not even write to you"
My dear-this must end-you must
soon be freel"
'But howT
"We1l plan something. Well ham,
mer 1t out some way. But we must
act together-we four. Janet Arthur !
Have you any plans that may help
Berenice and me?"
Janet answered from her shadowy
corner. "We1l have to leave, whether
we want to or not. He told me this
afternoon he was sending Arthur away
soon. He might keep me little while
because of Berenice-but not long,"
II cannot be left here" Berenice
said tragically. what would I do?
know my father would not want me to
stay on In this strange, unhappy place
If he could knowI"
"Of course he would not, Berenice,"
Payne exclaimed. "You can follow
the paths of destiny too long and too
abjectly. The sure road must open to
you If you demand 1t. We four must
go together. It's the inevitable thing !"
''But how am / to cut this chain?
He's always watching mel"
"Why not come away tonight? After
your guardian has gone his usual
rounds, you and Janet and Mrs. Den
yer could come downstairs, and Ar
thur and I win join you. How about
1t, Arthur"
I'm agreed. It's now or never I
Once you're out Of the place it won't
be too easy to get you back. Pack
your trunks and lock them; then put
in handbags what you'll need for a
day or two. In the morning Wilton
and will come down here, say that
you are at Jerry's and demand the
trunks. I don't think your guardian
will refuse to give them up"
Berenice put her hand on Wilton's
arm. Somehow / think we'd better
face 1t out here; l hate that kind of
leaving, not for his sake, but for all
the memories. The place is sad
tragic-but Wilton, feel that must
leave it in triumph-openly."
Perhaps we can"
Really she shouldn't go tonight" {"
Janet interposed. 1--WE can manage
for a day or two. / can demand no
tice. He certainly wouldn't put us
out In the snow"
They heard the heavy closing Of q
door upstairs. "Quick. Wilton" Flem-
Ing said. He extinguished the light in
the kitchen. and they all went softly
down the passage; but when they
reached the basement door they found
It locked and the key gone. They
could hear Haskell talking to Mrs.
Denver, and then his footsteps starting
down the basement stairs.
"There's one room safe" Payne whis-
pered to the panic-stricken three.
"Your key, Berenice."
He had 1t In an instant and was
opening the door. Berenice uttered a
little cry. They're gone-but they're
gonel"
'Never mind; sit there in their places
quick"
He closed the door. "We can unlock
It from this SIDE"
They groped their way to the desks,
and, scarcely realizing from what in
stinct of self-preservation, they seat
ed themselves, and Janet and Ber-
enice bent their heads over the desks,
as did Wilton and Arthur.
HE probably will go straight down
the corridor. No need to look in here
tonight" They could see faint radi-
ance In the hall which slowly moved
toward them. as apparently he looked
In one room after another.
Bladder. l ay-Balder-wher0 the
devil is that fellow hidlngi Balder. l
say. Come on out. nowI You'll play
this trick on me once too often-you
great hulking coward. Balder, 1 say,
/ want your newsl You were to bring
me news, and you've never come
with It."
In this strain he went on. Ber-
enlce whispered, II suppose Balder is
hiding, as usual. He hides when he
wants to be particularly trying and
dlsagreeable-then he will come out
from some room yawning and say he
was asleep"
81 hope Haskell win give up the
search soon," Arthur remarked dryly.
II am inclined to think it a waste OF
time"
"Do you know where the figures
are. Arthur"
"Yes, Berenlce-he burned them"
He heard her sigh In the darkness
"You are not sorry, my dearT Wilton
whispered.
arthur, think he's coming baclt. -
"Balderl You'll pay for thIs"-thky