The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1936-03-27
CHAPTER TX
The Fragrant Valley


travelling fast. My wrists and my
ankles were bound and my mouth was
gagged. Barley was seated above me,
watching my face.
AS I tried to sit up, he pushed me
back on the pillows which made my
bed.
Lie quiet Bit SIR" he said, "and
you'll soon be as right as rain"
To this day 1 do not know why l
| did not go out of my mind.
They say that 1 fought like mad
man, but that was because 1 was mad.
Barley had to throw himself on me, to
keep me down. And then at last l
| tainted
/ do not think Barley knew 1t, for
my senses had hardly left me before
they returned; but think that discre.
| ton came with them, for then l saw
that to struggle and fight was hopeless.
And so, to feign resignation, lay quite
still where l was and shut my eyes.
And that was my undoing, for after a
moment or two fell asleep.
Though the car fled on, knew moth
ing, and I never knew when 1T stopped.
was lifted out, still sleeping, and
though my bonds were loosened, /
| never stirred.
And while slept, Lady Helena Yor-
lex was playing her part.
The song of brook woke me, and
propped myself on an elbow to gather
my wits.
The next instant was afoot and was
staring wildly about me. F.. +. The wood
ed peak of mountain looked placidly
back-and a pride of beeches was
smiling and chapter of gray green
rocks was casting its stately shadow
upon the most vivid of swards.
1t was half-past four. had slept
for more than nine hours.
The dial of my watch grew misty.
felt the tears beginning to leave my
eyes. One of them fell upon the dial.
So l stood for moment.
Then flung myself down and buried
my face in the grass.
"Come, come, old fellow" said Geof-
frey, you mustn't take it so ILL.,"
made no answer. dared not trust
my voice. ...s
You'd have done the same" said
my cousin. John, / couldn't ignore
such a hint"
sat up and dashed the tears from
my face.
Hint? What hintT"
Godfrey raised his eyebrows.
Il don't know what she read yoG,"
he said. But 1 don't think she read
you that"
AS he spoke, he gave me paper
Helena's note.
Mr.. Bohun:
Keep John with you. Use any vio-'
lence you like. He must not return to
the castle and no one on earth must
know that he is with you. Don't fail
me.
Helena Yorick.
NO" said, ''you're quite right. She
didn't read that" laughed shortly.
you'd have seen through.it, of course;
nine out of ten people would. But you
must remember that I'm no ordinary
fool. Besides, trusted her blindly-
trusted and loved her bllndly. So you
see it was awfully easy to have me
on" 1 laughed again. "It's rather like
fooling dog or baby child. A dog,
/ think. Your dog. You've decided to
have him destroyed so you take him
out for walk and stop at the vets.
He doesn't know. He doesn't care
where you go, so long as he can go
with you-be with his god. He loves
you blindly, you see. He's not the
faintest idea that you're going to do
him in. You can speak to the vet. In
his presence want this dog de-
stroyed.' You're perfectly safe. He'll
lick your hand while you're speaking,
if only you'll give him the chance.
K. But-if-that-dog
opened. If when you were gone
and he was standing. waiting, with
his eager nose to the threshold, strain
ing his ears for some signal of your
return-if then by some magic that
dog was made aware of the truth. ~
ITO BE CONTINUEDl