COPYRIGHT BY / M
MINTON,BTLCH.t CO. W N.U. SERVICEt
CHAPTER VII—Continued
—9—*
It was twenty minutes later, on
the skirts of Annabel village, that
Barley stood by the Bolls and told
us his tale.
We dared not return to the castle
before ten minutes past one, for
Lass was 12 miles from Yorick. We
had, therefore, ten minutes to
spare—much against our will, for
that Pharaoh was racing for Yorick
we had not a shadow of doubt.
Still, to be uneasy was foolish;
that day I had done the Journey as
Pharaoh was doing it now. If Pha
raoh had the luck of tlie devil, we
might expect to see him at half-past
one.
So, as we had time to spare, Bar
ley stood by the Rolls and told us
his tale.
“A wire come on Monday, sir, a
little later than usual, about ten
o’clock. ‘Return at once,’ it said
and it bore your name. Well, we
left as sharp as we could—for Vil
lacli, of course; but when we gets
out at Vlllach, there ain’t no car to
meet us, let alone no Rolls. ‘That's
queer,’ says Mr. Bohun. ‘I don't un
derstand it,’ he says. ‘If Mr. Spen
cer could wire, he could send a car.
It may be all right, but we’d bet
ter go careful, Barley, from this
time on.' Well, we ’ired a car at
Villach, and stopped four miles
from the farm. Then we enters the
woods ou foot. It was just about
half-past four wdien we sights the
house. Everything looks as usual—
sleepy an’ peaceful, you know, sir,
an’ no one about. But Mr. Bohun’s
uneasy. ‘Mustn’t rush in,’ he says.
‘You stay an’ watch out,’ he savs,
‘while I go round to the back. He
i hadn’t hardly spoken before Rush
^ comes out on the apron, as bold as
brass.
‘‘I give you my word, sir, that
shook us. We made sure they’d
got you all right. But of course we
couldn’t do nothing until it was
dark. Then we crept in and ’ad a
close-up." He drew in iiis hreatk.
‘‘Those two—Rush and Bugle—•
they’re simple, that's what they are.
They’re like a turp on the 'alls.
You could walk right in between
Y them, before they'd*know you were
there. For ’alf an hour that eve
ning we listened to what they said,
and of course we very soon knew
that Pharaoh’d got his foot in the
castle and you was away.
“Well, we had to have quarters
somewhere, so Mr. Bohun comes
here. ‘The last place they'll look,’
he says,‘and the best I know.’ Then
we starts in watchin’ the castle and
visitin’ Plumage at night. And that
was all we could do, for to look for
you was hopeless—we didn’t know
where to begin. But we knew where
Pharaoh was, and we made up our
minds to get him, for once he was
out of the way, all roads were
clear.”
Barley closed his eyes and pushed
back his hat.
“D’you think we could get that
man, sir? We could have had the
others time and again. Bugle, and
Rush, I mean—though we could
have had Dewdrop, too. But Mr.
Bohun says, ‘No, Bugle and Rush,’
he says, ‘is our information bu
reau. So we won’t do them in,’ he
says; ‘if there’s any news goin’
they’ll have it.’ But you wouldn't
believe how we've laid an’ laid for
Pharaoh—and missed him every
time. Look at tonight, sir. Pd been
lyin’ there where I met you since
half-past six. Keepin’ observation,
I was, for Mr. Bohun’s at Salzburg
—I’ve told you that. To bent up
bis quarters, he said, in case you’d
called. Well, 1 thought I had got
him tonight, when the Rolls slowed
down. I was ready to blow his head
off—an’ then ,lt turns out that it’s
you. 1 don't believe in charmed
lives, but if ever a blackguard had
one, Pharaoh’s him.’’
“You wait, Barley,” said I, and
got into the car. “When d’you ex
pect Mr. Bohun?”
“Tomorrow morning, sir. About
geven o’clock.”
“What could be better?” said I.
“Tell him to expect me for break
fast at about a quarter to nine. And
that after that, if he likes, we’ll run
along to Plumage and close the in
formation bureau.”
As I let in the clutch—
“Good-by, Barley,” cried Helena.
| “ Do what you can for his lordship
and ask Mr. Bohun to forgive me
for making free with his room."
But Barley made no answer. I
think he was incapable of speech.
We were back at the castle with
in a quarter of an hour.
As the warden stepped out on
the wicket, Helena spoke.
“Has anyone entered the castle
since I’ve been here?”
k The porter replied:
"No one at ail, my lady.’’
Helena was addressing the warden.
“He’s not been to the station.
Florin. Unless he’s here, he must
have gone somewhere by ear.”
“His lordship's not here, my lady.
And the Adelaide postern was open
which shows that he went that
way.”
I drove the Rolls under the arch
way and into the small courtyard.
As the leaves were closed be
hind us. “Out of sight of the wick
et,” said Helena.
Helena turned to the warden,
who had opened the door by her
side.
“The porter is to put out the
lights, but stay in Ids lodge. He
is to open to no one, until you re
turn. Mark that. To no one at
all. And In five minutes’ time you
and all the night-watchmen will
come to the library.”
“If your ladyship pleases,” said
Florin.
Helena left the car, and I fol
lowed her up the stairs. . . .
As I closed the library door, my
lady took off her hat, pitched it
on to a sofa and moved to the
hearth.
“What are you going to tell
them?”
For a moment she did not an
swer, but stood with her eyes on
the flames. Then—
“That the man that murdered
young Florin is coming to the castle
tonight; that three hours ago he
did his best to kill you, because
he knows you can prove that he
took young Florin’s life; that they
know him as ‘Captain Fanlng,’ but
that I know him as ‘Pharaoh’—a
very dangerous felon, who is want
ed for at least four murders in
England alone.” She turned to set
her hands on my shoulders. “You
must forgive me, darling, for play
ing this hand alone. Rut now you
must stay in the background until
we’re through. They must riot be
gin to believe that I’m acting on your
advice. Tomorrow—this afternoon
you’ll stand on another footing, for
everyone in the castle will know
I’m to be your wife."
I could not answer her, hut I
put my arms around her and kissed
her lips.
And then the light in her face
went out.
The lips I had kissed were mov
ing. but no word came . . . and her
little hands were trembling . . . and
the blood was out of her face.
She was looking over my shoul
der—not so much with horror as
dully, as though the battle were
hopeless and she was tired.
As I let her gonnd swung round—
“Don’t move, Mr. Spencer,” said
Pharaoh. “The triggers they give
these things are absurdly light.”
“This thing” was an automatic
pistol, pointing in ray direction,
about sis paces away.
CHAPTER VIII
I Bear a Message.
I CONFESS that 1 was dumb
founded, and several seconds
went by before I could find my
tongue.
“That’s so much bluff,” said I.
“This isn’t the forester’s cottage. If
you fire on me here—”
"I most frankly admit,” said Pha
raoh, “that the feelings with which
I should kill you w.ould be extreme
ly mixed. To be still more frank,
1 don’t want you to force my hand.
Not that I value your life. In fact,
you’re rather a nuisance. But if I
were to—er—abate you, I should
probably have to withdraw—and
that would suit my book even less.
And so, if you move, I shall fire."
With his words a knock fell upon
the door. . . .
“Ah,” said Pharaoh. “The trusty
warden, no doubt. ‘With his white
hair unbonneted, the stout old
sheriff comes; behind him march
the halberdiers. . . .’ I think you
were going to tell him something.
Lady Helen. Well, do have him
in. But perhaps I ought to remind
you that Mr. Spencer's life will de
pend upon what you say.”
The pistol slid into his pocket;
but though he withdrew his left
hand, his right hand stayed where
it was.
Again the warden knocked, and
Helena raised her voice and cried
to him to come in.
The warden entered the room.
As his eyes lit upon Pharaoh,
he started, ns though In surprise;
then he closed the door behind
him and turned to where Helena
stood.
My lady moistened her lips.
“I’m not at all satisfied, Florin,
with the watch that is being kept.
Here’s Captain Fanlng returned, but
he was never challenged or—"
“I found a postern open,” said
Pharaoh. “To save the porter trou
ble, I entered by that.”
“He should have been seen,”
said Helena, “crossing the bridge.”
The warden looked greatly con
cerned.
“There is something amiss,” said
Helena. “Double the watchmen,
Florin, and stop all leave. Two por
ters are to stay in the lodge and
to keep a list of all persons that
use the bridge. No postern Is to
be opened without permission from
me. Why were the servants abed
when I came in?”
"By his lordship’s orders, my
lady."
“Those orders are canceled—un
til his lordship returns. And now
rouse his lordship's valei and let
him prepare the room in the east
ern tower—the room above mine.
Mr. Spencer will sleep there to
night. And rouse Rachel, as well.
She will make my room ready and
wait till 1 come. One thing more.’’
She drew out her master key. “Here
is my key. Florin. You may as
well keep it for me until I need
it again.”
The warden bowed and took It.
“Will your ladyship speak to
the men?"
“Not tonight. I’ve changed my
mind. But please see that they do
their duty. I’ve a definite feeling
"That’s So Much Bluff," Said I.
of danger—very pressing danger,
florin; so please beware.”
"Best assured, ray lady, nothing
that I can do shall be left undone.”
Helena smiled and nodded and
the warden bowed low, and left the
room. “I congratulate you,” said
Pharaoh, “upon your quickness of
wit. 1 had to give you some rope
and you used It all.”
Helena took her seat in a high
backed chair.
"I rather fancy,” she said, “you’d
have done the same.”
“I don’t know that I should have,”
Pharaoh said, wrinkling his brow.
“I believe in a margin of safety.
»*
Pharaoh fingered his chin.
"Dewdrop,” he said quietly.
One of the curtains swayed and
Dewdrop stepped out.
“Concentrate on that warden,
Dewdrop. You heard what her lady
ship said. If he seems to be get
ting ideas, you must act for the
best. The situation is delicate, Dew
d”op, for what are we among so
many? And now cover Mr. Spencer.
I want to talk.”
Pharaoh was looking at Helena,
smiling an Insolent smile.
“I'm afraid It’s clear,” he
drawled, "that you didn’t expect me
so soon.” He sighed. “That’s been
the misfortune of so many people
I’ve known. Some of them are still
living. You see, a car came by,
and Its owner gave me a lift. You
know, 1 can't help feeling you
ought to have thought of that."
“I agree," said Helena, shortly.
“That was n bad mistake.”
“But the only one,” said Pha
raoh. “Indeed, if I may say so, I’m
much Impressed. Mr. Spencer's
quite a good chauffeur—I’m sure of
that, but only a brain In a thou
sand would have thought of abduct
ing the Count."
Helena stared.
"Are you being humorous?”
"No,” said Pharaoh, quietly. “I’m
simply giving you the answer to a
simple addition sum. As It’s very
short, I'll do it over again. . . .
You left the castle as I was ap
proaching the bridge. In fact, 1
was able to cross it while Hubert
—the faithful Hubert—was closing
the wicket, before lie re-entered the
lodge. That's why he didn't see
tne. But that’s by the way. . . .
Well, I found your departure as
toundlng. I mean, on the face of it,
once you had gained the castle,
to deliberately leave it was the
act of a fool. But you are no
fool, Lady Helena. ... I was still
considering this paradox, when 1
found the postern ajar. I confess
that helped me a lot—in more ways
than one. And the moment I heard
that the Count of Yorick was miss
ing, the sum came out." He un
crossed his legs and leaned for
ward. “Let me put some cards
on the table. I want you to see
that, If for no other reason, be
cause you have scruples you are
weighed clean out of this race. You
see, I am not so embarrassed—I
never am. Now take tonight. Placed
as you were, once I was back In the
castle, nothing this side of hell
would have got me out. Yet the
Count would have disappeared. Now
there’s a little problem—which I
will resolve. I assume he was
drunk—forgive me. but he usually
Is by ten. Well, they say blood's
thicker than water, but I never
found It so. I should have dropped
him gently Into the meat. . . . Per
haps you think Pm bluffing. Let me
tell you what happened tonight. I
wanted a car—badly, and I took
the first that came by. Well, that
was against the law. By taking
that car I offended the law and or
der—two Inconvenient gods. They
therefore had to be sidetracked.
. . . What is left of that car is ly
ing on Its side In a gully, It's still
burning—with the man It belonged
to Inside.”
This recital was dreadful enough,
hut Pharaoh lent It a horror that
made my blood run cold.
lie glanced at his watch. "Dear,
dear, a quarter to two. It's far too
late to discuss my mission tonight.
If you’ll promise me one or two
things—well, I daresay your room
Is ready—’’ he raised Ills eyes to the
ceiling “—and the room above
yours."
“You Insolent swine!” I roared.
"If you think—"
The sentence ended In a manner
which I should like to forget. I
yelped with pain, leaped from my
seat on the table and swung about,
smarting and furious, to face Dew
drop's leveled pistol some three feet
away.
The Jew had pricked m.v buttock
with the blade of his knife.
I hesitated, trembling with rage
and desperately weighing the
chances of nn immediate attack.
Fire upon me they dared not.
Helena's arm was about my shoul
ders, and her cool, slim hand on my
wrist.
“Not that way, m.v darling. I beg
you. Let me play the hand.”
“I entirely agree," said Pharaoh.
“All right,” 1 said thickly. “You
play It. I’ll manage to bide my
time."
The clasp on my shoulders tight
ened, but that was all.
“What terms," said Helena, quiet
ly, "do you suggest?"
"Your word that you will do
nothing before midday. That at that
hour you two will be here, to take
up the same positions you now lay
down. That you will give no 'or
ders and make no sort of statement
which might correct the impression
that 1 am your guest. In a word,
I desire your parole—the parole of
you both.”
“I give It," said Helena, quietly.
“And Mr. Spencer?” said Pha
raoh.
“I pledge his word," said Helena.
“That’s good enough," said Pha
raoh. “Allow me to wish you good
night." He bowed and turned to the
door. “Come, Dewdrop," he said.
• •***••
Half an hour had gone by, and
I was sitting, brooding, on the side
of my bed. I was clad in the
Count’s pajamas and was wear
ing his dressing-gown. I had
cleansed myself In the bathroom
and staunched my wound. This, of
course, was nothing, but because it
was deep, it had hied a deal more
freely than I had supposed. It cer
tainly ached a little, but I was
more hungry than hurt.
I needed food very badly—to help
me, body and soul. Sleep was out
of the question. Besides, I did not
feel tired. . . .
I wondered how Helena was far
ing. I had handed her over to Ra
chel, herself again; but we had ar
ranged no meeting and she had not
so much as spoken, except to bid
me good night and advise me to bar
my door.
I began to see the secret of Pha
raoh’s success. Once it was known
that to call his bluff was fatal, the
man could win game after game
with the acme of ease.
Some one was knocking—tap
ping, but not on the door.
As I stnrted up, the sound
ceased.
It had come from the direction
of the bathroom. Perhaps, If 1
waited—
The tapping began again.
For a moment I stood still, listen
ing. Ami then I was proving the
paneling close to the bathroom door.
The sound came from behind the
woodwork.
In vain I sought for some handle,
while little bursts of tapping de
manded nn answer Hint I was not
ready to give.
Suddenly I thought of the bath
room.
(TO UK CONTINUED)
France’* North American Claim*
The only territorial possessions
of France in North America are St.
Pierre and Miquelon, two small
rocky Islands about ten miles off
the southern coast of Newfound
land. These islands which are
surrounded by a number of islets,
are the sole remnant of the colonial
empire France once had In Can
ada. Their aggregate area is less
than a hundred square miles and
they are inhabited by only a few
thousand sturdy flsherfolk of Bre
ton and Norman stock. The prox
imity of tiie islands to the Great
Banks makes them an Important
center for French cod fisheries ip
the North Atlantic.
I >411 >4round
/Ac House
Twine will tie bundles much tight
er and will not slip when knots are
made If It Is dampened before using.
* » »
Iodine stains may be removed from
«hlte cotton or linen If stains are
soaked In a solution of ammonia and
water, a teaspoon of ammonia to n
pint of water.
• * •
If fruit cake becomes very hard It
can be wrapped In a cloth saturated
with orange or spiced pencil Juice
and stored in an air tight box.
• • •
Place a hot water bottle In the
clothes basket when hanging out and
taking In clothes In cold weather. It
will keep the hands warm.
• • •
Never set cut flowers In a draft.
If you do you will And they will soon
wilt
• * *
When maple Sirup becomes cloudy
set It over the tire until It bolls, then
take It off the fire and let cool.
* * *
If woolen stockings shrink while
washing, put them through the wa
ter again and while still wet put
them on a stocking stretcher.
• * *
Always use canned pineapple in
gelatin mixtures. If fresh pineapple
is used the mixture will not eongenl.
• * *
A few bright colored flower pots,
whi a narcissus bulb planted In
each, set on the window sill In the
living room will, when the bulbs
Beveled Chopping Block
According to a Wisconsin wood
worker, kindling may he cut on a
beveled block without danger of an
Injury from flying pieces of slivers,
says Popular Mechanics Magazine
An Ideal block for this purpose Is a
short piece sawed from the end of
a large log with one side beveled,
leaving a projection on which to rest
one end of the work.
blossom, give color and docorntlon to
the room.
* • •
If cake Is very hard It can be
made Into a delicious pudding by
stenmlng ;?0 minutes In double boiler,
and serving hot with any desired
sauce—hard, creamy, foamy or fruit.
• • •
Don’t beat fudge ns soon as It Is
taken from the lire. You will find It
will be much creamier If tirst put
Into r cold bowl, and then beaten.
© Associated Newspapers.—WNTJ Service.
Opportunity May Knock, but
More Likely She’ll Pass By
It Is it dangerous thing to wait for
opportunities until It becomes a
habit. Energy and Inclination for
hard work ooze out in the waiting.
Opportunity becomes Invisible to
those who are doing nothing, or look
ing somewhere else for It.
It Is the great worker, the man
who Is alert for chances, that sees
them.—O. S. Marden.
Here’s Very Fast Way
to “Alkalize”
Acid-Indigestion Away
Amazingly Fast Relief Now
from “Acid Indigestion* Over
Indulgence, Nausea,
and Upsets
IF you want really quick relief
from an upset or painful
stomach condition—arising from
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smoking, mixtures of foods or
stimulants — just try this:
Take—2 teaspoonfuls of Phil
lips’ Milk of Magnesia in a
full glass of water. OR — 2
Phillips’ Milk of Magnesia
Tablets, the exact equivalent
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This acts almost immediately to
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Try it. AND — if you are a
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You'll forget you have a stomach!
When you buy, see that any
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ly marked “Genuine Phillips’
Milk of Magnesia."
SIGNS WHICH OFTEN
INDICATE “ACID STOMACH”
PAIN AFTER EATING SLEEPLESSNESS
FEELING OF WEAKNESS INDIGESTION
NAUSEA MOUTH ACIOITT
LOSS OF APPETITE SOUR STOMACH
FREQUENT HEAOACHES
^ SB jfftt Hi ^ J®. MB p jft ^ |r ^ jHB t
I
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