apartments, ile looked worried.
“ I ’ve seen Albertus,” he said, “ and
I’ m afraid that the matter is more se
rious than I had supposed. The old
villain has got something up his sleeve.
What it is i don’ t know, but he evident
ly believes it to be a winner. I f he
didn’t, Stuart, my boy, I could fix this
whole matter for you. This in confi
• • • By • • •
dence to you: I ’ ve got a very strong
HOWARD FIELDING
hold on old Albertus Warren, and 1
wouldn’ t scruple to use it In a case of
this kind. I f he were merely holding
Copyright, 1003, by Charles W. Hooke
out obstinately ugninst you. with no
definite plan in view. I could swing
N the old days when a father did him. But he’s trying to accomplish
uot wish his dnughte# to marry something. I ’ m sure of it. though I
the man o f her choice he locked don’t see what it can be unless he In
her up in the turret chamber of tends to make her marry somwbody else.
the castle and kept her on a diet of She is the sort o f girl to mind her fa
bread and water until she was too ther."
“ It is her only fault,” replied H ol
weak to oppose paternal command. Tlir
“ But, see here, Jack.
method is unusual now in this part of lingsworth.
the world, and therefore the luck of There’s one thing obvious—she Is being
Stuart Hollingsworth may be called ex tricked. Nobody can convince me that
she doesn’t suppose that she has sent
ceptionally hard.
Hollingsworth was engaged to Ruth word to me. She has trusted her letter
Warren without her father’s consent. to some rapeally servant” —
“ Is there anybody In the household
Hollingsworth had a great reputation
whom
you know particularly well?”
as a w it and had said one or two very
asked
the
lawyer. And Hollingsworth
clever but not unkindly things about
replied
that
he had occasionally hold
Albertus Warren.
Otherwise Hollingsworth was unex amicable conversations with the house
ceptionable. lie was not so rich as keeper, who seemed to be friendly dls
Warren, but he was in a good way of posed toward him.
“ But,” he added, '“ I ’ ve written to her
business and striding on toward great
already
and have got no reply.”
success. A brisk, bright, cheery fellow
“
W
rite
again.” said his friend, “ and
he was despite the melancholy cast of
Ills countenance and the sad, sweet I’ ll try to deliver the note and get an
voice which lent Itself so well to the answer. Ask her i f she can suggest
any way by which you can get Into the
purposes o f his unfailing jests.
house without Mr. Warren knowing
Warren was different from everybody
It. That's the point. You must have
else In the world, but most particularly
an interview with Miss Ruth if it’ s in
from his daughter, who possessed a
any wny possible. This case is desper
very amiable disposition. She was
ate. It w ill come to a runaway mar
plump and pretty, exceptionally cheer
riage before you get through with it.
ful in a gentle w ay and quite destitute
and if you take my advice you'll ar
o f any trait that could be called an ec
range for one at the earliest possible
centricity. It could be seen with half
moment provided that you get a
an eye that she was saturated with
chance to talk to the young lady.”
love for Hollingsworth in the w ay of a
Hollingsworth wrote the note, and
piece of cake dipped in wine.
Breck hurried nwny with It. He did
Her father had done his best to make
not return in the course o f the evening,
an old maid o f her. She was already
but several other fellows drop|>od in
twenty-four. Many a suitor had been
The rumor that the course of true lov*
frightened away from the great, square
was not running smooth seemed to
house, with its antique iron fence and
have circulated widely, and Hollings
its strips of dusty lawn. But nobody
worth received the sort o f sympathy
could frighten Hollingsworth. He was
which one ordinarily gets In such case.
not a tall man, and he was slenderly
He telephoned to Brock’s office half
built, but he was armed always with
n dozen times next day. but could not
the mighty weapon of invincible good
find the lawyer In. About noon, how
humor.
Not even Albertus Warren
ever. he appeared nt Hollingsworth’s
could quarrel with him, and perhaps
rooms.
that is why the old sinner resorted to
“ I ’ ve struck a desperate situation.”
desperate measures.
he
said. “ I ’ ve given tlie housekeeper
Whatever the explanation may be,
this Is the situation: Hollingsworth your note. She’s a great creature and
knew that the young lady was in her willing to act in your Interest as far
father’s house. He had faith to believe as she dares, but by the devil's own
that she still loved him, but he could luck she’s out of favor with Miss Ruth.
neither see her nor get one word from The girl doesn’ t trust her; won't give
her. The truth dawned upon him slow-1 her any message or say a word to her
ly. He was Informed at the house two on the subject. So there you are. The
or three times that Miss Warren was housekeeper doesn’ t know what’s up.
not at home. He expected a note from but she knows that It’ s something se
her by mall, and It did not come. A I rious and that old Albertus Warren re
very earnest communication from him gards the game as already won.”
Hollingsworth’s Jaw dropped.
He
self brought no response from her.
stared
nt
Breck
blankly.
Then he called at Mr. Warren’s office
“ What In blazes um I going to d o ? ’
and was denied.
At the end o f a week Hollingsworth he demanded.
‘T v e been all over this subject.” said
had a confidential talk with his friend.
John Breck. who was a lawyer. Breck the lawyer, “ from a legal and every
treated the subject with levity.
He otner aspect, and there’s only one pos
had recently been the victim o f a very sible course o f action. You must have
good Joke which Hollingsworth had a personal interview with Miss W ar
"put up.” and he expressed a mean ren; you must see her without her fa
spirited gratification that fate should ther's knowledge, and you must do it
have avenged him. Coming to a more right away. Therefore It Is absolutely
essential that you get Into thnt house.”
serious view at last, he said:
“ But I can’t break In!” exclaimed
"There are various things that you
can do. The young lady is o f age. She Hollingsworth. " I can’t do nnytliing
public and make a guy o f the woman
can claim her liberty.”
"T h a t’s the way f look at it,” re I love. ’E xtra! Extra!* Holy Moses, I
can seem to bear It!”
sponded Hollingsworth.
“ Ruth Warren is to be spirited nwny.”
Breck shook his head.
said
Breck. "T h e housekeeper doesn’ t
"T h e old man w ill get tired o f it,” he
know
where nor how. But If It hap
said. “ He won’t Imprison her long.”
T w o or three days elapsed without pens It w ill be fatal. The poor girl
bringing any new developments, and w ill suppose thnt you know where she's
then Breck called at Hollingsworth's gone; she fancies that she’s writing to
A Fiance by
Express
I
you every any. ir vou don't follow ner
—and you couldn’t because you would
not know where she's gone.”
Hollingsworth struck his dripping
forehead.
“ I ’ ve got to get into that house,” he
said, “ even If I crawl in through the
gas pipe.”
“ Precisely.” sn’ d Breck. “ and for that
reason I’ ve put up a Job. It’s queer,
but the thing’s been done dozens of
times in New York—In fact. I ’ ve man
aged It myself for one of my clients
when there w ts a question o f serving
some papers. And you remember the
case of Mrs. Wilmington, who kid
naped her own daughter.”
"Took her »¡wny in a trunk, didn't
she?” said Ilo ’ llngsworth. “ But there’s
no trunk In the world that w ill hold
me. You migiit bring my legs along in n
dress suit case, but” —
“ This Is serious,” interrupted Breck.
“ I’ve already arranged for the trunk.
It w ill be lure in a few minutes. It’s
the same on-» that I used In the case I
mentioned Just now, and my clerk lived
in it for five hours without much incon
venience. By good luck, as I ’ ve learned
from the housekeeper, thnt trunk Is an
exact matt for one thnt Miss Warren
has in storage. It won’t seem unusunl
If we havt, it delivered nt the Warren
house today. Come, Stuart. H ave you
got the sa*id?”
“ Have I ?’’ cried Hollingsworth. “ Watch
me. This is really the very best thing
thnt we could do. It w ill settle the whole
matter. And I ’ ll remember you, Breck.
You shall have $1,000 if I live through
this and fo.000 If I don't. My grati
tude w ill be the same in either case,
but if I'm dead I can afford to be
more liberal. Fix up my will. What’s
that?”
A sound of shuflllng feet came from
the hall, followed by n quick ring of
the bell. Breck opened the door, and
four men entered with the trunk. It
was a monstrous affair and had a l
ready teen stripped of its trays and
provided with ventilating holes, suffi
cient nr d not too obvious.
“ I can live in It for a week.” said
Hollingsworth, “ if they set it on the
right e id .”
The tw o men pndded the Inside with
hlnnkots and made experiments in the
mattei o f the most comfortable position
and the limits o f movement when the
lid bed been closed upon the occupnnt.
Then they went out and had luncheon,
for t i e trunk was not to be delivered nt
the Warren residence before 5 in the
afternoon.
Hollingsworth suggested
that it would be awkward If the real
one should get there first, but Breck
replied that he had sent a bogus mes-
sngfc to the warehouse countermanding
the order.
Promptly nt 5 o’clock the expressmen
whom Breck had engaged arrived at
Hollingsworth’s rooms.
They were
well bribed and carefully Instructed.
Hollingsworth got Into the trunk, and
Breck closed, locked and strapped It.
“ Now. for heaven's sake,” he said In
a low tone to the men. "don’t drop him
on the stnlrs.”
“ What's the mntter with the elevat
or?” came In anxious but muffied tone«
from the Interior of the trunk.
" I t ’s all right In this building.” re
sponded Breck. “ but in the Warren
house there are two flights, and they
are pretty bad. the housekeeper snys
O f course you’ ll go up the back stairs.”
The descent to the street was easy, but
the ride to the Wnrren house was long
The longer the ride the longer Hollings
worth's legs seemed to be. nnd before II
wns finished he would have paid any rea
sonable sum for the privilege of straight
ening them out.
"This Is a singular paradox.” he said tc
himself. "M y legs are getUng longer ev
ery minute and still I widit to stretch
’em.”
One of the expressmen, who was sitting
beside the trunk. Informed him of his ar
rival at his destination and then climbed
out of the wagon. There was a long waft.
Then Hollingsworth felt a swaying of the
vehicle, and Immediately a voice spoke
cautlouslv.
•••mere's a hitch somewhere.” It said.
"Don't speak loud. Old Warren la stand
ing by the gate."
“ What's the trouble?’
"H e says It’s the wrong trunk. He
swears that this one Is full o f furs.
They're hunting for the key. but the
housekeeper's all right. Don’t you worry.
Whatever happens, you’re safe. The old
man won’ t get you. Hush!”
Another long wait, and then the vo
again:
“ W e’ll have to take you back. You
been positively Identified. You’re a lot
sealskin and stuff that belonged to N a.
Warren when she was alive. 8-s-s-sh!"
Presently the wagon swayed violently
and then started. Hollingsworth felt the
expressman settling himself down beside
the trunk. Then came a very soft, hardly
audible whisper:
"Don't speak. Don’ t make any noise.
W e’ll get you out of this yet.”
The wagon Jolted along. It seemed to
travel a thousand miles, and there were a
thousand new pains for every mile. F i
nally the wagon stopped. Tho trunk was
lifted out. Hollingsworth heard a cob-
fused murmur of voices. Then he felt the
motion of an elevator. There followed a
great bumping and dragging, followed by
a stillness nnd a peculiar chill, gradually
but surely Increasing. It seemed as If
drafts of Icy air were blowing through the
holes In the trank. Hollingsworth stood
It as long ns he could, and then In a sud
den paroxysm he pounded and kicked up
on the roof of his prison and yelled like
a wounded elephant. It was a marvolous
relief. While he was enjoying It he heard
a clanking sound, and then a strange,
loud, seared voice cried:
"W h o's here?”
" I am. hang It!” yelled Hollingsworth.
"H ow could I be anywhere else? Holy
Moses, do you think I can crawl out
through one of these holes?"
"Cirsnr's ghost!" exclaimed the voice.
“ How did you come to be In htre?”
"W here am I?"
"This Is the Columbia warehouse.
You're In the cold storage room. W e al
ways keep our furs"—
“ Blast your furs! *Who are you ?’
“ I’ m tho watchman.
Everybody else
has gone home.”
"W ell.” said Hollingsworth In a voice of
smoldering rage, “ I went to go home too.
Open this trunk.”
" I ain’t got no key,” snld the mnn. "not
no tools. This Is a mighty strong trunk.
How’d you get Into It?"
"N ever mind that. Kick the lid off It.”
"Bless your soul," said the watchman,
“ I can't do that. It's bound with Iron.
But when the day watchman comes tn
the morning” —
He was Immediately Interrupted by a vi
olent straining nnd groaning Inside the
trunk.
“ I say,” he continued, ” !t’a pretty thun
derin’ cold In here. I can drag you Into a
warmer room. There's one where I can
light a lot of gas, and I guess you'll be
comfortable.”
Without waiting for a reply the tnen
seized the trank and dragged It along the
floor with Incredible speed. Holllngswor' h
seemed to feel a change In the temper »-
ture, nnd ho saw lights through the hole*
In the trunk.
“ I'll lift JTOU up on to this shelf.” snld the
mnn. " I t ’ ll bo wnrmer there than on the
floor.”
Hollingsworth felt tho trank lifted nnd
set upon some sort of support. Ho had
Just sense enough left to wonder at the
strength of the man who lifted It. flureiy
such an Individual could And some means
of releasing hltn. While this thought wns
In his mind there was a scratching sound,
nnd then suddenly the lid o f the trunk
flew back. Hollingsworth, staring upwnrl,
beheld a dnzzllngly brilliant and very or
nate chandelier. A babel of voices brolc«
out around him.
" I ’m crazy,” he thought. "W ell. It's no
wonder.”
And with thnt he painfully scrambled to
his feet. He was standing In the middle
of a bountifully laden banquet table sur
rounded by at least forty men In evening
dress, and directly In front of him stood
John Breck.
"Gentlemen,” snld the lawyer, pouncing
on the table, “ I take great pleasure In In
troducing Mr. fltuart Hollingsworth. You
will remember him well because there It
not one of you upon whom he has not per
petrated some sort of Joke In his day.
Mr. Hollingsworth recently consulted me
In an affair of the heart, and I wns nhle
to assist him materially. You will nil he
pleased to hear that the stern parent hni
yielded and that our friend’ s marriage
will shortly be celebrated. Having served
him In this way, I could not resist the
temptation to square accounts with him
by means of this merry Jest from which
you have Just seen him escape with hi.«
life. As this Is h e bachelor dinner he wl!l
doubtless oblige Cne company with” —
"Speech, speech!” yelled all the men nt
once, pounding in tho table with their
flats.
Hollingsworth glanced around the circle.
Then he slowly subsided Into the triu 1«
and closed the lid.