"L'ECHAPPE"

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 78, 29 September 1934, Page 20

"L'ECHAPPE"

(Original, by Elaine Webb, 14, City.)

PAET 11.

tt/f"~\H) HENRI,1' burst out Adelc, suddenly, "is there no way of escape?" "L Jr "Yes, mademoiselle," said u*pleasant voice behind, them. "If . y OU -^[\i follow me I will lead you' to liberty in beautiful England." The old man and the girl gasped and upon turning their heads beheld a tall, handsome man standing beside an open panel. "You look astonished," said the stranger with a smile. "Perhaps you. did not know that this house possessed a secret panel?" "No, monsieur, indeed we did not or we should have attempted to escapo sooner," Adcle smiled tremulously. "But who are you, aud why do you come to rescue such poor refugees as my servant and I?" "I save all that I possibly can," answered the man gravely. • "My name is Ridges—Sir Peter Bidges. lam English, as you see by my name. I come to Paris to rescue some of the unfortunates who quail beneath^ the frown. of Madame la Revolution." • '■':'■ - "Indeed, it is most generous of you, monsieur, and we thank you with all our hearts. But we must make haste— r tho escort will soon arrive and Henri, my servant, is ailing." "Oh, I will soon, see to Henri," laughed Sir Peter, and bending over the- old servant he rolled the blanket round him. He motioned Adele to step through the opening, then picking up Henri in his strong arms he stepped through himself. She followed her rescuer down a dark, musty-smelling passage, and after what seemed an interminable length of time they came to a small door. When, this door was opened the three fugitives found themselves in a little street. Adele guessed that they were now oil the outskirts of the city. "This is the most dangerous part of the journey," whispered Sir Pciter. "Pull your shawl further down over your face." As he spoke he gently lowered Henri to the ground. Their ho and Adele each took one of the old man's arms and hurried down the street. Soon they came to a large gate guarded by soldiers. Immediately a man told them to halt and held out his hand. Sir Peter evidently understood for he delved into a ragged pocket and produced a dirty scrap of paper signed by a member of the Committee of Public Safety. The man glanced at it carelessly and motioned them on with a jerk, of- his thumb. Adele thought that Sir Peter must be a man of great influence in Paris. When they had walked some distance along the road she ventured n remark upou-the subject. Sir Peter chuckled and said that be had gone to a great deal of trouble to get that scrap of paper. ■; . "It is truly wonderful to breath pure air once more," said Adele, clasping her hands. They paused for a moment. . " I expect you will. find it more wonderful to find yourself, aboard th« ship bound for England," replied Sir Peter, smiling. .. ; "Indeed I shall, m'sieur," answered Adele, "and I thank you again for rescuing Henri and; me." • . , . "Henri looks rather tired," commented Sir Peter a few minutes later. "However," he resumed, "I have a carriage waiting near here and: it -frill convey us to Boulogne.'? "' ■"■■- • ■ They soon found the carriage and started the journey to the seaport. Some hours later they reached Boulogne and Sir Pcterput Adele aud Henri aboard the "Jane Rutland" without delay. "Take this to my wife," he said to Adele as he pressed a letter into her hand. "She will take care of you.. You will find the. address on the outside of the note." . ■ "Thank you very much," whispered Adele, tears of gratitude...in her eyes. The sailing vessel began to move and hurried farewells were made. The last Adele saw of the gallant Sir Peter Eidges was a tiny figure standing on the quay, looking towards the now fastly-moving ship. The next morning the white cliffs of-Dover, hove into view,' and,-Adele, •with the faithful Henri by her side; looked back at the now ,but jfaintlydiscernible shores of France. As she gazed: the. feeling of sadness -in her heart at leaving her.homeland left her and in its place came>a ; feeling of joy and hopo of. happiness in England. -, .' ■;- ■•/,-, ,