[Cutlass and Cudgel by George Manville Fenn]@TWC D-Link bookCutlass and Cudgel CHAPTER EIGHT 2/7
Then a giddy feeling of dread came over her, and she stood staring blankly at the frank-looking boy before her. "I know the great vault is full of smuggled things," she said to herself, "and that they will think my father put them there.
What shall I do ?" "Poor little lassie!" said Archy to himself, as he smiled complacently; "she has never seen an officer in uniform before, and I frightened her with my drawn sword." At that moment, Gurr came up with the men, and Celia seemed as if turned to stone. "This young lady lives at the house, Mr Gurr," said Archy aloud, "and she will show us the way." Poor Celia felt as if she could neither move nor speak.
It seemed horrible to her that she should have the task of guiding the king's men, perhaps to arrest her father.
But just then she was brought to herself by the behaviour of the dog, who, on seeing his mistress talking in a friendly way to the stranger who had chased him, had condescended to be quiet, but now that a fresh party of the enemy was approaching, set up his bristles, and began to bark and growl furiously. "Down, Grip! Quiet!" she cried, and feeling bound to act, she went on, with the midshipman keeping close up, and putting in an apologetic word about giving her so much trouble. Celia could hardly keep down a hysterical cry, as she caught sight of her father and mother, the latter with her hand upon the former's arm. They had been taking their customary walk in the neglected garden, and Sir Risdon was about to lead his pale, careworn lady up the steps, when the snarling and subdued barking of Grip made him turn his head, and he stopped short with his lips almost white. "What is it ?" whispered Lady Graeme, as she saw the uniforms and weapons of the men. "The end!" said the unhappy man, as he looked wildly at his wife.
"The result of my weakness.
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