Red Caps and Lilies

by Katharine Adams

It was a fortnight since Humphrey had seen Lisle in the bakery shop and had given him the Saint Antoine address. He had not seen him since and he could only comfort himself with the thought that the boy knew where to find him. It was hard for Humphrey, as he knew so little of all that was going on and did not dare to ask questions of any one. Once he had seen the servant Henri coming out of the bakery shop with a package, but he had felt it wiser not to speak with him. Lisle had said that they did not know whether or not they could trust Henri. Humphrey’s heart warmed as he remembered how the lad had confided in him that night outside the bakery shop. It comforted him as he stood there in the storm. He had changed his position so that instead of facing the side of the house, he faced the front. It was not wise as a rule to do this, or so he had felt, because the position was too public and open, even in the darkness, but to-night the blizzardy snow made it safe enough.

Poor Humphrey, how his heart thumped when suddenly voices caught his ear! He had no time to be alarmed for himself or to do more than stand close to the wall when these words reached him: “The door by the basement steps.” Then followed a sentence or two which Humphrey could not understand. Then he heard the words, “The girl!”

Two figures made their way down the side street, away from the house. Humphrey watched them until they were out of sight. Then, looking back at the great mansion, he saw that the entrance door was being opened by some one who seemed to find the process difficult, and the next moment a little girl peered out into the storm. She glanced up and down the street, trying, evidently in vain, to distinguish something besides the swirling snow. Then she went inside, and the heavy door closed behind her.

Humphrey at all times found it difficult to think quickly, but he knew that he must do so this one time. He could only surmise, from the few words which he had overheard, that Lisle had been seen in the cellar, or was to be decoyed there. The incident of the little girl’s coming to the door, as though in search of some one, convinced him that she was looking for Lisle. He thought he had recognized Henri in one of the men who had passed by him, but he was not sure. He wondered why they had gone away from the house, instead of entering it. He was thankful that they had not done so, but the fact was borne in upon him that Lisle had been abducted either by the men whom he had seen or by their accomplices. He felt fairly sure that they would return for Rosanne and, as he walked rapidly around the side of the house, he tried to think what it was best to do.

He found to his relief that the cellar door was open, and he slipped inside and made his way to the staircase, stumbling over the wood that Lisle had dropped. He climbed the stairs cautiously and passed quickly down the long corridors, pausing when he came to the great entrance hall. A door at one side stood open, and he could see a spacious, candle-lit room beyond. It was the salon, and as he entered it he saw the little girl standing by the fireplace. As he started to cross the room, he spoke so as not to startle her too much.

“Tha has nought to fear, little lady. 'Tis Humphrey Trail, and Monsieur Lisle has spoken of tha to me!” he said.

It was wise of Humphrey to speak so to Rosanne, for, instead of fear, she felt relief at once, and ran across the room to meet him, saying eagerly: “Where is Lisle? Yes, he spoke of you last night. He said he trusted you out of all Paris. He went to the cellar for wood quite awhile ago. He said to stay here, and I did for such a long time. Then I went to the hall and called him. He did not come, so I opened the front door and looked out. Where is Lisle, Humphrey Trail?” Rosanne’s voice broke as she put this question to the farmer, and she had to try very hard not to cry.

Humphrey beamed upon her, and there was something so reassuring in his smile that Rosanne smiled, too, through her tears. “Tha’ll be a brave lass for his sake and the sake of those tha hold dear. I’ll give my life to find tha lad, but now tha must come with me as quick as ever tha can. Tha must trust Humphrey Trail. If th’art not a brave girl, I canna help tha!”

While he was speaking Humphrey had gathered up a heavy, velvet drapery which lay across the inlaid mother-of-pearl table near the fireplace, and before Rosanne could think he had wrapped it around her. “The cold is bitter. I’ll hold tha close,” he said.

He lifted Rosanne in his arms and glanced back at the shadowy doorway. She put both her arms around him and looked up at him, her bewildered brown eyes shining bravely.