Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1886-03-12

Sandorf and Count Zathmar, and in
that character he came here.
=" Mother, asked Pierre, what proof
did the Doctor give that he was my
fathers friend
None, asked Madame Bathory, who
did not care to mention the hundred
thousand forms that she wished to keep
secret from all but herself and the
Doctor.
And suppose he is some informer.
some spy. some Austrian detective?"
You will see that
g Do you advise me to go, then 2"
q" Yes, that is my advice We should
not neglect 4 man who Is DESTROYS of
befriending you for the friendship he
bore your father.
But what has he come to Ragusa fory"
asked Pierre. HAS he any business
in this country ?"
Perhaps he thinks of doing some
thing. He is supposed to be very rich,
and it is possible that he thinks of offer
ing you post worth accepting.
- will go and see him and find out "
"Go to-day then, and at the same
time return the visit that l am unable to
return myself.
Pierre embraced his mother, and it
seemed AS he fingered near her as though
some secret was choking him-some
secret that he dare not tell. What was
there then in his heart so sad and serious
.hat he dare not confide it to his mother
My poor child, murmured Madame
Bathory.
1t was one o'clock in the afternoon
when Pierre entered the Stradone on his
way 10 the harbor of Gravosa. AS he
passed Toronthals house he stopped for
an instant-only for al instant He
looked up at one Of the wings, the win
dows of which opened on to the road.
The blinds were drawn. Had the house
been uninhabited it could not have been
more shut up.
Pierre Bathory continued his walk,
which he had rather slackened, than
stopped. But his movements had not
escaped the notice Of woman who was
Watching Oh the opposite side OF the
Stradone
She was above the usual height.
Her walk Almost mechanical. This
foreigner-her nationality could be easily
seen from her brown frizzled hair and
Moorish compleXion-was wrapped in
dark colored cloak, with its hood thrown
over her headdress ornamented with its
sequins. Was she Bohemian, Gitana,
Gypsy, Egyptian or a Hindooy So
many types did she resemble that it was
difficult to say. Anyhow she was not
asking for charity and did not look AS
though she would accept any. She was
there on her own account, or on the
account Of somebody else, watching not
only what went on at Toronthal's but also
what took place in the Rue Marinella.
As soon as she caught sight of the
young man coming into the Stradone
and walking towards Gravosa, she fol-
lowed so as to keep hum in view but
SO adroitly that he was unaware of her
proceedings. Besides he was too much
occupied to bother himself with what
was taking place behind him. When he
slackened his pace In front OF Toronthals,
the woman slackened hers. When he
started on again she started on, suiting
her pace TO his
Reaching the first gate of Ragusa,
Pierre strobe through 1t swiftly, but not
swiftly enough to distance the stranger.
Once through the gate she found him
hurrying on to Gravosa, and twenty
yards behind she followed down the
avenue.
AT the same moment Silas Toronthal
was returning to Ragusa in a covered
carriage, so that he could not avoid
meeting Pierre.
Seeing them both. the Moor stopped
for moment. Perhaps she thought
they will have something 10 say to each
other. And so with kindling eyes she
slipped behind neighboring tree. But
II the men were to speak how could she
hear what they said?
They did not speak. Toronthal had
seen Pierre twenty yards before he
reached him, and instead of replying
with the naughty salute he had used on
the quay at Gravosa when his daughter
was with him, he turned away his head
as the young man raised his hat and his
carriage drove rapidly on towards
Ragusa.
The stranger lost nothing of this little
scene +; and feeble smile animated her
impossible face.
Pierre, more in sorrow than anger
continued his walk without turning back
TO look after Toronthal.
The Moor followed him from afar.
and might have been heard to mutter in
Arabic
" 1t is time that lie came I"
lTo BE CONTINUED.