Omaha daily bee., 1896-10-25

was the lady had seen on the piazza, again
at the play In London with n lady Of the
blood royal-the phlegmatic blood royal OF
the HanovoriBn brood; and here she was In
my house. where she had been followed
by a strange. foreign person, who had de-
clnred her mad. And | had harbored her.
IT'S curious how your common sense can
leave you under certain provocaton | was
as foolish, think. as the night before.
81 have written to the Italian consul
said she, 81 hope | may be able to re-
quite your hospitality-your aid. monsieur
ana somc day | may be able to explain"
Now curiosity is against manners, and
there was something OF the great lady"
"of being" as the phrase Is, ITO the manor
born" taking away my boorishness.
II am glad, am sure, If may have been
OF any possible service"
She was my vs-a-vjs. The situation vas
singularly delightful-oyer coffee and rolls.
Now and then she blushed prettily, although
we sail little.
Isl" >'''
"Ah, YOU don't know it,"
IL was travelling in your country, mon
sieur. when | fell into plot that had been
laid for me"
81 am sure | shall hold myself most
lucky II | may help you to thwart it," l
said.
IL owe you much. monsieur"
Nothing would have done so
much"
But | count myself fortunate" said she.
And |. too. to have had the privilege"
Now she accepted this style OF talk as
natural, and l wondered at it-as II she
fancied herself a princess, or really were
one. ! remembered the box at Mr.. Wynd-
hams Garrick. Was 1t she, indeed? But
as | say. hesitated to ask, and yet, when
| was outside, l wondered at myself She
declared that the Italian consul would ar
IN there | ghOnl1
my explanation. | hal the letter. addressed
In pretty foreign hand. The avenue APP
peared garishly ordinary; l was in the eX
traordinary, and l sighed to think 1t doubt
less all would end in commonplace explana-
lion.
The Italian consul had not reached his
office. turned back to my bankers. AS
| was passing out / met Obadiah Fogg, who
took me by the coat.
II havo been looking for you, Gerald. It's
lucky have found you"
never have employed Fogg G. FoEg, and
wondered at the interruption. The great
lawyer Qor l believe he Is called great re-
garlod me curiously from his noncommittal
gray eyes.
ITS Of the utmost Importance" he re-
peated, when he reached his office, which
looks out on the calm figure Of Washington
dominating the steps OF the treasury build
ms
"You were very indiscreet last night, Ger
aid" Mr.. Fogg began.
what 90 you mcnn?'
Even . man Of your wealth can't take the
risk you have"
Il don't understand" began, now really
alarmed.
You court prosecution"
what have | done?"
"My clients"
"Who The devil are your clients, Mr..
Fogg?'
Very powerful people
what Is the case against me?'
I'VE have positive proof that you harbored
a mad lady" +, did not say woman, no.
ticed.
'whc is 9he?"
"Ah, that I can't tell But If you will
surrender her"
Il refer you to the Italian consul"
THE Italian consult"
'You talk In Cnigmas. | did harbor lady
who applied to me for protection last night.
She did not appear mad TO me, while the fell
low who asked for her looked the rascal. The
lady was looked after by my housekoeper.
She has not given clue to her identity, and
if"
~ can't let you know for that matter.
only advise you not to meddle."
That Ia 10 say?'
ITO return her to the house next door"
"But who are these people?"
81 can't tell you"
But l can find out"
"They are there under hcticlous names"
But how do they keep this mad woman
there"
Il can explain nothing 1t is a most un-
usual case / can only advise you to let the
matter go. The lady has been in the hands
OF her friends II you think she Is not mad
what experience have you that you all at
once constitute yourself an expert?"
Il will see the Italian consul first" said |,
still unCOnvinced.
II really advise you not to-"
but | will. Mr. Fogg," l replied, OBJ
stinately; land then if see l have been
acting foolishly, | will deliver the lady to
her friends-when l may be convinced.
II am sorry | can't explain"
You only have to convince me-" | said
but / can say no more"
l looked at the statue of Washington on
the street OF the hurrying crowd
well, good day" said |. 81 don't like
mysteries. ! think l can find out"
you make mistake Mr.. Gerald"
the lawyer called out, solemnly. But / did
not choose to turn back.
The matter certainly was assuming per-
picking guise II had befriended this mad
woman, this lady, had not been so much
fool. | at least had harbored superior per-
son. although certainly might have been
indlscreet. And here was q great lawyer
reasoning with me, and the Italian consul
invoked by the lady. If 1t were all most
mysterious. l doubtless should know all
very soon.
At the door a man, a groom-llke person.
stopped me.
Mr. Gerald?"
"Yes."
"a gentleman wishes to speak to you in
a carriage outside"
"Who?'
He will explain"
My hanson was waiting, but | walked to
the coupe the man indicated. The curtains
were drawn. but as | approached the door
opened, and there was projected the head OF
the man who had been at my door the night
before.
Eve can talk better If you will step in
side" he said.
l hesitatcd. but what danger could there
be In Wall street in the daylight, at the
hub of all that was practical, ordinary in a
great nation? Nor was / inclined to show
the feather now that the matter was plainly
put. Again, / was curious for an eXplana-
tlon. l stepped into the cab. The door was
closed.
We'll, sir?" said l. A pungent odor made
me faint suddenly dizzy, and then l knew
the cab was being driven rapidly, and that |
| was powerlass TO move; and then | was
aware, II was after long, dark interval, or |
being on my back in a little room that |
seemed to sway.
With difficulty | raised myself. Yes, ] |
was in ship cabin at sea. could not be |
mistaken.
Then all these occurrences / have writ |
ten of here followed as mysteriously as |
ever; so mysteriously, so strangely, so un- |
accountably, that | hesitate now in telling |
them lest l be called story teller In some |