The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-09-26

and ! saw her eyes fixed on the tall man
whom had noted at Genoa What was the
reason for their aversion to the man. /
asked; there seemed to be no recognition
between them; but certainly this person
was known TO them. and feared by them, /
pltcable concern.
But as we drove up the slope above the
ramDiing old town. the blue mountains be-
|opd. the scent of roses borne on a lam
gushing breeze, the wide, gray and blue
sTetch OF the sea below, as we drove on,
Stfiousness passed. and felt had known
Dora Manners and her mother for long
tine instead of-as the case was-for hardly
more than an hour.
So the first day of a delightful week be-
gan AS it happend neither they nor /
Knew any one in MentOne. We rambled
about that coast from Mentone to Nice
Inc princess seemed TO give me opportuni-
ties TO know her daughter whom / began
to like, I thought. better than any girl l
ever had known. She had the most charm
ing ways. the most delightful little CO.
quetries: all coupled with a good. honest
girI5 sincerities-a girl who liked horses
and dogs as much as T. a girl who made me
q little better man than L had BEEN At
that weeks end she knew every detail of
my life: and 1 knew something of hers, or
her days on that far-reaching steppe, of
her life about Europe. of her friends, and
scme of these French and Russian gentle
men / heard about left me chagrined--or
shall l say jealous.
One night had left her and was sitting
at my window looking out over the moonlit
sea when there was a knock and the waiter
said "Mademoiselle Manners begs to speak
to Monsieur
I was on my feet and found her in the
corridor below, a little wrap over her gown.
Her eyes were very bright, and / thought
she was trembling.
This is very unconventional" she said
with a little forced laugh 81 expect man.
ma would scold me-"
Il can't imagine that" I said.
'Ycu needn't be complimentary" she said,
Il have something more important for you:
come outside on to the veranda.
The veranda was deserted. and I noted
she looked up and down. if she vaguely
expected some one to be lurking there.
Isn't the moonshne lovely?" she said.
"Ah. there's no one-is there%"
Not q soul that l can see. 1t must be
''Weii. let's sit here in the shadow of the
rose-bush This chair is comfortable.
She drew the wrap closer about her. al
though certainly it wasn't at all cold. l
thought she trembled.
Mr.. Brinton." she said, leaning over to-
ward me. Il like you
The words came out so suddenly that
had no time for vanity, and they were fol-
lowed by other serious. earnest words that
left my own fine or impulsive phrases out
of the question.
"Because-don't misunderstood mel
believe you are acknowledgements must
trust somebody. You don't understand. l
see. How can you? But you can tell me
one thlng--will you do me great favor
I said rather fervently that I would do
ANYTHING in the world that she asked.
is not safe for me to have it about me-
She took from under her wrap with
quick nervous motion long, thick en-
velOpe. sealed with red wax.
1T is valuable, then" l said. Il will
take it willingly, if it will oblige you. But
why don't you give it to the propretor-or
shall I?-he has a safe"
mo, no. they will make the proprietor
"Ah What do you mean?" But ended,
81 beg your pardon. Now what do you
wish me to do with t?''
put it where it will be entirely safe"
81 might take it over to Nice and leave 1t
with the banker there
''If YOU 90. no one must know about it,,
she said decisively.
"You mean" I said, lingering that
strange envelope. my curiosity getting the
better of my gallantry-1ny interest in her
that there are persons interested in get
ting possession of this packet-persons who
can search-you-here in France?'
THE police cam she said. do you I'M
derstand?
You and your mother are Russians-or
your mother is.
ut is the Russian police
ooh! said I quickly, thinking Of all the
stories / ever had read or heard of Mini
listic plotting, They can search you; they
1.-THE French police will permit it," she
said. '"They open our mail.
But they won't search me- SAID
because 1 am an American.
mot now-because they don't know. If
they knew they would.
destroy ii ~
1T can't be destroyed" she said. IF it
we're it would kill five personS-conflscat
their estates If it is seized they VIII de-
stroy it,
with you at Genoa-gave it to you at the
you you saw it?'' she asked eagerly. GLOW
irdscreetly that was done. He saw it, too.
"A tall bearded man-forty perhaps-with
q military bearing, 'sI said.
Yes, yes; You noted him, too? 49,
"E1e's a Russian detective officer" then
went on. 1.-THE Princess Soubaloff gave 1t
to you because she thought they would
q YES es9pN yes.'' she said. Now" She
leaned over toward me, her hand on my
arm, her face near to mine: Now will you
risk it for me- Mr.. Brinton?"
II will risk anything for you" I said; and
toward her to say more, but she drew back;
THANK you-much. so much, she said
softly, her voice shaking little.
Il am so sorry you are troubled"
1T is. good Of YOU to be sorry You will
II shall keep it where they cannot find
it-until you ask me for It,, l said
You are wondering perhaps why mamma
doesn't approach you about it,! she asked
quickly. ~
Manners"
1T is that she doesn't suspect-not
word. 1 took it from my cousin. Stephaine,
to help her. l am watched. We shall be
searched Mamma is familiar with the ways
of the Russian police and perhaps she will
not mind that. But it would worry her to
death to know that had mixed myself up
in-that affair. | come to you.
II appreciate the trust l said simply.
Il know you do. / know you will guard
it," she cried, extending soft, moist hand,
which pressed mine. Then. throwing her
wrap over her face, she rushed into the
house leaving me in a world of perplexity.
What did it mean? What did / know of
these two women? Were they really what
they represented themselves to be? But the
memory of her blue eyes. her simple honest
girlishness or what appeared SUCH made
me put my suspicious away as unworthy.
Finally I took the packet from my pocket
and held it up to the moon. 1t was one OF
these heavy blue linen envelopes. such as
those with which bankers inclose valuable
papers The three seals were impressed
with a crest that was unknown to me. The
envelope from it's bulk and the feellng,
Sc ened to be stuffed with papers.
MAY | offer you a cigarette, Monsieur?
said a voice over my shoulder.
/ looked up like a criminal caught red
handed, aud guiltily thrust the packet back
into my inside pocket.
do have a cigarette, Monsieur, came
the same insinuatingly polite tone or the
man whom Miss Manners's story declared
to be a Russian detective. Even IN that
light I thought I could see the twinkle of
his black ewes for l was certain they were
black and malicious. He was tall, supple,
well-tailored: his black beard carefully
kept: his tone was of the politest
Il am obliged Monsieur. said 1t s
good of you, but ] am about going 10 bed
''Mentone is delightful this season, ne
went on cycling my coat, which bulged with