The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-08-21
CHAPTER XIV.
"BoN VOYAGE, MYNHEER JOE"

BON VOYAGE, M1NAE6h SO6!
The baron finds his vehicle awaiting
him lust outside the hotel. His driver
is on hand, and with his usual form
shows the nobleman into the carriage.
Some jocular remark is made by the
baron, who Is in such decidedly jol-
" humor that he can even notice a
menial.
Just as they are about to move of.
a man gives a signal, and the baron
stops the vehicle while he holds a low
consultation. The driver sits like n
statue. If he hears, he gives no eV.-
dence Of it; at any rate, the talk must
be a sealed book to him, for the men
converse In Russian.
"Move on, Kito," comes the order.
The stranger has not entered the ve-
hicle, and yet, when the driver casts a
look behind, he fails to see him. OF
course, the shadows are dense, along
under the trees near the hotel, and It
may be he has secreted himself among
these. Again it is possible he hangs
on behind the vehicle.
Away they go, in cloud Of dust, il
the direction of the city proper, where
lights still abound, and there Is 20
sign of sleep, such as would be falling
upon an American city at this hour.
sThe baron leans back in his equip
age and gives himself up to delicious
reflection. He has won many diplo-
matte victories in the past, but, real
ly, for the life Of him, he cannot re-
member one that has given him half as
much genuine pleasure as this signal
conquest.
He declares he is beginning to grow
old; that this is the real reason Myn.
heer Joe got the better Of him in the
affair Of honor But If he is unable to
WELD the sword with the same deE-
terity as of yore, he has gained III
other things. AS man grows older,
he Is apt to prove more foolish with
regard to love affairs. The baron
knows it, and does not deny the soft
impeachment with regard to himself.
1t is time he was marrying and keep
ing his place in the family.
These sorts of comfortable refec-
tions come to his mind when he lolls
back in comfort in the shigram and
thinks of the future. Mynheer Joe,
outwitted at last and deserted by the
fair American, will fly from India.
The baron may finish his diplomatic
task with honor, proceed with his
bride to st. Petersburg and be received
with great eclat by both potentate and
people whom he has mutually served
by his brilliant work.
Thus he muses., smoking his cigar
meanwhile and taking life as conf
Portable as he can. 1t strikes him
that the vehicle is tossing about moro
than is necessary, if the driver has
taken the direct road, and the baron
idly thrusts his head out Of the opel
window.
The moon is concealed for the time
being back of some clouds, so that al
he can make out is that the neighbor
hood does not seem familiar. Just
then there is grand lurch; one side
of the shigram drops into small cav
| ity in the street, and the baron comes
very near being tossed out. He has
the breath somewhat shaken from his
body by the sudden conclusion. Th<
vehicle comes to sudden stand. This
makes the baron furious; he has q
violent temper that OCCASIONAL!
flashes into hot heat when things de
not 60 to please him.
"Kitow he roars, shaking the door
"Sa]s.:- 1 am here" answers voice
ION, you are! Unfasten this door!
cannot make it slide," snaps the baron