The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-05-15
MYNHEER JOE,
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BY ST. GEORGE RATHBoRNE.
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COPYRIGHT ROBERT

through dense ueIWOTh VI fiAeo anu
fallen trees that covered the stream
they were navigating.
By degrees they get him to Khar-
toom, and as he had promised Tanner
the story of that doomed city's fall he
proceeds to give a graphic description
of what took place, from the time OF
Gordon's arrival up to the ill-fated
26th of January, when the Christian
hero fell, a martyr to political hesita-
ton at home, betrayed by those in
whom he trusted.
Mynheer Joe would speak as little
as possible Of his own share in these
tragic events, but they draw him out,
and he is thus compelled to tell what
happened.
While Molly sits there, her lovely
eyes glued on the face of the speaker,
deep admiration and even growing
love kindling her fine features, the
baron glares at the group from the
other end Of the piazza.
He realizes that the fates have dealt
him terrible blow, and that his case
is indeed hopeless, unless fortune
throws in his way means of over
turning circumstances.
The baron chances to be one of those
men who imagine that the battle Is
won by the party who fights for VIC
tory; therefore he will not be apt to
sit around with his hands in his pock-
cts.
Already he has proven to what end
he can be driven by necessity. None
but a desperate fiend would ever think
of getting a dangerous rival out of the
way by such a plan as running his
looks with acid. This same man Is
fertile in resources and dangerous as a
foe. Mynheer Joe may learn to his
cost that he was really safer among
the bowling, maddened dervishes Of
the Mahdi than he is in Cairo to-day.
When the spectacle grows too bitter
for him to longer gaze up the baron
walks away, muttering to himself.
Mr.. Grimes has from place Of con-
cealment been watching this game,
and chuckles when he notes the diplo-
mats discontinue. Still keeping his
eye upon him he sees the baron signal
a French ex-army officer, who has
some connection with the Khedive's
palace, being in his employ.
These two talk long and earnestly,
during which the baron glan,es a
number Of times toward the trio on
the piazza, and even the Frenchman
looks earnestly that way.
"Some deviltry afoot," mutters Mr..
Grimes. "I'd give a little to be able
to hear what is said, but must find
out the truth in another way"
Watching the couple he finally sees
them shake hands heartily; the French
officer bows, places a hand on his
heart, makes a gesture and walks
away. Whatever has been the pur-
port of their conversation the matter
has undoubtedly been arranged.
AS the baron passes NJ. Grimes the
latter quietly follows him, making
sure to attract no attention. In this
way he sees the Russian diplomat
finally enter q peculiar house, which
has something Of the appearance of q
gymnasium.
Lettering around Mr.. Grimes discov-
ers an English gentleman, whom he
knows, about to enter. He stops him
to ask a question and learns that the
building is an athletic clubroom. His
friend asks him to enter, which he
willingly does, for this IS exactly what
he wants.
A number Of men are within. Some
box, others leap and swing dumb-bells,
while not a few use the foils. Mr..
Grimes discovers the baron, dressed in
suit that is worn in the exercise,
about to enter into an engagement
with one of the professors. The sight
somehow makes him jump at conclu-
sions. Does the baron contemplate q
duel? Since his villainous plan to de-
stroy Joe's looks has failed, will he
endeavor to put the dashing explorer
out Of the way by recourse to arms
and the code Of honor?
Mr.. Grimes knows that this man has
been a principal in many duels-that
he is an expert swordsman and dead
shot. His size, instead Of being against
him, really gives him an advantage.
Hence Mynheer Joe's friend watcheG
the work of the baron closely. Mr..
Grimes is no swordsman himself, but
he can tell good wrist-play, lunge and
parry when he sees it.
Before five minutes pass by he real
ICES that the baron is immense. He
plays with the professor as a cat
might with a mouse, and whenever
he feels in the humor dazzles the
mans eyes with flashing wall of
steel, plucks his foil out OF his grasp
by wonderful wrench, and laughs in
cold-blooded. saruonic way that sets
| Grimes wild.
Heaven help poor Mynheer Joe, he
thinks, if he stands before this little
giant with q sword in his hand, There
| is just about one chance in q dozen
for him. He may outwit the baron in
diplomacy, but cold steel held in the
grasp of a wizard is hard thing to
beat.
So Mr.. Grimes watches and shud-
ders, as in Imagination he sees his
friend occupying the place of the pro-
fesSor. Before now, under such cir
cumstahces, the baron's cruel blade
would have passed through his body.
Mr.. Grimes studies his method, hop
ing to find q weak spot. AS has al