The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1902-08-15
CHAPTER XII.
Jones on Watch.

Jones on Watch.
When he failed to locate her at
first, sense of disappointment swept
over him, since he especially desired
to reassure her of his intention to
never again appear at a table where a
game of chance was being played.
Little did he suspect what tremen-
dous forces were at work In that gar
den, since there were so few signs WIS.,
IDLE on the surface.
Men may plot even amid the most
beautiful ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS and
apparent good cheer are no positive
guaranty against such devices, and
indeed these things often mask the
deeper, more troublous pillows of
life's tempestuous sea.
So Merrick, intent on finding the
one whom he most desired to see,
noted not the fact that dark figures
fitted after him wheresoever he went,
figures of men who apparently saun-
tered about bent upon enjoying the
delightful occasion, yet ever keeping
tab upon his particular movements.
Further back Jones was watching
the little game of hide and seek, as
if specializing as to what manner of
business was in the wind. He appar-
emily had quite few acquaintances
among those who sauntered about the
wellkept paths of the terrace gar
den, for on numerous occasions The
seemed to exchange quiet little sig
nails with various men.
Evidently Jones was INDUCING in a
little mysterious move of his own.
When the count, believing things
were all going his way, would be led
to make his boldest master stroke,
perhaps sudden dexterous move on
the part of this unsupported antag-
onist might bring about checkmate.
Merrick began to quicken his pace.
There is always an exhiliration in the
chase of love, such as in small
degree the hunter feels who follows
his antlered game through fen and
forest.
The princess saw his meteoric
fight up and down the paths, and at
another time might have sought to
exercise her charms for last time,
piqued as she had been because of
her i'll success with regard to Mark.
But even the princess seemed to
have her mind bent upon other mat
tiers of much greater Importance
Just at present.
Even when she came across Jones,
whom she had marked for her latest
victim, she hardly showed much de-
sire to renew the friendly condolences
they had seemed to experience for
each other a while back.
"You know, Monsieur JONES'" she
said, in her pretty, confidential way,
one hand upon his sleeve, that I am
connected with the diplomatic corps
of my beloved country, and as wretch
ed luck would have 1t, the ambassa-
dor has assigned me certain import
ant work in connection with a dis
tinguished parsonage whom / need
not mention, but whom you have
seen at the tables. More I cannot
say. Surely you will pardon me, and
believe me when 1 say that to-mor-
row, Monsieur Jones, tomorrow I
shall feel honored by your company"
And Jones was compelled to SUBJ
init, though he did so with consider
able reluctance, if she was correct in
thus diagnosing the look upon his
face.
He walked away through the
grounds, but kept watchful eye on
the princess. Suddenly he started.
Nov, bless my soul! there's that
same burglar or brigand who COM
manded the forces at the wreck when
they carried off the general; and he's
deep in conversation with the prin-
cess, taking his orders, as it were, If
give half of my winnings tonight to
be able to overhear; but since that
is impossible, let's see if we can't
guess it all from their looks and
manner"
Jones saw them separate.
| "She has won him over to her way
of thinking, as sure as fate, and
| nave good reason TO believe Olga
witch is determined upon desperate
action, so that we may look for an
explosion soon. Meanwhile, where is
| our valiant count all this while?"
Yes, where?
The African explorer was q man
who might bear watching as a gen.
eral thing, and If perchance he had
slipped away unobserved, the chances
were, mischief would come out of it.
Never before in all his life had he
known the Fates to be so perverse-
but he could even forgive this If one
grand coup were to reward him for
his patience and perseverance.
There was his grand scheme to be
carried out religiously-he marked
that down as Article Number One, of
the first Importance.
Then came the kidnapping of the
heiress, with her ultimate rescue by
himself, and, of course, a marriage to
follow, for a Frenchman could not
conceive Of a romantic girl turning
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