The Lamar register., 1902-07-30
CHAPTER Iu-(contInued.)

they find themselves under the gaze OF
the Princess Olgavitch."
She frowned and then laughed.
"Ah surely not you, monsieur. not
you. But the danger of which speak
is genuine. 1t springs from country
man of mine and his friend, the great
and bold Count Leon Villebois. They
have a trap of some sort set for you.
should you threaten to win in the
game you are playing. They are men
without any regard for the law or
right Stromboloff is a Cossack OF the
Don, whose peculiar habits cling to
hira even in Paris. while the other
has lived so long amid wild border
scenes in Africa that he has learned to
take what he wants when the mood
comes on. So you will see that they
make a dangerous combination, and
they seem to hate your friend espe-
cially."
"a thousand thanks. princess. for
yoar warning, and on your part pray
believe that we are not ungrateful for
your kindness because we have al
ready been placed on our guard"
He showed desire to break away.
Though evidently piqued more or
less by her inability to fascinate him,
the clever woman knew how to play
her cards too well to think OF precipi-
tating matters.
81 hope we shall meet again, mon
sieur. when perhaps you will be able
to give me a little more time" she
said archly, holding out her hand to
him.
THAT will be pleasure I shall look
forward to-" he replied, gallantly. as
he pressed her hand. nor did the prin-
cess fail to return the squeeze.
Yet when he passed from her sight
Mark Merrick gave the beautiful wo-
man no further thought. nor did he
dream that their interview had been
intently observed by a demure little
figure seated in window at the far
end of the parlor. a figure that bore
more or less resemblance to the South
African heress who had attracted his
attention and caused memories to
throng his mind as he surveyed her
through the glass that same morning
in the Bois de Boulogne.
Merrick went straight to the room
which his companion occupied.
No sooner had he entered. however.
wrong. for Jones had a look OF dis
gust upon his face.
More trouble. my dear boy" he
said with poor excuse of grin. "the
Joneses amt used to much. I'll admit.
but this is pretty rough treatment even
for them. After all our work. this is
the barren result"
He held up the open packet SO that
hat ntatn cd
sheet of paper well. crumpled and
soiled, yet sheet of paper upon
which not single stroke of pen or
pencil could be discovered.
That was all!
Somehow the comical side of the
matter presented itself to Merrick, AMI
for the life of him he could not resist
smiling.
"But-there is. no system-at least.
died with the man who broke the
bank" said Merrick, seizing the paper
and examining it carefully.
Then he was struck with the keen
expression of his companions face.
What! you still have faith?" he
demanded.
well. it dies hard with me. I am
about to order cab and go back"
ITO the monastery"
ITO Father Anselmo.'
"Ah! you suspect him.
Not of having intentionally deceiv-
ed me, but of having made a mistake.
See here, on the outside of the packet
is rough cross. Some one put that
there in order to remember true
from a false. Perhaps the dummy
was arranged in order to meet some
possible emergency such as theft
"Unless you object, should like you
to occupy my chair and smoke my
cigars until | take the turn around.
Given three-quarters Of an hour. and
| shall be back, unless I am detained
unusually long at the other end"
Merrick thought he noticed a mean
ing back of his words, and was quick
to say so.
"You expect company here?'
well it is always possible. Those
fellows are not built on the order OF
cutters We shall see more of them
sooner or later. perhaps the former"
Merrck dropped into an easy chair.
with his face toward the door, he
opened the cigar box and selected a
weed. which he lighted. then from his
pocket he drew little piece of steel
mechanism which he laid upon the
table beside him.
Merrick sat and smoked and ponder
ed. Perhaps a panorama of the STIR
ring events that had marked his career
in South Africa floated before his men
tai vision, for he smiled several times.
though his face finally clouded over
and long sigh forced itself from his
lips.
Tho last scene might have been