The San Francisco call., 1905-04-09
CHAPTER XXI.
The Face on the Ivorv.


came upon a striking group at the villa
entrance. Shelley. with his wife be-
side him, confronted the severe-faced
syndic. who stood stoIidly with the
comfortably plump avooat A look OF
indignation was on his brow. and
Mary's face was perturbed.
Here he is" said the functionary In
his neighborhood patois. and with
satisfaction.
You have business with me?" asked
Gordon.
Il nave / require you TO accompany
me at once to Cologny on a matter
touching the peace of this canton"
And this matter is what?'
You speak French" returned the
syndic tartly; doubtless you read Il as
well''-and handed him a clipping from
the Journal de Belgique
Gordon scanned the fragment Of
paper. first with surprise, then with a
slow and bitter smile. He had not
seen the story, but it differed little
from scores OF calumnies that had filed
the columns of less credulous news
papers in London before his departure.
1t was a breath fresh from the old
sulphur bed Of hatred. brought sharply
to him here in his solitude.
Il see." he said: this states that a
certain English MILFORD had turned
highwayman and deprived an honest
Fleming OF wagon? How does It af-
feet ne?'
DO you deny that you have the
wagon?" demanded the syndic curtly.
The wagon? 1 have a wagon, yes.
One bought for me by my servant"
In Brussels?"
'.As it happens, in Brussels" The
paleness Of Gordon's face was ac-
centuated now, and his eyes held cores
of dangerous flame. And because I
am an English MILFORD, and bring
wagon from Brussels. you assume that
! am a rObber?"
You were driven from your. own
country" menaced the other. DO you
think we hear nothing, we Swiss? This
canton knows you we'll enough Stop
those horsest" he snarled, for the great
coach, ready for it's trip to the town.
was rolling down the driveway The
Syndic sprang to the horses heads.
At the same instant the two stran-
gers who had been in the overturned
boat. now with clothing partially
dried, came from the house.
"There" The syndic pointed to the
ornate vehicle. DO you deny this is
the wagon described in that newspa-
per. and that you absconded with it
from Brussels?''
The older Of the two strangers turned
quick eyes on Gordon, then on the
wagon Before Gordon could reply he
spoke in nervous French:
Il beg pardon. / was the owner OF
that conveyance. and the one who sold
it,"
searo,xLo -o;5 ~. s,.-o4;....--.. sst..e
you did not sell it to this person, I
have reason to believe"
mo, yonder Is the purchaser lie
pointed to q prOsaic figure at the steps.
His valet." Shelley thrust in explos-
lively.
II told you So" srunted the man Of
law, and started with the surprise OF
recognition. as the syndic, ruffing
with anger. turned on the strangers
with sarcasm: Friends of the English
MILFORD, no doubt!'
The counselor laid a hasty hand on
his sleeve:
"Stop!" he said. IT think 1 have had
the honor OF meeting these gentlemen
in Geneva. Allow me to present you.
monsieur, to Prince MaxrocOrdato.
Minister Of Foreign Affairs OF Walla-
CHA. and''-he turned TO the latter's
younger companion - his secretary.
Count Pietr0 GAMBIA Of Ravennar
These we're names whose owners had
been public guests of the canton This
Englisb.nan. evil ard outcast as he
might be. he had no legal hold upon.
He could scarcely frame a grudging
atology. for the resentment OF self
righteousness that was on his tongue,
and stalked Off up the terrace in sullen
ehagrin, not consoled by the chuckIes
of the attorney beside him.
Gordon saw them go, his hands
trembling. He replied mechanically to
the grateful farewells of the two stran-
gers as they entered the coach. and
watched it roll swiftly down the dark
ening shore road. a quivering blur be-
fore his eyes. A fierce struggle was
within him, the peace which the tran
quill poise of Shelley's creed had lent
him, warning against a CLAIMANT rage.
Not only in England was he
maligned. Here, on the edge OF
this mountain barrier, defamation
had followed him. The pair rid
ing in his own carriage knew who
he was; the older had spoken his name
and title. And they had not elected to
stay beyond necessity. Yet for their
momentary presence indeed. he should
be grateful. But for this trick OF CO.
incidence he should now be hailed be-
fore bunging Genevan tribunal his
name and person mark for the spar
ring of pettifogging Swiss officials,
These thoughts were elashing through
his mind as he turned and walked
slowly down to the bank where Shell
ley's Swiss servant had moored the
strangers rescued boat. bailed out and
with sail stretched TO dry. The sunset.
as he stood. famed redly across the
lake, it's ray glinting from the rim of a
bright object whose broken chain had
caught beneath the boats gunwale.
He leaned and drew 1t out.
1t was an oval miniature backed with
silver-the portrait of young girl,
face frail and delicately hued, with
fine line of chin and slender neck. wiz
wlstful eyes the deep color OF the Adri
attic, hair a gush OF tawny gold, skin
like warm Arum lilies. and a string OF
pearls about her neck Evidently IL
had belonged to one OF the two men
with whom the craft had capsized. 1t
was too late now to overtake the coach:
he would send it after them that
evening.
He turned the miniature over On
the back was engraved a name. Ter
pSa GAMMA % (xau1ha2 IL had b0pn Ona