The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-07-15

TIT isn't that he was beginning
hotly, when he pulled up short and fee
bly, subsidized, without explaining why
be should have desired a tete-a-tete
journey.
With, the starting Of the train a sus-
tanned and confidential conversation be-
came impracticable, nor did either of
the fellow travellers seem inclined for
one; but as they sped southwark the
senator found plenty of food for refec-
ton in his companion s behavior. 10
the experienced, American eye the out.
in the breast-pocket of the duke, whose
fingers never strayed far from that re-
ceptacle-an attitude which was always
more distinctly marked during the in
frequent stoppages. Except when it
was distracted into swift and nervous
glance round by a movement Of one Of
was always focused on the precious box
which the senator carried on his lap.
| Either he means to rob me himself,
or he is scared lest someone else ,wil,'
was the senator g conclusion. Z
But the journey came to an end with
out either of these consummations being
arrived at or even attempted, and the
ducal, liveries at Tarrant Road station
removed the senator's last lingering
doubt as to the dukes identity. And,
twenty minutes later, when, still hug
ging his dispatch-box he found his wife
and daughter, waiting to welcome him
was ready to laugh at himself; and
what the senator was ready to do he
"Ah, Jeml'' he cried as General
Sadgrove came forward to greet him.
ur,You'H never believe what an ass
I've been making, of myself. Some
thng il the british his soil guess Saa
to clear my silly brain Of a lurking
suspicion that his grace's kindness in
coming to meet me covered a design
on this little box. Took him for a
sort Of bunco steerer." -.
The general passed over the remark
as careless jest without pursuing it,
but shook hands with his old friend
warmly. The veteran was looking care.
worn and aged, the Senator thought
r and he wondered, too, at the queer
searching glance which the general cast
upon their mutual host as the latter
limped from the brougham into the
, hall. The duke was engaged in max
l ing light Of the thanks and re
. proaches showered upon him for going
t guessed that that singular proceeding
. had been unknown beforehand to thu
j.. house party. n~ ~
They all went into the tapestry room
r where Mrs. Talmage Eglinton, nov
: happily recovered from her headache
Q of three days ago, was chatting t,
t sybl Aanbury ana Alec Forsyth. tn
g by Beaumanoir, whose spirits had won
: derfully revived with his entry into tn
g house-to such an extent, indeed, tina
g LEONE put it down to few hours il
> the company of her breezy father, lit
o tie thinking that they had travele,
: two hundred miles together without ez
}. there Was nothing forced al about =: til
is duke 8 sudden gaiety, it certainly sug
It gested unnatural excitement, and every
It one present was impressed by hi
t changed demeanor. Mrs. Talmage Ee
o linton was SO affected by it that i
t, narrowly observing her host she faile
: to notice that for some minutes afte
q the introduction she herself was th
I, ty sharp scrutiny, on the part Of Ser
8 ator Sherman.
a "say, your grace exclaimed tn
i, senator, recovering from his abstractio
s and turning with some abruptness t
10 the duke, III can't enjoy your hosp
r tally with whole heart till I've 90
d, this treasure under lock and key. Hav
1t you got any place where can deposi
% the box with tolerable confidence o
g. finding it when want to take it to tn
d Bank Of England tomorrow It's
It just retribution, I guess, to have t
h make you its custodian after suspec,
s. ing you Of wanting to lift it,
Beaumanoir, it seemed, was quit
d. equal to the occasion.
20 81 can guarantee the impregnabilit
ar Of the freproof safe in my munime1
la ROOM he replied with alacrity. q
IS You win come with me, we viii loo
ID it up at once.
Sturdily disregarding the badinage {
30 his wife and Leonie for thinking roll
g. berry possible at Prior's Tarrant, tt
senator followed the duke, and was col
ID Quoted by him along many corridors |
ar q stone-foored chamber lined wit