The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1905-06-02
sic Sewers
HENRY SETON nERRI4AN
oupyr1sht lsA By Harper d Brothers
CHAPTER xxx,

uO1O okO " ~
~ society. Paul and Steinmetz
usually left the castle Immediately aft
er breakfast and did not return till
nightfall.
rs there anything wrongT Maggie
asked Steinmez on the evening of the
second day.
Steinmetz had Just come into the
vast drawing room dressed for dinner,
stout, placid and very clean looking.
They were alone In the room.
Nothing, my dear young lady-yet,'
he answered, coming forward and rub
bing his broad palms slowly together.
Because" she said, 'if there is you
need not be afraid Of telling me-"
ITO have that fear would be to offer
you an insult" replied Steinmetz.
"Paul and I are investigating matters;
that is all. The plain truth, my dear
young lady, is that we do not know
ourselves what Is in the wind. We
only know there is something. You
are a horsewoman; you know the feel
ing Of a FESTIVE horse. One knows that
he is only waiting for an excuse to shy
or to kick or to rear; one feels it thrill
ing in him. Paul and l have that feel
ing in regard to the peasants. We are
going the round of the outlying vii
lagos steadily and carefully; we are
seeking for the fly on the horses body.
You understands"
Yes, l understand"
She gave a little nod. She had not
lost color, but there was an anxious
look in her eyes.
Some people would have sent to
Tver for the soldiers Steinmetz went
on, "but Paul is not that sort of mar.
BE will not do it yet. You remember
our conversation at the charity ball in
London:"
yes"
II did not want you to come then. I
am sorry you have come now"
Maggie laid aside her newspaper,
with q little laugh.
But, Herr SteinmeU.' she said, 81
am not afraid. Please remember that.
I have absolute faith in you-and in
Paul.
1t may not have been entirely by
chance that Claude de Chauxyille drove
owe to Osterno to pay his respects the
next day and expressed himself desc
lated at hearing that the prince had
gone out with Herr Steinmetz in a
aleigh to a distant corner of the es-
tate.
MY horses must rest" said the
Frenchman, calmly taking off his fur
gloves. Perhaps the princess will see
me-"
a few minutes later he was shown
into the morning room.
Did / see Mile. Delaf1eld IN snow
shoes in the forest as l came along?'
De Chau1yille asked the servant in
perfect Russian before the man left the
room.
Doubtless. excellency. She went out
on her snowshoes half an hour ago"
When Eta opened the door a minute
later he bowed low without speaking.
There was a suggestion of triumph in
his attitude.
"Well:' said the princess, without
acknowledging his s%alutation.
De Chauxyille raised his eyebrows
with the resigned surprise of a man
to whom no feminine humor is new.
He brought forward a chair.
will you sit?' he said, with exag-
gerated courtesy. II have much to say
to you. I have the good fortune to find
you alone"
$50 you have informed me-" she re-
piled coldly.
De Chauxville leaned against the
mantelpiece and looked down at her
thoughtfully.
"At the bear hunt the other day /
had the misfortune to-well. to fall out
with the prince. We We're not quite at
n on a question Of etiquette. He
thought that l ought to have fred. l
did not fire; I was not ready. 1t sp-
pears that the prince considered him
self to be in danger. He was nervous
furried-n
You are not always artistic in your
untruths." interrupted Eta. Il know
nothing Of the incident to which you
refer, but in lying yoa should always
" SouSiStSul 1 d1u sun
Paul was not nervous or furried.n
De Chauxyille smiled imper1urbably
His end vas gained Eta obviously
knew nothing of his attempt to murder
Paul ut the bear hunt.
1T was nothing. he went on. wv.
did not come to words. But we hav.
never been much in sympathy. Tn,
GOODNESS Is intensified; that is all. So
took the opportunity of calling when
knew he was away"
-How did you know he was away?'
"Ah, madame, l know more than
am credited with"
Eta gave a little laugh and shrugge.
her shoulders.
You do not are for OsternoY' sug
gested De Chauxville.
Il hate it,"
Precisely, and l am here to help so,
to get away from Russia once for all
All. you may shake your head. Som,
day perhaps I shall succeed in eonyine
ing you that I have only your interest
at heart I am here, princess to max
q little arrangement with you-a fna
Arrangement, l hope"
He paused, looking at her with
sudden CLEAN in his eyes.