The Washington herald., 1906-11-05
CHAPTER XIX-Continued.


For the space Of fifty seconds Peri
CORD gazed into his eyes as though
he would read the youDg mans soul, then
he did a strange thing, thing that
showed himself to be man Of great and
noble mind. capable Of grand and seper-
Gus actions Turning TO the officer he
said in swift Italian: BE kind enough,
lieutenant at once 10 release Lord
Francis Cressingham"
The lieutenant evinced no surprise.
Certainly. signor" he said: and taking a
key from his pocket stepped forward.
Next instant Crcssingham was free.
Nh Pe-igord said 10 him with grave
but kindly dignity iE Russian: My
lord. ! took you for a traitor because
you disappeared from Italy the same
moment as Madame Vyella. No doubt
you will be able 10 give me good reasons
for your wandering. If ] have misjudged
you. / hope you viii forgive me; for my
recent expressions, in that they have
pricked your sensibilities, I unreservedly
apologize
Crcssingham, who was rubbing his
arms. which were cramped from their long
continued unnatural position, answered
frankly; I'm glad you've apologized
sir; more glad you've seen fit to release
me before ] told you my story. ] sup
pose I'd better commence from the be-
ginning and tell"
Excuse me. my lord, I fancy neither
OF us have breakfasted- Had we not bet
ter postpone the story for a while?"
We'll If you don't mind I'm sure
don't To tell you the truth, I'm rather
keen to try what feeding myself feels
like after being trussed Up in that fash
/ ion for so long"
Come then, we'd better go to a hotel -
Excuse me- said Cressingham. there S
little matter I'd like 70 settle before we
I leave This officer has a parcel Of jewels
belonging cat any rate temporarily 10
me- which I'd like 10 recover possession
Of"
Pcrigord smiled. / have them in my
/ bag Very fine stones they are too, most
/ Of them. I did not think you were q gem
| collector. I must congratulate you on
your taste, my lord. Well, If that is
ALP
Quite"
! Perigord took the young mans arm and
\ led him from the palace. He occupied the
drive with an account Of Col Elliott
whom Cressingham was delighted tO
/ learn had. in spite Of the DEGREES OF
! medical science, been restored I'm q meas
ure to health and to full possession Of his
mental faculties. The old gentleman. il
! appears, had. however, lost the use Of his
/ lower limbs. and, finding himself Of no
I use TO PerigOrd, had returned To London.
and was there anxiOusly awaiting news
I Of his daughter, whose deliveTance mis-
! unhappy state compelled him 10 intrust
! entirely TO others Half an hour later
! 2, Ole
/ fast in the dining hall Of the Hotel
! ld'Europe. Cressingham made very good
/ meal indeed, but the others ate little.
1 and although they COUrteOusly endeavOred
/ to converse en- ordinary topics Of the day,
/ e was patent 10 the Englishmen that
both We're expiring with curiosity and
/ keenly anxious for him TO make haste.
/ With pardonabie malice he dis0bliged
/ their expectations and ate as slowly IS
possible. Finally Perigord seemed able
| 10 stand the suspense no longer.
; You said. my lord, that you heard
the Three. the Three, decree a certain
/ tning?' he muttered.
4 did replied Cressingham, filling his
mouth with bread.
/ You saw as Well as heard2''
! Plainly"
Then YOU know them: you would
/ recognize them again?'
! Perfectly"
You perhaps know where they are
/ uow2"
Cressingham slowly drank a glass OF
claret "One for certain the other two
only vaguely"
There is no one within hearing" said
Perigord. you might whisper names
Cressingham leaned forward. and the
others instantly drew up their chairs
I Have you ever heard OF a man called
BoSa Gracci, Cont dAttala?" he whis-
pered softly
Pcrigcrd started at him blankly and
shook his head, but a second afterwsrC
IA CLEAN came into his eyes. stay: Iet
me think he muttered rs he q very
old man2''
Yes. very old"
Il know him, then I met him year.
ago in the Casino of Monte Carlo. II,
lost half a million francs, after three
times breaking the bank with a system
which he had invented. I marked him a
the time as the best and most passionIes.
gambler l had ever seen He lost tha
vast sum without appearing 10 mind II
the least. and gave brilliant suppe
next evening on his yacht TO which ever
one Of any consequence was invited
was, however, unfortunately unable {,
attend, for I was called away suddenly I,
St. Petersburg"
/ Pardon me- said Cressingham. "vol
said unfortunately In my opinion vo,
were very lucky, for that accident prob