The Washington herald., 1906-12-15

cross as battery mule and twice as OBJ
stinate"
Lord Commission talked himself out OF
the office. and went down 10 Cove Castle
by a later train. Here he managed TO
pacify the impatient Bernard. no easy
task. But the lessons Of that week taught
Dick patience, a quality he had always
sadly lacked
True to the appointment made by letter,
Signor Tolomeo appeared at Durham
Office and was at once shown Ia. He was
a tall man with a keen, clever, dark face.
His hair and mustache were gray and
he had a military appearance. In his
bearing there was great dignity, and II
could be seen at a glance that he nad
good blood in his veins. II WAS true what
Sir Simon had said The TolOmeO family
had been mobiles of the Sienese republic
for many century, and although their
pTesent-day representative was poor in
pocket and played the violin for a living,
yet he looked a great lord But his dark
eyes had a somewhat reckless expression
in them, which showed that Tolomeo
lacked what is called moral principle.
Durham received him politely and In
dicated a seat near his desk with a smile
Tolomeo. with great courtesy. bowed and
sat down. Then he fixed his large eyes
on the lawyer with an inquiring air, but
was too astute TO say anything. He had
been brought here on an errand the pur-
port Of which he knew nothing; there
fore he waited to hear what Durham
had to say before he committed himself.
"Signor Tolomeo" said the lawyer,
you were surprised to see my advertise
ment?"
L was. indeed" replied the italian.
who spoke excellent English. Our last
interview was not particularly pleasant
This may be still less so" rejoined
Durham. dryly; but as it concerns your
nephew. Bernard. perhaps you will be
"Ah, poor Bernard said the uncle
He is dead"
mo. He is alive"
Gran Dior Tolomeo started from his
seat in a somewhat theatrical manner.
What is this you say. signor?'
II say that he is alive, but in hiding
I tell you this because I know you Ike
Bernard and appreciate his kindness to
you"
yes The boy is a good boy He has
been very kind 90 me Although. added
Tolomeo. with a somewhat cynical air,
Il do not deserve it. All, signor, the
want OF money makes US all sad rascals."
That depends upon ourselves" said
Durham. somewhat sttffiy. mo man need
be a rascal unless he likes
Money can make a good man or a bad
one insisted the Italian.
7 don't agree with you. But this is not
what / wish TO talk about. Signor Toll
omeo. You are pleased that Bernard is
alive?''
Very pleased. But I trust he will es-
cape"
"Ah! Then you believe he Is guilty of
the crime"
"He-or the other one"
What other one?" asked Durham.
sharply
Tolomeo looked directly at the lawyer
Before I speak out" he said. 'It will
set my mind at rest 10 know what you
mean"
Does that hint you want money!
Money is always a good thing. and 7
need 1t badly" said Giuseppe, struggling;
but as this regards my own nephew, I
am willing 70 aid him without money. ]
loved my sister. his mother, and she was
badly treated by that old mani" Tolo-
meO's eyes flashed He insulted her, and
we-the Tol0meo nobles-vere great
lords In Siena when your England was
wild forest and savage peoples"
Did you tell Sir Simon this when YOU
saw aim on that uight?"
The Italian started up in some alarm
What? You say I was with this Eng
lish miser when he died?"
NO / don't say that But I say you
were at the house on the very night, and
about the time the murder was com
mitted. For all I know. signor, you
may be able 20 say who killed him"
CONTINUED NEXT MONDAY.