The Washington herald., 1906-11-07
AMBROSE PRATT,

to the wharves. which they found COM
pletely deserted. Boats there were in
plenty, but no boatmen. They wandered
up and down for half an hour. when there
arrived a steam launch flying American
colors, TO the commander Of which they
made known their predicament He prov
cd TO be the purser Of the Yosemite a
large steamer at anchor in the bay, and
very obliging creature, to boot
who Immediately ordered his sailors
to take the friends of to the Sea
Hawk. and return for him. Twenty
minutes afterward they stepped on
board Mr.. Pergord's yacht and to
their establishment were greeted by Mr.
Perigord himself who 1t seemed had been
for some time anxioUsly expecting them.
He led them at once TO the saloon, where
they found Cardinal Carnito seated be-
fore a flask Of Seltinger which he had
already severely punished.
The cardinal had insisted on visiting the
yacht in order TO hear Cressingham re-
peat the main points Of his story in pro-
pria persona. and this the young man
was obliged 10 do, and subsequently sub
nit 70 a cross-examination which for
rigor and detail would not have disgrac-
ed a leader of the bar.
The cardinal was big, heshy man OF
fifty-fiye. but so marvelously well pre-
served that he appeared 10 be much
younger. He possessed a most winning
manner and complete control Of very
charming smile. So we'll did he know
how 10 bear himself that, although his
mind was cynical. and II was patent that
he found IT hard 10 make himself believe
a1 Ie "a
taken to his incisive phrases and doubt
ing questions. His eyes were large and
dark, but very cold and hard. He seem
ed to regard the whole world from the
standpoint Of suspicion and his remarks
were often full Of sarcasm, which he did
not attempt 20 restrain. but which he
half annulled by the confident and caress-
ing suggestion Of the smile which ac-
companied his words. He impaired the
Idea Of a man who could not refrain from
the utterance Of bitter speeches. but who
recoiled from their effect; a man wish
ful TO give himself the pleasure Of hurt
ing others, but anxious 20 disarm the
people he sought TO hurt. fearing per-
haps a return in kind. That he knew
wei the art Of dealing with men was
soon evident. for Cressingham's dispOsi-
ton was impatient and his perceptions
, =
ways as puppet in its masters hand.
lie felt his treatment. and resented IL.
but he found 1t impossible to grasp a
single definite cause Of offeuse or display
the least annoyance without becoming a
fool his his pains
The inquisitiOn lasted hours. but az
last the cardinal was satisfied. and said
so In manner so friendly and with
language so fun OF deity chosen fat
teries that Cressingham was constrain-
ed 70 feel pleased ir spite Of himself
and pay tribute, however grudgingly. 10
the peculiar talents Of his iuquisitor.
Oeitjen then related the history Of the
robbery on shore. The cardinal listened
with an amused smile and al once prom
ised 10 set about securing restitution
or their property. He recognized tbs.
roDber from the description given. and
informed them that the man was a stone
worker half Italian. half English. who
had for many years led a disreputabIe
life. and who was probably a nihilist. He
declared. however that the fellow was
a good Catholic, and had many redeem
ing points about him, and he advised
OeltJen 90 pay strict attention TO the
warning which had been given him.
Perlgoro, WHO had been absent through
out the evening, at this moment entered
The cabin. and placed in Crassinghan's
hands the jewels which he had brought
from the island Of Attain.
The young man regarded the treasures
with much embarrassment. They're real
ly not mine, you know. he said.
The cardinal smiled, eyelng him keenlv.
whose. then, are they2 ne inquired.
his voice soft as silk
They belong to the Count d'AttaIa. I
suppose"
'-WelI?''
Wen. your eminence.~ CressInebar,
resented the subtle smile with which he
was regarded
What do you propose 70 do with
themE Restore them 20 the count?''
Perhaps your emineace would be so
kind as To advise mee"
The cardinal shrugged his shoulders.
1 should prefer YOU 10 determine the
matter for yourself"
Cressingham looked him straight in
the eyes. Very well; I give them 10
your emlnenCe 10 sell. and distribute the
proceeds among the poor Of Naples"
The cardinal got 70 his feet and smiled
again, but this time his smile was really
kind, and his eyes were soft and lumf-
nous Well said, my son" he murmured:
I shall accept the trust" He took tie
jewels. The Count d'Attala is a man.
and so must needs possess a. soul. how
ever black with sin il be: a soul per-
haps, that may be saved If all his
wealth is so expended. even though IN
spite Of him, who shall say that his
punishment hereafter may not be there
by softened IN some way, AT any rate.
the gold OF the wicked is accursed and
can only be purged Of the evil which Il
has oecasioned when il is given to the
poor. for thus out of evil arises good
All theologians have thought thus. and
I think as they"
The mans face was TRANSPORTED as he
said these words. and il was impossible
TO doubt his earnestness. He resumed
presently, addressing himself to Crossing
ham and Oeltjen: You. Count Won Oelt-