Los Angeles herald., 1906-08-12


recalcitrant when caught"
Cressingham gave him frown for frown and
answered haughtily: That is it, SIR you take
me for a traitor"
For the space Of fifty seconds Perigord gazed
into his eyes as though he would read the young
mans soul; then he did strange thing, thing
that showed himself to be man of great and
noble mind capable Of grand and generous ac-
tions Turning TO the officer he said in swift
Italan "Be kind enough, Lieutenant at once
to release Lord Francis Cressingham.
The Lieutenant evinced no surprise Ger
tainly, Sienor," he said, and taking key from
his pocket stepped forward. Next instant Cres-
sngham was free.
Mr.. Perigord said to him with grave but
kindly dignity In Russian: my Lord, took
you for traitor because you disappeared from
Italy the same moment as Madame Viyela. No
doubt you will be able to give me good reasons
Tor your wandering. If / have misjudged you,
/ hope you will forgive me; for my recent ex-
pressions, in that they have pricked your sensi-
bilties, unreservedly apologize"
Cressingham who was rubbing his arms, which
were cramped from their long continued unnat-
ural position, answered frankly: I'm glad you've
apologized, sir; more glad you've seen fit to re
! lease me before | told you my story. L sup
pose I'd better commence from the beginning
and tell"
Excuse me, my Lord, I fancy neither of us
have breakfasted. Had we not better postpone
the story for whle?
well if you don't mind I'm I don't
To tell YOU the truth I'm rather keen to try
what feeding myself feels like after being trussed
up in that fashion for so long"
Come then, we'd better go to a hotel"
excuse me-" said Cressingham, there's lit
tie matter I'd like to settle before we leave.
This officer has parcel of jewels belonging lat
any rate temporarily to me, which I'd like to
recover possession of"
Perigord smiled II have them in my bag.
| II Il
did not think you were gem collector
must congratulate you your taste, my Lord.
Well, if that is ally
Quite"
Perigord took the young mans arm and led
him from the palace. He occupied the drive with
an account of Colonel Elliott, whom Cresslng
ham was delighted to learn had, in spite of the
DEGREES of medical science, been restored In a
measure to health and to full possession of his
mental faculties. The old gentleman, it appears,
had however lost the of his lower limbs, and
finding himself of use to Perigord had re-
turned to London, and was there an1iousy
awaiting news Of his daughter, whose deliver
anee his unhappy state compelled him to en-
trust entirely to others.
Half an hour later they were seated with Oelt-
len at breakfast in the dining hall of the Hotel
d'Europe. Cressingham made a very good meal
indeed but the others ate lttle and although
thew courteousy endeavored to converse on or
dinary topics of the day it was patent to the
Enplishman that both expiring with Gu
riosity and keenly anxious for him to make
haste With pardonable malice he disobhged
their expectations and ate as slowly as possible.
Finally, Pergord seemed able TO stano tne suS-
pense longer.
"You said. my Lord, that you heard the
Three decree certain thing?" he muttered.
II did" replied Cressingham, filling his mouth
with bread. 80,
"You saw as well as heard?"
fCTOI
"Then you know them; you would recognize
them again.
Perfectly"
e'You perhaps know where they are now?"
Cressingham slowly drank glass of claret
Gone for certain, the other two only vaguely"
fFThere is no one within hearing" said Peri
CORD. "you might whisper names"
Cressingham leaned forward, and the Others
Instantly drew up their chairs "Have you ever
heard Of a man called Bosa Gracei, Conte DAT
tala?" he whispered softly
Perigord stared at him blankly and shook his
head, but second afterwards CLEAN came into
his eyes "stay, let me Think" he muttered
'Ts he very old MANI"
eyes, very DID,
at know him, then. I met him years ago in
the Casino of Monte Carlo. He invited me to
have supper in his boat, but was unfortunately
unable to accept.
''Pardon me-" said Cressingham, you said 'un
fortunately In my opinion, you were very
lucky. for that accident probably saved your
life You NAV take your oath then that he had
marked YOU and gave that supper simply on
vour account That man is one Of the cleverest
on earth, and at the same time the most un-
scrupulous scoundrel.
T3nt Cressineham arose. "Take me where we
NAV converse in perfect safety and | shall soon
relieve your curiosity. Hal" he gave sudden
little gasping cry and dropped as though he had
been shot. pulling the table cloth and its
tents over at the same time with wild clatter
70 the floor When he arose his face was
smeared thickly with black mass of treacle,
behind which his features were absolutely un-
RECOGNIZABLE He then spluttered out hoarsely
in fierce Italian to his companions utter amaze:
"Corpodi Baccho! My leg was asleep and gave
vay under my weight. Sapristi this stuff is
choking me. Quickly, signores, lead me to
bedroom / am blind, cannot see;
,,o,,sed astonishment at the ludicrous figure he
emf. hut Cressingham seized with one hand the
s,r, of Oeltien. with the other the arm of Peri
c,ord and gave to each an iron grip. The
S.;,,ce he muttered che must not see me-"
then resumed his Italian oaths and dragged his
companions swiftly from the room swearing like
a trooper.
Rpt Prince Carlos, who had just entered by
another door accompanied by two Austrian nav
al officers hurried after the trio and caught
them in the passage. Mr.. Pergord, want
YOU" he cried
''My dear Prince, kindly wait for me mo-
ment," said Perigord. My friend signor Carrega
| has met with an unfortunate accident, and
really must attend to him.
The Prince nodded 'Very well, shall be in
the reading room.
yviped the sticky mess from his face with