The Washington herald., 1906-11-03
CHAPTER XIX.
Explanation ASsas.ination.

At : o'clock on the morn ne OF July %
Cressinghala was stin slumbering. ne
was not aroused even when the door
opened and there entered the room AIr
Perigord, Ludwig Won Oeltjen, and the
Italian guardsman.
Perigord made q gesture commanding
silence and crossed the chamber on tip
toe. For several seconds he stood gaz-
ing down at the sleeping man. his keen
eyes marking The recent scars that dis
Inquired Cressingham face. and doubt
less noting much else BESIDE, for Peri
CORD was pracuced physlognomist and
skiliful reader Of men. He turned al
IeAsth and oeckoned 70 von OelJsn, WHO
al oFce came forward.
nal do you think OF those bruises 90
he whispered.
Oeitjen, after a sharp glance. shrugged
MS shoulders. a fall ! think. sir" he
replied.
Perigord shook his head. sgSo. there
are too many scars there has been an
encounter Of some sort. Il is not the
race or traitor. OeItien"
i nave always said so. sir"
marx the hair beside MS temples II
was not gray when last we saw him
You are right. sir. IL was not"
Oeltjen"' '-''o ''---''
The count stopped and shook the sleep
ing man Gy the shoulder. Cresslnebsu7
Immediately uttered loud crv and
started I'D. Murder he shouted wildly
stop him. arrest him. Then ne caughf
sight Of the intruders and stared al them
dazedly. 'Ah" be muttered. .sAfr
ing"
What was your dreana2'' demanded
Per lgord. speaking in g loud. Imperative
voice Tel 10 me al once"
dreamed-Heavehs! q horrible vivid
cream u Was-I dreamed ] saw man
shoot al King HUmbert Z saw the kipe
fall ANS
An. and you saw the murderer yoy
shoi5ed out as you avoks to stop ana 70
arrest him. Describe him To me quickly
before you forget"
Cressiagham closed his eyes. He seem
Cd yoGns man-ah but 7 cannot ren,eno-
Der. did not see his face. But this is
nonsense, gentlemen He started 10 his
feet We have realities 70 deal with nor
dreams. is kins Humbert sttH alive.
Thank God, yes"
Has any attempt been made 10 murder
him?" 80 "a -e'
None"
Then lose no time and warn him. for
tnls IS The last day. With my own ears Z
heard him condemned by the three chiefs
OF nlhilism. and the pledge was given Fer
ms death % be ACCOMPLISHED bv July % a.
latest That is today
His three auditors stared Ar Crasst,s-
ham IN blank establishment
You heard?' satd PerIgord.
es, I heard, But. man. what are voi1
waiting fcTe Ay story can wait. Co in
stanty and warn the King. telegram 70
him al once
Perigord shook his head. we already
nave heard of the danger" be said slow
". ana already every human precau-
uon has been taken 70 safeguard his
malesty's life. Nevertheless. the detail ~
cate is news % Us. and the king had bet-
Ter oe warned OF that GO. Osltien. and
dispatch telegram in my name In th,.
Engilsh language 70 his majesty"
Yes, sir and afterward?'
Await me az the Hotel d'EuroDe"
CelJjen appeared much disappointed
but he obeyed and ar once departed
Ferigord then turned to the officer. DO
you oy chance speak Russian. Ueuten-
ant?' he asked quietly
Il, gc-d heave-s. no sigDor. II is M
Wei, kindly excuse me for Lord Cress-
ingham and I are about to converse
privately IN that tongue, and I wish for
the protection Of your presence. SO desper-
ately DO / fear this Eaglishman and so
much GO / respect his talents"
Certainly signor."
Cresslr CHAM turned fiery red ana said
N Russ.an. you have some motive Tor
insulting me, Mr Perig0rd."
None Whatever" answered the other
coioIy- I1e explanation Of nv words is
quite simple. Until ! hear what YOU hsvf
10 say | an compelled to regard YOU as p
traitor 70 the order a desperate and
dangerous rufGan, the more worthy of
Iear because you are brave, intelligent
ana by birth a gentleman"
Inank you kindly. sir, said the young
man with satire.
PerigOrd fToWned What have Won
done with Nine. Viyella?" he demanded
Why, nothing"
Where have you left herr"
Inoer the protection or her father"
And where may that be?'
Why, where but in her fathers bousa -.
You are fippant. my lord Wh1 is her
rather, and where does he reside?"
her father Is q gentleman Of means
and leisure. He resides anywhere but in
the Island Of Anarchos, Mr.. Perigord.
PeTlgord stamped his foot upon the floor
and flushed with passion Have q care
my lord, he muttered angrily; you ap-
pear TO forget your position. Clear your
mino OF all illusions, and Immediately.
l Understand once and for ali that YOU
are my prisoner and in my power. Re
member the fate Of Klein, tell YOU. we
have worse puaishments in reserve for
traitors than for our enemies, especially
traitors who are stubborn and recall
2itrant when caught"
Cressingham gave him frown for frown
and answered haughti,y: That Is il.
SIR you take me for a traitOr.'