The Washington herald., 1906-11-07
CHAPTER XX-Continued.

One woman, bolder than the rest. made
vicious lunge at Cressingham, but he
caught her wrist and shouted out: Fools.
We are English"
The word was like a talisman. The
knives vanished as quickly as they had
been drawn, and a storm of ''Vivas"' and
viva Inglesi"' rent the air on instant.
The woman, seized with remorse Ga
wrinkled hag she was) threw her arms
round CTessingham and kissed him Yio
lently on both cheeks. He gasped and
struggled, but quite in vain, and the bel
dam. quite satisfied with herself. pres
emily hurried back the way she had
come, yelling Ike a demon and fortu-
nately taking the other devils with her.
1T looks ike a revolution" painted
Oeltjen.
mo fear Of that" said Cressingham;
''the military are too strong; but the
spirit OF revolt is loose. There will be
blood split tonight I think"
'Ay," cried a hoarse. chuckling voice, to
their surprise, in English; there win be
blood split tonight. signores." and
short, brUtally ugly creature emerged
from the shadow Of an open doorway
close at hand and barred their passage
with a cooked revolver.
Money II 1t please you. signores. and
all you have about you; your watches and
rings besides, What luck to come 20
poor man; what beautiful, heaven-sent
luckn'
Oeluen moved his hand TO his pocket as
though TO comply, but the man gave a
hollow laugh and covered him. Not YOU.
hands above your heads, please. Giulet-
ta. he shouted suddenly.
a second figure sprang from the dark
ness, the figure Of slender girl dressed
in rags. but as pretty as the man was
ugly. Search these gentlemen. Oiuletta:
don't be squeamish about It, either your
father will protect you; every pocket. ID
the Innings Of their vests"
The friends. though savagely angry.
were compelled to submit. and so clever
ly the girl did her work, that in less than
fve minutes she had divested them OF
rings, scarf pins. watches. and Oeltjen's
revolver, and they were left without so
much as a copper piece between them.
The man counted the spoil before their
eyes, putting the banknOtes in his pocket
and testing the gold coins with his teeth.
mumbiing all the while with SIce Then
he calmly ordered his victims 70 walk
backward down the alley for the distance
OF fifty feet, and finally satisfied. address
Cd them in this fashion; "Signores, go
home and sleep peacefully; you have done
a noble deed tonight, for you have gen
erously helped the poor and the mother
less Through your kindness 1 shall be
able 70 drink your healths for Il month TO
come at least, and GiuIetta has to thank
you for the new dress which tomorrow
shall buy her. Go, and God be with you.
7 cannot ever hope 70 repay you, but al
least accept this little gift from me as a
souvenir OF the night" With q mOcking
laugh, he tossed his pistol toward them
and disappeared into the shadow, a door
changing violently behind him.
Cressingham strobe forward and picked
Up the weapon, which after a second he
handed silently 10 Oe:tjen. The count
gave vent 20 an angry German oath. bur
Cressiugham clapped his hands 10 his
side and broke into a hearty roar of
laughter, in which his cOmpanlonpresently
Joined, though perhaps not with equal
heartiness, for he had been robbed Of
over 800 OF Perigold's money. The
revolver was made Of painted wood.
It's all very well for Us TO laugh" said
OeItjen presently, but the rascal has
got away with EI20 which belongs
% Perigord.''
Let us pursue him then-come on"
No, thanks; he has my revolver. which
is loaded in every chamber
THE police?"
Hopeless; they are already over oc-
cupied. They would not listen to US"
Let US then resign ourselves. since
nothing can be done. BY tove. it was a
clever rascal. Ludwig; he almost deserves
his spoil, doesn't he2"
Hin; Perigord will be angry"
"Bosh. man; I'll give him check for
. - D. -
had was worth twice the sum. Ha. ha, ha.
hal One doesn't often meet q humorous
dog like that I'd like TO know the fel-
low"
An upstairs window OF the house cppo-
site which they stood opened at this mo
ment, and a voice cried out. the voice Of
the thief, Take a friendly hint from me.
Count Won Oeltjen, and get yourself as
soon as possible out Of harms way"
Who are you?" demanded Ludwig.
What matters that? Do as I bid you;
you are marked with the red cross. and a
tiger is already after you"
Thanks for the warning, but tell me
a little more"
Keep your thanks; one good turn de-
serves another I can't tell you more than
I have, but if you are wise do not walk
the city after dark. Good nightr' and the
window was pulled down sharply.
Seems We have stumbled on a nest of
nihilists," muttered Cressingham; wed
better pad the hoof. BY Cad! that fel-
low was not at all bad. after all II
thought he couldn't be; a man with his
sense Of humor is bound to have some
good in him"
Oeltjen gave a little grunt of dissatis-
faction. but he took the others arm. and
they hastened from the spot as fast as
they could walk They soon reached a
main street, and by dint Of much push