The Washington herald., 1906-11-05


drel / believe the world has ever mistaken
for a gentleman. He Il IS"
He il is? lie It is? You mean
But Cressingham arose. Take me
where we may converse IN perfect safety.
and / shall soon relieve your curiosity.
Ha" he gave a sudden little gasping cry
and dropped as though he had been shot,
pulling the table cloth and it's contents
over at the same time with a wild elatter
TO the floor When he arose his face
was smeared thickly with a black mass
OF treacIe. behind which his features were
absolutely unrecognizable. He then splut-
tered out hoarsely in fierce Italian, 10 his
companions utter amaze "Corpo di
Baccho, My leg was asleep and gave way
under my weight Sapristi, this stuff is
choking me. Quickly, signores. lead me
to d bedroom. ] am blind; I cannot see.
Every one in the room stared and laugh
ed in amused astonishment at the ludi
crous figure he cut. but Cressingham
seized with one hand the arm OF Oeltjen.
with the other the arm Of PerigCrd. and
gave 10 each an iron grip. The prince.
he muttered; "he must not see me-" then
resumed his Italian oatbs and dragged
his companions swiftly from the room,
swearing ike a trooper.
But Prince Carlos, who had Just enter
ed by another door. accompanied by two
Austrian naval officers. hurried after the
trio and caught them IN the passage. Mr..
PerigOrd ! want YOU" he cried.
My dear prince, kindly wait for me a
moment" said Perigord. My friend Sig
nor Carrega has met with an unfortunate
accident, and I really must attend to
him"
The prince nodded. Very well; shall
be in the reading room
As soon as Oeltjen's bedroom was
reached, he wiped the sticky mess from
his face with sponge, and turned 10 his
companions. who stood watching his OpeT-
ations IN expectant silence
THAT was a narrow escape" he re-
marked c0Olly The prince is one Of the
three Nihihst chiefs. If he had recog-
nized me, Heaven only knows what might
have hapepned. for he knows / know. al
though he believes I was drowned z week
ago. But go down 10 him, Mr.. Perigord.
Do not keep him waiting; he might get
uneasy"
PerigoTd surveyed the young man with
glance Of open admiration Really,
my lord" he said frankly, you must re-
turn 10 the diplomatic service. England
needs the service Of men Ike yourself.
Oeltjen. attend 10 your friend while 1
am gone. ] shall not be long" From the
door he made "a peculiar sign to his sec
retary, which, however, Cressingham re-
marked.
For some minutes the two friends
watched each other in silence. then Cress-
ingham said: What did that sign mean,
Oeljen?'
Really Cressingham, can't tell you"
The counts face flushed, and ne looked a
little ashamed
Nod If / guess il, will your
"Well-well-you see ="
Please. I'd do as much for you"
i think ! may Indeed. I shall.
Good II meant: Watch him carefully.
On no account allow him a moment from
your sight, Am l right?"
OeItjen nodded
Cresslngham smiled ard shrugged his
shoulders He can't allow himself 10
trust anybody completely, that man.
Strange. isn't IL? Wonder what the true
reason Is. I fancy it's lack of breed
ing myself. He's a grand chap, wonderful
y brainy and all that sort Of thing. but
l don't think he had q grandfather, DO
you. Oeltjen?'
"One can't tell He is as you say. a
wonderful indeed. an extraordinary man.
But l have certainly noticed little things
about hiL --
He is a poor speIer.~ said Oeltjeu.
rs he. now? Wen. I've never once
found his grammar faulty, for al the
wonderful linguist that he undoubtedly
is. What country do you guess he sprang
FROM"
America, l think"
HIN, / rather fancy he's q French
man"
Permit me to assist you. if you are
talking of me, said an ironic voice from
/ the doorway. I was born at Totna, on
/ the Danube"
Perigord entered and locked the door
/ behind him. after giving some direction
/ 20 man in the passage without.
/ Cressingham and Oeltjen were cast In
/ utter confusion by his sudden appearance
/ and his words, but he turned TO them
/ presently with a good d-humored smile and
said: some day I shall tell you ali about
myself. since you are interested enough
1 to Ice curious concerning me. But for the
/ present we have business on hand and
I confess that / am anxious TO play the
/ listener myself. First. however, let US
/ defend ourselves from eavesdroppers
/ have men on guard, but that is no rea-
/ son why We should not observe every pos
/ sible precaution.'
/ While yet speaking he advanced to the
/ bed and Unceremoniously gathering up
/ quilt, sheet, and blankets IN his arms
/ ne fixed them around and about the door
so that any cunning person who might
! essay to listen without would find his
! trouble quite in vain Satisfied with his
/ arrangements he drew the others to the
/ farthest wall of the room and himself
sitting on the unclothed bed motioned his
companions 10 chairs beside him. Now
my lord" he said eagerly, commence
! please. and from the moment that l left
1 you at the palace gate the night of the
1 Council -
Cressingham nodded and began his
| story. II was then II O'clock a. m Al
/ s ?. m. he had finished having spoken
/ almost uninterruptedly for seven hours
and so engrossed had he been IN his dis
/ course and so rapt had been his audi
/ tors attention that neither ne nor they
/ had given solitary thought to lunch OF
any other thing outside the story that
/ he had to tell
long silence followed his last word. a
| silence given up to anxious reflection;
| then Perigord said slowly: Il cannot for.
/ give myself for having believed you a
/ traitor, Lord Francis. Oeltjen was wiser
than 1; he maintained your good faith
! through everything"
Cressingham smiled and held out his
hand to the count Thank you. old
| chap" he said gratefully.
Oeltjen grasPed his proffered hand and
pressed It warmly. but made no reply.
However" said PerigOrd, I shall try
to make amends. To you I shall intrust
the task Of rescuing Miss Elliott and Won,
friend Miss Desire, and OF kidnappine
Madame Viyella. I like the plan you have
arranged for that, and we shall follow
1t. But tell US. my lord, how many mer
has the count about him?"
About twenty, my lord. as near as
could count. There may be more"
HIN. the place must be seized by {