Los Angeles herald., 1906-07-15


IkHS18I Cressingham gave hurried glance
- around but not single conveyance
was IN sight. Bracing himself up he prepared for
| run The carriage set off citywards at n very
smart pace, but soon turned abruptly east to
Unread maze of narrow and illliphted thorough
tares. Cressingham almost lost It many times,
ouI stralnlng every nerve he pressed gamely on,
ana at last beheld it draw UP before a large and
imposing mansion
j., Leaning against wall in the shadow of a por
Vlco ne painted for breath, and the world swung
round him for while He saw through blur
red haze the Prince alight from the carriage and
ascend the steps. Slipping cautiously along the
houses, he approached the carriage by full fifty
PAGES Two policemen on their rounds had
turned the corner of the street and quickly over.
took nm They were disputing excitedly togeth-
er, else they must have noticed him.
Hardly had they disappeared when the Prince
descended the steps of the house, lady leaning
on his arm
The Prince placed her in the carriage. then en-.
tered himself. The driver whipped UP his horses
.he carriage turned and passed within dozen
1eet OF the amateur detective. Cressingham wait
ed until 1t had turned the corner then dashed
Oft In pursuit
AS nearly as he could recall the way it seemed
to retrace its previous path, but now more leis-
urely' and he was able to keep it in view with
less expenditure of effort. Presently emerging
from the streets upon the sea road it increased
ITS speed, driving rapidly northwards towards
the upper neck of the great bay. The speed told
on Cresslngham, but with clenched hands and
hard'set teeth he ran along, satisfied to keen his
quarry even distantly in sight so that he did not
lose 1t altogether. One mile two miles; he had
his second wind by this, and the old bulldog in.
stincts of the English race awoke grimlv in his
heart
Three miles Buildings were now infreouent
The red back lights of the carriage twinkled in
the distance and the carriage was going quite
slowly, To his left stretched the magnificent
panorama of the bay; to his right the dark bold
outlines of the classic hills of Italy. But Cres.
slngham knew nothing now of time or place.
Then came despair indeed; the carriage had
suddenly disappeared, and he was helpless, for he
could run no more. But still he walked on at
the best pace he could, though utterly exhausted
unconscious that he was climbing to the summit
of a little hill
He topped it at last, to see before him a tinv
span of beach quarter mile below and thescar.
riage waiting there. With little cry of triumph
some energy returned to him. The slope assisting,
he staggered down the hill, and, turning to the
side, approached the carriage from the sand
He saw boat resting by the beach and several
dark figures standing there Hardly knowing
what he did struggled towards them and at
last threw himself upon the ground, fifty PAGES
from the group, behind little clump of sttinted
shrubs.
As he watched. two figures detached themselves
from the group and walked his way-a man and
woman, who spoke together with the utmost
earnestness. They halted presently, only few
PAGES from his lair.
They stood, their backs turned to him. but
soon he recognized the Prince from certain ey-
travagant gesticulations peculiar to the man
After what seemed to Cressingham an intermina-
BILE period. but in reality was only a few mo.
ments he had so far recovered his composure as
to hear vague murmurs, and little later words
and whole sentences.
The Prince spoke quickly and eagerly; his de-
meanor was authoritative and unrestra ined; he
appeared to be angriy urging some course upon
the woman which was repugnant to her inclina-
tions; she answered him for long in monosylla-
bles, and her attitude was distinctly combative
"You are mad even to dream of returning"
cried the Prince in fluent Russian. care you
blind to the dangers that threaten? You will
be lonely. What then? Dull, perhaps. but safel
Soon ! shall go to you-as possible. That
prospect does not please you? Speak"
"What do you call soon?" asked the woman in
a muf0ed voice.
cone week, perhaps; two at furthest 7 would
accompany you now did dare; but in that case
1 should be ruined. Already believe that Peri.
| CORD suspects. 1t will require much art and my
constant presence here for the next few days to
battle his suspicious
| Cressngham experienced such n shock on hear
ing these words that his strength'and energy re.
turned in sudden flood. He strained forward,
! fearing to lose word.
The woman replied: "You are all so much
afraid of Perigord For me, I laugh at him!
! Twice have ! fooled and Knocked at him as easily
as that -" She snapped her fingers, and sud
denly gave vent to a peal of laughter. .
Cressngham found the sound most tantazing.
ly familiar but he could not fix it in his mem
ory; he was certain that he knew the woman,
though who, who under heaven could she be?
She spoke on when her laughter ceased Even
already he will know that his pretty bird has
flown. All, what would / not give to see his face
this Instant"
1--WE waste timel" said the Prince "You
should be gone this. Let us bid each other
farewell here"
Goodbye, then" said the woman, holding out
her hand.
"Have you no warmer offering for your hus-
band, Katherin?"
"Katherin!" thought Cressingham and sudden.
ly he understood. The blow was sharp, and al
most took away his senses. He bit his lips to
keep back the cry that burst trembling from his
heart my God! Madame escaped and here!"
With violent effort he restrained himself from
Immediately rushing forth and doing he knew not
what Madame's words came to him in sort
of dream. "When you make me your wife be-
fore the world, | shall be kinder-not before,
Too long have l been a soft submissive fool"
Kate, Kate you know well how impossible it
is My nephew"
''Your nephew will not live for ever If you
had not been such fool"
"Hush!" cried the Prince, glancing round him
furtively "Ha, those shrubs some one may be
fore?" Swinging on his heel, he quickly ap'