The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1906-10-22
CHAPTER XI.
The Vengeance Of a PrInee


He had not TO wait more than five
minutes before "a carriage emerged bear
/ ing Prince Carlos. He had expected the
prince on foot, and might have allowed
the carriage to pass unsuspeeted in the
darkness but for the fact that the prince
at that moment was in the act of lighting
cigarette, and his features were thus
revealed
Cressingham gave a hurried glance
around. but not a single conveyance was
in sight. Bracing himself up he pre-
pared for d run, and presently his pow
ers were taxed in that direction TO their
utmost limit. The carriage set of city
ward al a very smart pace, but soon
turned abruptly east TO thread maze OF
narrow and nl-lighted thoroughfares.
Cressingham almost lost it many times.
but. straining every nerve. he pressed
gamely on, and at last beheld II draw up
before a large and imposing mansion. He
STONED abrlaz,sls-- -almOSt done for. al
through a fine athlete, hie stfuess on the
voyage had made him weaker than he
thought
Leaning against wall in the shadow Of
d portico. he painted sobbingly for breath.
and the world swung round him for a
While. He saw through "a blurred haze
the prince alight from the carriage and
ascend the steps Even at the distance
which separated them ali of a hundred
Yards. he heard the mans impatient thun-
der at the door. Then followed a CRATE
full silence, during which he gradually re-
covered bis strength and curiosity Slip
ping cautiously along the houses. he ap-
preached the carriage by fun fifty PAGES,
4 81
dent Two policemen on their rounds had
turned the corner OF the street and quick
iy overlook him. They were disputing ex-
citedly together. else they must have no.
ticed him, for although he shrunk into the
shadow and fiattened himself as much as
possible against a wall they passed 50
close that either could have touched him
Holding his breath. he feared they would
hear the beating OF his heart. but they
noted nothing. and presently exchanged
some words with the driver Of the princes
carriage.
Hardly haC they disappeared from view
when the prince himself descended the
steps of the house, a lady leaning on his
arm. Cressingham strained his eyes. but
could only catch a glimpse Of the outlines
Of her figure.
The prince placed her in the carriage
then entered himself. The driver whipped
up his horses, the carriage turned and
passed within dozen feet of the amateur
detective. Cressingham waited until il
had turned the corner then dashed off in
pursuit
As nearly as he could recall the way. If
seemed 10 retrace its previous path but
now more leisuTely. and he was able 10
keep it in view with less expenditure of
effort. Presently emerging from the
streets upon the sea road, 1t increased its
speed, driving rapidly northward toward
the upper neck of the great bay. The
speed told on Cressingham, but with
clenched hands and hard-set teeth. h ran
along. satisfied TO keep his quarry even
diStantly in sight so that he did not l0se
it altogether. One mile, two miles: he
had his second wind by this, and the old
bulldog instincts of the English race
awoke grimly IN his heart. He would run
till he dropped dead; he could be broken,
he would not be beaten.
Three milesi Buildings were now infre-
quent; those that he saw, splendid villas
inclosed in spacious grounds, but few and
far between; street lamps had been left
behind. The red back lights Of the car
riage 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
CTessingham knew nothing now OF time
or place; he saw nothing, thought OF moth
ing but those sparkling spots so far ahead
that twinkled and Knocked at him like the
eyes Of demons. All idea OF duty had long
vanished from his mind. II had become
personal struggle between himself and
those demon eyes. lie felt that they were
haunting him, and with the fierce re-
vengeful energy OF despair he put forth
all his fast expiring strength and forced
his lettering limbs along
Then came despair indeed. the CarriSce
had suddenly appeared, and he vas
helpless for he could run no more. But
still he walked on at the besc pace he
could. though utterly exhausted, uncOn-
sclouS that he was climbing to the SURF
init of little hill
lie topped ii at last, 10 see before him
a tiny span Of beach a quarter mile below, /
and the carriage waiting there With
a little cry Of triumph some energy re-
turned TO him. The slope assisting, he /
staggered down The hill and, turning to
the side, approached the carriage from
the sand He saw a boat resting by the /
beach and several dark figures stand |
ing there. Hardly knowing what he did. |
nc struggled toward them, and at last /
threw himself upon the ground. fifty i
PAGES from the group. behind a little
clump of stunted shrubs No one had /
observed him. for his footsteps had been /
noiseless and the dark was kind. For a 4
terrible i've minutes he painted, helpless |