The San Francisco call., 1907-02-17

quote from memory, but my poet ex
presses the thought somewhere"
Having delivered himself OF these
emotional sentiments the Count sank
into the seat opposite his wife and
Eazed at her with dreamy eyes. Curled
up on the plush cushions. he instinc-
lively suggested the wsliest OF the
four footed family, tho fox. He sat
there with his legs crossed and his
arms folded, blinking and clluclling
in the most dfsconceTfing way All of
his features lent themselves in a
startling manner to this resemblance
to the most cunning end, sagacious of
animals. II could be seea in the erect
pointed ears; in the long nose which
seemed TO be perpetually on the scent
OF something; In The sharp eyes at
once observant and Suspicious; in the
shrewd counteuance which indicated
not only intellectual capacity but in
genuity and a fondness for strategy.
A reader OF character would have said
that this was man naturally OF q
timorous disposition, yet who If
driven into a corner. could exhibit a
boldness bordering on courage. The
soft white hand with the pinkish
finger nails suggested effeminacy as
aid the general makeup of this gem
tie. soft spoken, perfumed and be-
jeweled person.
The talk was OF travels, aud Clancy
listened with open-eyed astonishment
while Barnes represented himself to
the others as the great American
traveller. He said there was no part
OF the civilized globe he had not Wis
tied, and spoke giibly of London,
Paris, Madrid and st. Petersburg.
Clancy was lost In admiration ct the
clevcrness with which the chief played
his part. Presently the Countess
hAC rnd Ia -
seat was taken by Jerome Harvey. q
fellow passenger who had become &C.
quainted with the Count a short time
before and who seemed fascinated by
the oily tongue of the nobieman
Count Nelasquez voiced the general
desire to hear more OF Barnes travels:
Tell US about Madrid" he said
Surely something out OF the ordinary
must have occurred 10 you while
there"
There was nothing personal TO me-
replied Barnes, looking at the other
out OF half closed eyes. Incidentally,
though, heard many queer stories .
Tell Us one Of them, said Harvey.
Perhaps" continued Barnes as il
the other had not spoken. "the most
interesting Of these ~ss the adventure
OF the distinguished foreigner and the
consignment OF Italian books
That sounds interesting cried
Clancy. give us that
Well" began Barnes putting away
st a perfecto, zone day the society OF
Medri6 was increased by the arrival
OF a stranger. foreigner of dfstin-
suisbso appearance. He was cultured,
sgreeable and made many friends.
lie speke Italian fluently although
that was not his native tongue. Not
many weeks had passed before he un-
dertcok 20 form little class for in
struction."
That sounds all right" commented
Harvey. as Barnes paused to pun at
his cigar.
1T was all right" smiled Barnes,
for while, and then. as sometimes
happens I'm Spain, II turned out to ba
ali wrong. There was an agitation
going on in the provinces outside OF
Madrid. The pcasantry. Eoaded to
desperation by poverty, were holding
secret meetings with a view of rising
against the authorities. The military
and the police were constantly on the
alert, so that the movement did not
make much progress. About that
time an English vessel arrived at one
Of the outlying ports. 1t had been