Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-17
is at the present moment the safeguard Of

is at the present moment the safeguard of
Wallaria.'
Il rejoice to hear 1t, monsieur
And il you will allow me- my lord, l
will add that your presence is Sturatzberg
is the great security"
You fatter me-" Lord Cloverton return
ed. You will be pleased to learn that I
have received no notification that I am
likely to be removed from SturatZberg."
That would indeed be disaster" said
De Froilette. so, my lord, any small
help, any little information 1 can give you.
l shall give gladly. Regard for yourself
and my business interests will prompt me.
We have all vein of selfshness in u.s."
Il am honored by your confidence, and
you will be welcome at the embassy
Il will give you the information now
said De Froilette. And he lowered his
voice as he leaned toward the ambassador:
The Princess Martial
rs in Australia at present, 1 believe"
Exactly" said the Frenchman. Making
a tour of the English colonies. A delicate
attention to an honored guest and unfor-
tunate exile, designed to keep her out of
the way while the present unsettled feel
ing in Wallaria lasts; is it not SOP?
Your political acumen Is not at fault"
mo, my lord, but yours is. The lady at
present in Australia, or wherever she may
needs very powerful friends to carry
through such a deception as that"
Lord Cloverton turned sharply toward
him, and. as Francois had done, De Froi-
lette answered the unasked question.
Yes. my lord, Princess Martha is in
SturatZberg."
Hiding where?''
THAT l do not know. You will doubt
less take means to find out. Command me
If / can help you in any way"
II thank you for the Information. If you
are not mistaken. the hayward child has
been very i'll advised L gather, monsieur.
that your business affairs would suffer were
such a thing as a rising in the Princess
Maritza's favor to take placer"
Y hot tl,ana tr -zlQ -l,
vein in all Of us?"
Lord Cloverton smiled, and together they
crossed the vestibule.
Their short colloquy had not been over
heard, not had their presence been partic-
ularly noticed there except by one person
| the Countess Mavrodin. She had reached
| the head of the stairs as De Froilette had
| leaned confidentially forward toward the
| ambassador, and she hastily greeted a
| friend, keeping her standing at the top of
| the stairs while they talked. She had good
! reason to be curious regarding such con-
| fidence between two such men. and while
| she laughed and talked she watched them
| She did not move until they had crossed
| the vestibule, and when they separated she
| followed Lord ClovertOn.
| Desmond Ellerey met her and found her
| in a gracious mood.
| Have l quite pardoned You for mistak-
| ing me for another woman that night in
the Alstrasse?" she said gayly.
| II hope SO; indeed, thought so.'
| 81 am sorry: l ought to have reserved
\ some OF my uispltdSurt
| "Why?"
! so that ] might demand a favor
| "You have but to demand, countess"
| Then stay with me and keep me near
| Lord Cloverton," she said.
What. Has he incurred your displeas-
| ure, too"
Must / give reasons for my demand?"
| No"
| Then you trust me?'
| las would trust any woman"
| For moment she seemed satisfied, and
| then she turned toward him.
| rs there a meaning underneath that?
/ Do you trust no woman?
| II have learned my lessons in a hard
| school, countess. 1 trust few, either men
| or women, and have more knowledge of
men than women.
They followed Lord Cloverton across the
| rooms. and she noticed every one to whom
| he spoke. Presently he stood to watch the
| dancing for moment, but he seemed to
| avoid any person who might detain him In
conversation for any length of time.
| Il think the ambassador will leave early
| tonight" the countess said. May / beg
| another favor. Captain Ellerey? Will you
see that my carriage Is ready waiting for
| me?"
Ellerey went to do her bidding. wondering
| why she was watching the ambassador &c
| keenly. 1t took him some time to find hel
servants. and as he returned he met Lord