The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-13
CHAPTER XXIII
An instruction to the police


 An instruction to the police Count Sergius was little more than uneasy when Alban returned-he was sus- picious A highly trained agent of gov ernment himself he rarely permitted any circumstance, however trifiing, to escape him; and this circumstance Of tardlness was not trifing.
 He has met the girl" the argument went, "and she is detaining him with q fine story of her wrongs He may learn that we have tricked him and that would be troublesome Certainly l was fool not to have him watched-but, then, his first night in Warsaw and he stranger! We shall make up for lost time at once. I will see the chief and give instructions. A dove does not go but once to the nest. We will take wings ourselves next time By which it will be perceived that he blamed himself for having lost a great opportunity and determined not to do so second time His whole purpose in coming to Warsaw had been to track down Boriskoffs daughter and to hand her over to the police. This he owed to his employers the government, and to his friend, Richard Gessner-than whom none would ray better price for the ser vice. And when it was done, then he imagined that nothing in the world would be easier than to excuse himself to this amiable lad and to take him back to Eng land without any loss of time whatever. In all a pretty plan, lacking only the finer Judgment to discern the strength of the enemys force and not to desplse them.
 Alban entered the sitting-room just as fhe count had determined to have his breakfast It was nearly twelve o'clock then and the fierce heat of the day made the streets intolerable. Few people were abroad in the great avenue-there was no repetition of the disturbance of yesterday, pallOD. ID below in the restaurant a bevN of smariiy dressed women ate and gossiped to the music of a good Hungarian band. From distant streets there came an echo oi gongs and the mufHed hum of wheels; the sirens of the steam-tugs screamed in- cessantly upon the sleepy river. Whatever the counts curiosity might have been he had the wit to hide it when Alban appeared Adopting a well-feigned tone of raillery. he spoke as men speak when another has been absent and has no good excuse to make.
 q will ask no questions he said with mock solemnity-"A man who forgets how to breakfast is in a bad way. That is to suppose that you have not breakfasted- ah, forgive me, she makes coffee like chef perhaps and there is no Rhine wine to match the gold of her hair Let us talk politics, history. the arts-anythng you like I am absolutely discreet, MT Kennedy, have forgotten already that you were late"
 Alban drew a chair to the table and be- gan to eat with good appetite. His sense of humor was strong enough to lead him to despise such talk at any time. but to- day it exasperated him. Understanding perfectly well what was the counts mind. he was not to be trapped by any such artifice. Honesty is card which dip lomatist rarely expects an opponent to hold Alban held such a card and de- Af time
 "I have seen Lois Borslxoff' he said.
 "Again--that is quick work"
 The count looked up. still smiling.
 1T told you that we should have no difficulties" he exclaimed.
 Alban helped himself to some superb bisuue soup and permitted the waiter to- fill his glass from a flask of Chablis.
 "It was quite an accident upon my part I went up to the castle as you ad- yised me and then down into the old town Lois is with her friends there I have had long talk to her and now ] understand everything"
 The count nodded his head and slipped his wine. The frankness of all this de- ceived him but not wholly. The boy had discovered something-it remained to be seen how much.
 You are successful beyond hope" he exclaimed presently, "this will be great
 
 asked her plainly what had happened?'
 "She told me without my asking. count. Now I understand everything-for the first time" The tone of the reply arrested Sergius' attention and brought frown to his face. He kept his eyes upon Alban when next he spoke.
 "Those people are splendid liars" he remarked as though he had been expect ing such a story-"of course she spoke about me- I can almost imagine what she said"
 'It was a very great surprise to me-" AIban rejoned, and with so simple an air that any immediate reply seemed inl- possible For five minutes they ate and drank in silence. Then Count Sergius excusing himself, stood up and went to the window.
 ed anon. "she would be very foolish to do so, Count"
 Foolish my dear fellow. whatever do you mean?'
 T mean what l say-that she would be mad to put herself into your power" The count bit his lip. It had been many years since so direct an insult had been offered to him, and yet he did not know how to answer it.
 T see that these people have been lying to you as I thought" he rejoined sharp ly, is it not indiscreet to accept the word of such a person?"
 You know perfectly well that it ie not, Count. You brought me to Wa saw to help you arrest Lois BoriSkoN Well. I am not going to do so and tif' is all"
 Are you prepared to say the same your friend in London-will you ca that news to Mr. Gessner?"
 q was going to do so without any of time. You can send the message me if you like"
 Nothing will be easier. Let mo taks it down at your dictation. Really l air not offended You have been deceived and are right to say what you think
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