Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-27
CHAPTER XI-Continued.


member of the Austrian embassy who had
often quite unsconsciously given her valu-
able information, but she could add moth
ing to her knowledge today. She knew
Baron Petrescu had fought a duel and had
been wounded but she did not know who
| his opponent was. Later, In the Bots.
Frina heard many versions of the story
| but not in one of them was Capt. Elerey' 8
| name mentioned. She did not understand
| 1t. There was some undercurrent of In
| trigue going on of which she was ignorant.
| Her carriage was drawn up to the side of
| the road. where she was holding small
| court Of pedestrians, when she caught
sight of Lord Cloverton. 1t was seldom
! that he walked in the Bots, but that he
| should be there in confidential colloauy
| with Monsieur de Froilette was nothing
| short of marvellous.
Lord Cloverton saw the countess, and
| stopped a little distance away. lie wanted
! to speak to her. but had no desire that
I De Froilette should be third at the in
| terview.
| Il am exceedingly obliged to you. mon
| sieur," he said to his companion. ANY in
| formation respecting Capt. Ellerey's where
abouts just now will be of immense ad-
| vantage to me-that is. to the country. He
i Is Of those reckless young men who.
while winning our admiration, do not blind
| us to the fact that they are dangerous"
"Ah, 1 have admired him and seen the
| danger for long time" De Froilette an
! swered. The commercial interests have
in this country force me to keep pace with
| its politics. l am not an expert and 1t is
/, sometimes very difficult 81
! II can quite believe it." said the ambas
! sador. looking, however. wonderfully in
! credulous. Il do not fancy 1 have ever
| hoo ~ L., %
| interests lie
Timber, my lord"
"A profitable business"
| Il hope so in the future. At present
| there Is too much unrest. With the Prin-
cess Martha in Sturatzberg-''
I'm that 1 think you are mistaken, mon
sieur.''
NO my lord. Mine was trusted informa-
| ton. Through the same channel l shall
| learn where Capt. Ellerey is.
"a spy MONSIEUR"
| He would be hurt to hear himself
called so. He is a servant of mine. inter-
eSted in my business, and valuable fell
low. He has known Capt. Ellerey's move
| ments for months past. and even now, I
warrant. is at his heels You shall hear
| from me, my lord. the moment he re-
| turns
| "A thousand thanks. monsieur; you will
f, place me under an obligation. And the
value of the news will depend on the state
! of the timber trade he added to himself
|
ened Monsieur De Froilette; 1 wonder what
| it is
Joining the little crowd round the Coun-
| tess MavrOdin, he entered into the con-
atom with the heartineSS of a who
| hasn't care in the world; and one by one
| the others withdrew, 1T was evident that
| the ambassador intended to remain. Frina
Mavrodin desired nothing better. Lord
| Cloverto on could doubtless tell her the truth
| and although she did not for one moment
| expect him to do so. she thought she could
| probably draw it from him with the help
of the knowledge she already possessed.
| My horses getting rather FESTIVE,
| they have been standing so long. Will you
drive with me- Lord C.overton?'
| He thanked her and got in beside her.
''One seldom sees you in the Bois," she
said.
mo. 1 will be honest. 1 sometimes sleep
! in the afternoon, countess"
| And today" she queried, with laugh.
To-day business brought me- 1 hoped to
see YOU -a.
Surely you fiatter me- Since when have
you considered me capable of being bust
| ness-like?'
| II am all seriousness, countess Politics
| in Sturatzberg are as dried wood stacked
| ready for burning. and a torch Is already
in the midst Of it. Until now the torch
t has been moved hither and thither. giving
the wood no time to catch; but now l fear
| the flame is held steadily. I seem to hear
| the first sounds of the cracking
| II seem to have heard the beginning
often she answered, but swift hand
| has always saved the situation"
| THE danger has never been SO imminent
| as it is now, countess
Are you not still in Sturatzberg to cope
with the danger?" she asked. turning to
| him with a radiant smile.
| Il stand alone. countess; what can one
| man do? I wonder whether you can credit
me with disinterestedness whether you can
| believe that 1 have the welfare of this
| country at heart while carrying out the
| policy of my OWN?
rs not that the position of every am
! bassador?"
| "Nominaly. perhaps. l was asking you
| to believe something more definite in my
| case he returned. DO I ask too much?
| In a measure, you and l are drawn to-
| gether in this crisis. We should be allies
| Are my poor wits of service either
way?"
| "A woman is always valuable ally and
| the Countess Mavrodin knows her power.
No. 1 am beyond turning pretty speeches
today" he went on quickly; the times
| are too serious for them. You know, coun-
! tess. what occurred last night?"
| Il left the palace somewhat early" she
| said but there was an air of constraint
| about. What caused it. Lord Cloverton?'
| 81 was referring to Baron Petrescus af-
| fair. No one has talked of anything else
| today
And you can tell me the truth of it,
she exclaimed. Il am glad. l have heard
| many stories since / entered the Bois'
| II was expecting to hear the real truth
from YOU" said the ambassador, fixing his
| eyes upon her.
| From me! Am / the wife of some
| bourgeois in the city to inflame the baron s
| susceptibilites into indiscretion? 1t Is
| some such tale / have heard"
| But which you knew to be untrue coun-
tess"
Il have thought more highly of Baron
! Petrescu than that. l admit.
Naturally. seeing that Capt E!lerey Is
! not bourgeois of the city. and has no
wife far l know. My young country
man is boaster beyond his worth, it
| would seem. The baron has found his
! match
rs that the truth of it," she asked inno-
! Gently.
Il congratulate you upon your cham
| pion," returned the ambassador. You look
| surprised, countess: but in the inner circle
| of such a court we have here in Stur-
| atzberg such secrets will find a tongue"
| You have changed your serious mood.
| my lord. IT appears. and 1 am at a loss to
| understand the pleasantly"
| Believe me, countess, l was never more
| serious. Something of the barons political
| leanings are known to his ma jesty, and
| the affair has assumed a political signifi-
| canoe in his eyes. The law has lain DOR
| mant. 1t is true. but dueling is an offense
| against the crown. and the king has Seen
| fit to set the law in motion. Capt. Ellerey
/ lie oI,f in Sf.rro nh 7 ~