Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-22
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Diplomacy Of Lord Clovertr

slowly anu gradually Alter tile SelSdlio"s
Of movement and galloping horses, there
was utter oblivion for time. followed by
sharp pain which seemed to be caused by
some one bending over hin-a shadowy
figure whose attack upon him he was power
less to resist. Then he heard voices, and
more than one shadow fitted vaguely across
his vision. Presently he realized that he
was stretched out at full length, and that
he was in a room which had an intricate
pattern on the ceiling, the lines and curves
of which his eyes were trying to follow.
well. doctor?"
Nothing serious was the answer. "A
bullet has torn the f1eshy part of the arm,
but it would hardly account for his collaps
The man is thoroughly played out. and has
had sleep for some nights probab bly,.
and has been at high tension for a long
time"
But will he be able to travel?"
He would be better for twenty-four
hours sleep first
That is out of the question" was the an
swer
is it long Journey" asked the doctor
Yes: but he will be we'll cared for, and
will have nothing to do
1T will pull him down bit, but he will
stand it all right the doctor returned.
His is the sort of constitution which
stands anything"
At first Ellerey had only been conscious
of voices. now he partly understood what
was said, and half raised himself.
Where am I?'' he asked family
All. that's better" said the doctor;
drink this, it will start you toward recov-
cry. No, leave that arm alone, it Will be
1T hurts a Bit, Ellerey answered Il
remember; De Froilette did it. l think
struck him down: l forget what happened
after that and h" drank from the glass
handed him.
We'll, Goldberg. he looks better already"
said the other man. coming forward and
standing by the couch. do you know me,
Ellerey?'
Lord Cloverton."
Il told you | would pluck you from under
the whee.s of Juggernauts car if l could.
and so far | have succeeded
Il don't know how you have done it, but
l thank YOU
Il will leave you for little WHILE said
DR.; Goldberg. How long before he starts?
Delay it as long as you can"
"A couple of hours" said Cloverton.
very well. l will come in and see him
packed up.
Il cannot 60, said Ellerey as the door
closed upon the doctor
Listen to me" SAID che ambassador, sit
ting down on the end of the couch. Il am
not going to critic;se your actions and that
you are here in the embassy proves that
still feel some interest in you. l hardly ex-
pected to save you, but Captain Ward was
fortunate in choosing the right spot to res
cue YOU and he managed to get you here
without any one knowing You are still
being eagerly sought for
should like to thank Captain Ward"
said Ellerey
You shall before you go"
Il cannot leave SturatZberg said FL
lerey
You can understand that under the cir
Gums ances l have run some risk in hav-
ing you brought to the embassy" Lord
Cloverton went on. 1T is quite impossi-
Bile for you to remain here. and to go into
the streets of the city would be to go to
your death"
do not understand"
Perhaps not; but I have myself to
think of as we'll you. For both OF US it
is necessary that you cross the frontier as
soon as possible. In two hours we start I
am going as far Bresen on my own af-
fairs, and in case of accident, an escort is
10 accompany my carriage, which will be
closed nave made the most of the dan
gers to myself and have demanded that
my person shall be we'll guarded You
VIII go with me, and for your Journey
from Breslen have made further arrange
me4ts: You are unlikely TO be stopped"
you owe no further allegiance to the
cause you have strivea for. You can de
part IN all honor. The cause is anaihi-
lated"
Il know. my lord. 1 know; still, 1 cannot
leave SturatZberg.
Somehow I expected to find you difficult
70 PeiSudoe, salu LORD CloVerton, rising.
Il have no time to argue with you; I will
send some one else to do that. l hope to
find you more tractable when 1 return
, He went out of the room. closing the
door gently behind him. Elerey raised
himself on the couch, wincing with the
pain his arm gave him, but determined to
balk the ambassador while he had the OBJ
portunity; 1t was evident that if he re-
NAMED there Lord Cloverton would force
him to this journey, and he was too weak
to OFFER any real resistance, but once in
the streets he could hide and wait, and
seek Martha in every corner of the city
until
The door opened again and closed. FL
ierey pack was toward it, and he did not
turn. 1t was only servant, probably
who would go away presently.
'Desmond"'
A few hurried steps. the quick rustic of
a dress and then a figure was kneelng by
The couch and head was pillowed on his
breast
Desmond"
For moment he did not speak; he
could not. His confusion returned and
seemed to overwhelm him. Surely he was
still dreaming?
Martha. You? Is it really you? How
wonderful it is, this waking! Is it you,
Martha ?"
Yes, dear. Thank God for bringing
you to me again"
1T is wonderful Elerey murmured.
Red blood is before my eyes still, and in
my ears shouting and grooming. We have
And so many are dead, Desmond. have
died for me. My heart Is heavy and full of
tears, only-only there is you, and you
are here. and, God forgive me, there is joy
In my soul because of this"
1t was strange, new thing for him to
see Martha weep.
And Frna. Frina gave her life for
mine, Desmond" she whispered
He did not speak, but his fingers closed
over hers, and they were both silent
They are looking for us in every corner
of the city, she said presently
How did you escape?" he asked
II hardly know. Stefan caught me up
and ran with me. l strove to free myself
IN vain. l pleaded, l threatened, but it
was of no use. l was a child in those great
arms of his. He brought me here, Lord
Cloverton was very kind"
Where is Stefan now2"
Here still. He Is going with u.s. Lord
Cloverton says that you will not go; but !
you will, Desmond. won't you? 1 want you
o take me away, anywhere, Desmond-any-
where away from Sturatzberg."
Il would not go, my darling, because you
were not with me. When you came In 1
was making up my mind to drop from the
window that l might look for you; but
now
My poor love. you are weak: how could
your
MY sword arm is whole still, though 1t l
is tired-very tired"
1T shall rest now she said, taking it
and pressing 1t to her breast. Desmond