Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-02


toward the fort.
THE Arab began his quest for Giuseppe Al
fieri. but found him not, for the most
convincing reason that Alferi was then seated
in the Governors library, smoking the Gov
ernors cigarettes, and drinking the Cover
nor's best Capri.
His Excellency had just returned from the
hotel. He too had deferred to the morning
tactful explanation that pressure of business
had prevented the despatch of Fenshawes
cabegrams that night But tact was not his
most obvious gift. Though he hoped to molify
the irate yacht owner with soft words. he did
not spare Alfieri now.
The madness of it," he cried "You say
it was mistake That is the plea of stupid
child. The affair would have been just as
awkward if you had carried off the Signora
Haxton She is British subject In two
days the newspapers of Europe would magnify
the incident into an international dispute, and,
with Abyssinia always ready to fan the
flame"
Believe me- Excellency. the Signora her
self would have written that she had gone away
of her own free will" broke in the other
/" l doubt it very much. Her friends could
not fail to think that she was writing under
compulsion. tell you,-idiot that you are =
you have prejudiced your own case: made
difficulties where they did not exist If your
sworn statements are true
They are true. true as death. vociferated
Alferi
"Ebbenei Why then. strengthen your en-
plaint'"
If only you knew what l have suffered
through that, woman, Excellencyi' came the
angry 0h cry blame the woman Of course said the
Governor. with the fine scorn of man who
has married meek wife Il lose patience
another to me. should dance at her wedding.
You would not dance if she had used all
the arts of treachery to rob you of your for
tune
Il fatter myself would resist the tricks
of any siren who was merely anxious to de-
Jude me But this is beside the question
These English suspect you of planning the
outrage Frankly. | cannot see my way to
meet the inquiry which must be made sooner
or later Perhaps the old man Fenshawe may
consent to tone down his messages tomorrow
If he refuses. and sails to Alden. the very cables
will fuse under the storm of remonstrance from
Rome l may be recalled That pig Festiano
will be appointed in my place The more
inclined to put faith in anything you have
said. How do l know that your Greek was
not an addle headed ass like YOURSELF Corpo
di Dioi His treasure of Saba may be piece
of moon madness akin to this tragi-comic plot
of yours .
II would have bent her to my will l could
make her 60 to this Austrian dog and tell him
begone I could force her to confess to the
Englishman that she had deceived him.
"Saettai l am out of temper with you,
growled the Governor lighting cigarette and
smoking furiously.
He was fond of plain speaking. this temporary
ruler of Eritrea The sudden death of Cover
nor appointed from Rome had given him his
chance He might be superseded at any mo-
ment by some carpetbagger with political in
fuence. and it went against the grain that the
private feuds of people whose quarrels did not
interest him in the least should be able to
wreck his career
Alferi came to him with good credentials
If the mans story was borne out by facts. not
only would italy receive handsome sum
from colony which hitherto had been drain
on her resources; but he. Marchetti, would
reap some share of the credit. not to mention
the bonus promised for his assistance His in
structions from headquarters were clear He
had acted within his rights in arresting Won
Kerber and OBTAINING Fenshawe until the latter
gave up an undertaking to land on Italian
territory without permission But Alieri's
passionate and i'll advised attempt to abduct
Mrs. Haxton had changed the whole aspect of
little man fumed and fretted in vain endeavor
to climb out of this unexpected pit!
Alfieri looked at his restless companion in
moody silence: but the practical minded Gov
ernor had intent to leave matters where
they stood.
!" 1t seems to me" he said. turning suddenly
on Alfieri.-"it seems to me that the best
thing we can do now is to arrange a
promise 1t is not too late. We must board
the Englishman's yacht early in the morn