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

with the Austrian; and would put forward
such indisputable plea that, whatever the
outcome for the Italian, her English friends
must recoil from her with indignation. And
there was worse in store. Fenshawe's gener-
osity might provide the means of returning to
Europe, but she would go back discredited,
mere adventures, while the publicity attached
to the yachts errand could hardly fail to bring
her name into fatal notoriety In word
social ruin stared her in the face, and the
prospect was SO unpleasing that her despalr1ng
glance turned more than once toward dress
ing case containing drugs whose labels spelled
oblivion
Then came the Arab, with news of Irene's
return and like any desperate gamester who
ventures the last shreds of a wasted capital on
some almost impossible chance. she deter
mined to fight Alfieri to the end
1t was not thing to be done in cold blood.
Unarmed men have saved their lives by boldly
attacking lions; but that is no argument in
favor of an unarmed man going out of his way
to search for the king of beasts And the meas
ure of Alfieri's hate was supplied by his daring
attempt to capture her. She Shuddered to
think of the result had he been successful: yet
she nerved herself now to outmaneuver him
Of course there were some slight elements in
her favor The blunder which had placed her
enemy at loggerheads with the authorities gave
her momentary advantage The mans lust
for vengeance might indeed sweep aside her
attack. but she must risk that.
Had Fate been kinder, Mrs Haxton was
cast in the mold that produces notable women.
She knew when to unite boldness with calcu-
lation: she would always elect to die fighting
rather than cover without a blow. and she
would never believe cause lost while there
was a man to be wheedled.
The Somai crew ferried her swiftly toward
the landing stage, and she babe Abdullah rem
der full account of the rescue
"You speak of boat, she commented, with
puzzled air. did you see the occupants?"
mo, madam. We heard some shouting by
Italians. That is all"
"A boat!" she said. deep in thought That
seems to suggest that was to be brought back
to the town. The hired carriage and the long
drive into the country were intended to throw
dust in the eyes of those who might endeavor
to find me
"Or to ship" suggested Abdullah. Had
they dhow in readiness? Perhaps by this
time they may have slipped away to sea under
Mrs. Haxton laughed: but her mirth had
not its wonted musical cadence No" she
said, that is not likely Grand Dtenl if only
it were! Now listen and do exactly l bid
you; Somewhere in Massawa. probably in one
named Giuseppe Alfieri You must inquire at
every cafe and boarding house on the main
street-there are not many You cannot mis-
take him. You met him once at Assuan, and
you may recall his apPearance,-he is tall and
He has long black hair and his eyes are large
and deeply set When you find him, you will
say that l wish to see him. He will be sur
prised, and talk big; but he will surely question
you Make no secret of the fact that you are
in my confidence Tell him / offer truce:
that | am in position to make terms He
may buster, and boast, perhaps, that am on
my knees. Well, admit it, and remind him
that where l fail. he at least has no chance of
success Do you understand? 1t is question
as between money and revenge. Alieri is
something of a fool If the bait is tempting
enough, he will swallow it, and not for the
first time"
Abdullah nodded with complete compre
hension of her underthought. The Italian had
been tricked once. 1t might be possible to
trick him again.
IF he agrees, madam, when is he to meet
your"
Tomorrow morning. at eleven o'clock, at
the hotel =
But this other affair has set the bazaar in
an uproar. One cannot carry off young English
ladies so easily. Monsieur Alferi may be a
prisoner
mo such lucki" said Mrs Haxton bitterly.
"You are not acquainted with the twists and
turns of events, Abdullah. That which was
simple at Assuan has become complex here.
Alferi has infamed the mind of some high
official at Rome. or he never could have per-
suaded the Governor to go to such lengths as
to arrest Fenshawe Effendi. not to speak of
Monsieur lie Baron No, this pig of a Governor
has Minister behind him He may threaten:
but Alfieri is safe
Nevertheless he may be hidden
"That will suit me equally well. Tut!
Abdullah, you are not so quick usual to-