Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1908-12-03

/ There was battle" replied Dick
grinning. "and Mr. Armitage got in the
way of a bullet"
Her ride through the keen morning
air had flooded Shrley's cheek with
color She had been awake much Of
the night On returning from the bah
at the inn she found Dick still absent,
and when at 6 O'Clock he had not re
turned she called her father. and they
had set off together for the hills. to-
ward which the stableman reported
! Dick had ridden They had met Os-
| car just outside the Springs and had
returned to the hotel for Baron Won
Marhof Having performed her office
! as guide and satisfied herself that Dick
was safe. she felt her conscience eased
and could see no reason why she should
their council. Armitage saw her turn
to her horse, whose nose was exploring
her macintosh pockets, and he stepped
quickly toward her
You see, Miss Claiborne your broth
err is quite safe, but very much hope
| you will not run away There are
some things to be explained which 1t Is
only fair you should hear
wait. Shirley, and we win all 80
down together" said Judge Claiborne
reluctantly.
Baron Won Marriott. very handsome
and distinguished. but mud splashed,
| had tied his horse to a post in the
/ driveway and stood on the veranda
steps. his hat in his hand, staring,
look of bewilderment on his face. Ar
mitage. bareheaded, still in his riding
leggings. his trousers splashed with
mud, his left arm sleeveless and sup
! ported by a handkerchief swung from
his neck. shook hands with Judge Ciai
borne.
Baron Won Marhof, allow me to pre-
sent Mr. Armitage." said Dick and Ar
mitage walked to the steps and bowed
The ambassador did not offer his hand.
won't you please come in?" said
Armitage, smiling upon them. and
when they were seated he took his
stand BIZ the fireplace, hesitated mo-
ment. as though weighing his words
/ anu Degdu.
Baron Won Marriott, the events that
1 have led to this meeting have been
somewhat more than unusual-they are
unique And complications have arisen
which require prompt and wise action
For this reason am glad that we shall
have the benefit of Judge Claiborne's
advice
!
Judge Claiborne is the counsel of
our embassy said the ambassador
His gaze was fixed intently on Armi-
| tages face. and he hitched himself for
ward in his chair impatientIy. grasp
ing his crop nervously across his knees
You were anxious to find me. baron
| and may have seemed hard to catch
but believe we have been working at
cross purposes to serve the same in
terests."
The baron nodded
Yes; dare say" he remarked dryly
And some other gentlemen of not
quite your own standing have at the
same time been seeking me. 1t will
/ give me great pleasure to present one
Of them-one. believe. win be enough
Mr.. Claiborne. will you kindly allow
NJ Jules Chauvenet to stand in tho
| door for a moment? | want to ask
him a question
Shirley. sitting farthest from Arni
tage. folded her hands upon the long
| table and looked toward the door int
which her brother vanished. Then
/ Jules Chauvenet stood before them all.
and as his eyes met hers for a second
the color rose TO his face. and he broke
out angrily:
This is infamousl This is an out
ragei Bare Won Marhof. as an Aus
trian subject / appeal TO you for pro
lection from this manr
Monsieur you shall have all the
protection Baron Won Marhof cares TO
! give You. but first | wish to ask you a
! 0uestion-just one. You followed me
go America with the nxeu purpose
Of killing me- You sent Servian
assassin after me-a fellow with a
reputation for doing dirty work and
he tried to stick knife into me
on the deck of the King Edward.
shall not recite my subsequent expert
ences with him or with you and NJ
Durand. You announced at Captain
Claiborne's table at the Army and
Navy club in Washington that was
an impostor. and all the time, mon
sieur. you have really believed me to
be some one some one in particular"
| Armitage's eyes glittered, and bis
voice faltered with intensity as he ut
tered these last words. Then he thrust
his hand into his coat pocket stepped
back and concluded.
"Who am |, MONSIEUR
Chauyenet shifted uneasily from one
foot to the other under the gaze of the
five people who waited for his answer;
then he screamed shrilly:
lyon are the devil--an impostor, a
liar. a THEIR