The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-07-01

gravely. 81 do not understand"
That's where we are in the same
fix, doc" said Pike. with chuckle,
and bent over the machine again,
while Won Grollerhagen departed on
his mission.
While Pike worked he thought, and
the thoughts finally arrived at the
point where he saw that all he had
to do to save the girl he had come so
far to see was to sit tight on his re-
fusal. He had accurately 'gauged the
noble earl and his interesting son and
sister-in-law, and he knew that 1t was
a thousand to one that they would not
agree to a marriage If there was no
money In sight
They'll make more'n one bid for old
Simpsons money" he assured himself
and then looked up quickly, for the
leaves on the pergola were rustllng in
a way that no wind should have
caused.
AS he looked the figure Of a man ap-
peared over the top Of the vines and
a pale face looked into his with i'm
ploring eyes. Pike looked at him calm
ly and knew at once that this was the
man the carabinieri were pursuing.
Est ce que vous etes un homme de
bon occur? Je ne suis pas coupable!
caro- you a kind hearted man? am
not guiltyv') he began. when Pike cut
him off with a shake of the head.
There amt any use in the world
your talking to me like that" he said
mournfully, and the refugees eyes
cleaned with hope.
You are an Americana" he said.
making preparations to descend.
"They haven't made anything else
out Of me-" answered Daniel, and the
refugee climbed down and leaned
weakly against the car.
IF you give me up I shall not be
taken alive! I have no weapon, but I
shall find a way to cut my throatw
Are you the bandit they're looking
for?" asked Daniel. with interest.
'They call me that? How close are
theyT' asked the other. with sudden
fright. Pike looked at the gates and
heard clank Of sabers off on the road.
"Therev' he said and stripped Off his
blouse. ibid they see you climb that
WALTZ
II think not" murmured the man.
do you know anything about auto
mobilesr' asked Daniel, holding out
the coat.
"Not thing in the world" replied
the other despairingly.
"Then you're chauffeur, all right"
returned the lawyer, forcing the rough
garment on the man. "Here; climb In
under that machine, and don't you
dare unscrew anything. Pretend you
are fixing"
He pushed the refugee toward the
machine and saw him wriggle beneath
It. then heard Marianos agitated voice
calling in the hotel. An instant later
the maitre d'hotel rushed out to the en-
trance gates and threw them wide
open. revealing two carabinieri with
out. who Immediately entered. Then
ensued a conversation In italian that
was pure Sanskrit to Pike, who looked
on with calm interest. The command
ant or the f1le addressed the lawyer in
a long speech, to which Pike smiled
and waved cigar.
Wishing you many happy returns,
colonel" he said genially. and Mariana
FASTENED forward.
ut is the robber Of Russia. They
think be climb the wall, the assassin.
The Others. they surround all yonder.
These two. they search here. They ask
you please signore. have you seen him
climb the wall"
NO" replied Daniel shortly. turning
away.
'"They ask. then. has any one crossed
the lawn" went on the servant.
mo" replied Daniel, and as he spoke
one Of the men pointed his gun be-
meath the car at the figure in the long
blouse.
HE ask who that Is, signore," said
Mariana excitedly, also pointing.
THE new chauffeur for the machine
from Paris" answered Pike casually.
and. with bow, the two went off, one
to the right and the other to the left.
AS they disappeared Won Grollerhagen
came walking across the grass with
some white rags In his hands and an
amused smile upon his face.
"Is there new eruption of Vesu
vius?" he asked. waving the cloths.
Daniel met him and took the rags.
No" he said dryly. IT'S an eruption