Gloucester County Democrat., 1909-07-08
CHAPTER XVII.
FAcE no FACE.

1t was Horace who first appreciated
the somberness of the crouching. ter
ror stricken woman upon the floor.
"Helener' he whispered, but Pike
stepped forward and waved him back.
You stand back!' said the lawyer.
''Shes his wife" And at the words
Horace fairly staggered. Daniel went
on. pointing to the cringing Hawcas-
tie, And there's his best friend"
The words seemed to rouse some of
the fighting st. Aubyn instinct in the
earl, and his eyes flashed.
Its lier' he cried hoarsely. IT new
er saw the man in all my life before"
'srhe lady seemed to recognize him."
said Pike grimly Il guess you won't
have to jab your memory too hard.
It's only ten years to st. Petersburg,
Mr.. Glenwood!"
"Almeric. go for the policer' ordered
the earl.
'No. nor cried the countess. 81
can't stand itr'
Pike laid his hand upon Ivanoff's
shoulder and spoke loudly:
"Call 'em in! We're ready!''
Almeric. with frightened glance
around. stepped to the doors and threw
them wide, calling as he reached the
passage:
"TelI that officer to bring his men
herev'
He turned and again entered the
room. and Pixies face lit up unpleas-
antly as he looked at him, then soften
ed as he turned to Ethel.
II want you always to remember
that consider it cheap at the price,"
be said.
There was a quick step without, and
Won GrolIerhagen entered, followed by
Ribiere For an instant he glanced
about the circle and then spoke in
clear. ringing voice.
'There will be no arrests tonight, my
friends" he said. and at the words
Hawcastle sneered openly.
"This man goes. toof' he declared
violently. '.Call those carabinieriy' he
reiterated to Almeric.
Won Grollerhagen smiled sweetly
and raised his hand deprecatingly.
'The officer is not there. You see,
the cara binieri have been withdrawn"
He turned to Daniel "For you, my
friend. / have relinquished my incog-
nito." Pike stared at him uncompro-
misingly, and the German turned to
Lord Hawcastle.
"This man Ivanoff," he said, sis in
my custody"
For moment the two men measur-
ed each other, and then Hawcastle
burst out violently:
BY whose authority? Do you know
you are speaking to the Earl of Haw-
CASTER"
Won GroIlerhagen smiled. Ribiere
stepped forward and addressed Haw-
castle directly.
More respect, sirr' he cried. "You
are addressing the Grand Duke vasili
of Russiav'
Hawcastie paled and fairly stagger-
ed into the arms Of his son, who
reeled from the shock. The others
stared uncomprehendingly, and Pike
looked up with a curious frightened
look upon his lean face Quite slowly
he moved to the table and rested q
hand upon it and with the other ca
ressed his chin. His eyes were look
ing straight ahead. and he murmured
in awestruck tones:
Good Lord! And think what-why,
I've been calling him-docy'
The grand duke perceived the agi-
tation on Pixies face and came for
ward to take his hand.
my friend" he said gently, at has
been refreshing" He spoke to Ribiere.
II shall take the man Ivanoff's state
ment in writing. Bring him to me
with you"
He turned on his heel quickly and
went of through the door on the other
side of the room that led to his private
chamber. When he had gone Ribiere
touched Ivanoff on the shoulder as a
signal, and the stricken man arose.
One glance he cast upon the guilty
woman, who shrank so shiveringly
into a corner as he gazed upon her.
and then said:
"F would not touch you-even to
ssrangle your and then to the thun-
derstruck Hawcastle he said:
God will let me pay my debt to the
Earl of Hawcastler'
In an instant he was gone. and Haw-
castle, pale with rage and anguish,
strobe forward to Pike, who was smil-
ing.
'sWhy, you the earl began. but
Daniel raised his hand. He spoke soft
~, even genially.
'Oh, hated to hand you this, my
lord" he said. Il didn't come over
here to make the fine flower of Europe
any more trouble than they've got.
But | had to show John Simpsons
daughter, and reckon now she amt
wanting any alliance with the rem
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