Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-06-19


Dumbiy Pike wondered what fresh
argument the earl had to offer and
mentally steeled himself against it.
steady glare OF the earl
MY dear Pike" began the latter,
''there is a certain question:
II said would not discuss nat with
you. 1 meant what said,'' observed
Daniel quietly.
This is another question" went on
the other. Needless OF the warning or
at least unaffected by it,
Late this afternoon l developed
great anxiety concerning the penalty
prescribed by Italian law for those for
tunate and irnpulsive individuals who
connive at the escape or ccncealnient
ed by the police"
Daniel looked at him, with 4 smile
$50 you're all worked up about that,
are you?" Hawcastle glared at him.
but went on.
$50 deeply that 1 ascertain0d the
penalty for il. For the person whose
kind heart has so betrayed him the
penalty is two years in prison. and
Italian prisons, I am credibly informed,
unpleasant"
Pike ruminated and folded his letter.
Being in Jail amt much like an
Elks' carnival" he observed.
Even a citizen OF your admirable
country could not escape II his COM
plicity were proved-if he were caught
/ in the act. l will be plain with you"
These last words had an ominous
/ note. let US imagine that a badly
wanted man appeared upon the per-
COLA here and made an appeal to one
OF your countrymen who. FOR the pur-
poses OF argument. Is at work upon
this car. Say that the too amiable
American conceals the fugitive under
the automobile and afterward. with
the connivance OF n friend. deceives
the officers Of the law and shelters the
criminal. say. in a room OF that lower
suit there"
He looked about in the growing twi-
light and pointed dramatically to the
window. Pike, now thoroughly inter
ested and with his pulse beating a
rapid tattoo. followed his finger The
earl went on:
Imagine. for instance. that the shad-
ow which appears upon that curtain
were that OF the wanted man. Would
you not agree then 20 a r. asonable re-
quests"
Daniel swallowed painfully. for he
saw I'm some manner that that sway
ing window curtain which mad caught
hts eye an hour ago had held a dis
q menace. IL seemed too bad that
this should be the end OF it all-all the
defenses he had raised for the girl OF
his dead friend should be swept away
in an instant by a bit OF folly.
What would be the nature OF that
requestT' he asked.
1T would concern certain alliance
might concern a certain settlement
the earl replied softly.
III the request were refused. whal
would the consequences beT" Pike
went on. with lowered eyes. for he
would not trust himself 70 meet those
or the nobleman.
Two years at least in prison fol
the American"
Looks bad fOr-that American. ehT
Pike inquired whimsically.
Lord Hawcasue stepped close e
him.
III this fellow countryman OF your,
were assured that the law would b,
permitted 10 take its course II a favor
able answer 10 n certain question wer,
nOt received In an hour within thai
hotel. what. in your opinion, woulC
the answer bey'
Pike looked up from the letter h,
was twisting In his hands. and h!,
thin shoulders took on a squarer atti
tude. He looked his antagonist square
ly in the eye. but he did not raise tk,
tone OF his voice.
1t would depend a good deal OF
which OF my countrymen you caught
II it depended on the one l know bes
he'd tell you he'd see you in hade,
first"
For an instant the earl looked fixed
ly at Daniel, and his face went rec
and white by turns. There was a dan
gerous flash in his eyes. and he step
ped a tribe closer and half RAISED
his walking stick. Then. with "A NUT
tered oath. he dropped il. picked al
his hat from the bench where he haC
/
steps.
You have an hour" he said, menac
ingiy turning. AT the end OF tina
time-we will know what TO do"
Daniel must have stood there ter
: minutes after Hawcastle had gone
, and the twilight came down and envel
} oped him with its softness. AS tn,
: lights came out here and there he turn
ed and looked over at the windows o.
, Won Grollerhagen's suit and noted tn,
shadow still on the window blind.
Looks TO me like docs In this thin;
and ought 10 be told" he murmured.
| He found his way slowly across tn,
. grass and up the steps and In another
moment tapped upon the door OF tn,
Germans rooms. The door was opene(
, by Ribiere, who informed him tina
Won Grollerhagen was dressing. II,
found his friend adjusting his whit,
. cravat before a mirror.
Within Eve minutes be had acquaint