The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1909-03-05


some hesitation in the choice of words
necessary to proceed with some.
what difficult task.
At this moment the door opened
and Charles Mistley entered the room
alone. In one comprehensive glance
he took in the situation, noting the
position of every person in the room
He closed the door and stood with his
back against it.
jacob half rose from his seat, and
then sunk back again with rather a
sickly smile. Ryan made no move
ment whatever, but his unhealthy
face assumed an ashen gray. The
maiden lady and the German sat gaz-
ing weakly at the stalwart intruder.
Noiselessly the Baroness rose from
her seat and crossed the room to
where Lena sat, and there she stood,
waiting.
Lena felt that the whole situation
was intensely funny from an observ-
er's point of view: but unfortunately
she was an actor in the comedy,
which sadly altered the matter. How
ever, Charles Mistley had too much
tact to treat the affair jocosely. He
looked gravely round him, and then
spoke in a deliberately authoritative
voice, which recalled to Lena's men,
ory half-forgotten remark of Law
renee Loves, to the effect that
Charlie was essentially a foul-weath-
er sailor.
'I am sorry" he said, "to disturb
matters; but l think Monsieur jacob
knows who I am. If he should re-
quire any explanation, he knows
where to find me-"
jacob shrugged his shoulders in
differently, while Ryan watched him
furtively.at
"Will you come with me now?"
continued Mistley, addressing Lena.
Nothing of a dramatic nature oc-
Cured. Lena rose from her seat, and
crossing the room. she stood beside
Charlie, experiencing sudden sense
of comfort and relief at the mere
contact of his sleeve, which touched
her shoulder.
"I do not know" said Charlie to
the assembled brotherhood, "and it is
none of my business to inquire who is
among you are dupes; but it may be
of some interest to you to learn that
that man there-Jacobi-is a COM
mon swindler. He is no more the
London chief of the Brotherhood of
Liberty than l am. Such a society
ton with the authorities at its head
quarters in Rotterdam. 1t has
transpired that jacob was once
clerk in their Office; and they are at
present somewhat anxious for his ad-
dress, with view to the recovery of
some funds which he, by mistake, re-
moved from their cash box and omit
ted to restore. 1t is only fair to you,
Monsieur jacob, to inform you that
in the course of my inquiries 1 am
afraid the Brotherhood must have
learned that you are in London"
Then he opened the door, and by
way of intimating to Lena to pass out
in front of him, he touched her arm
slightly. 1t was not his habit to do
this, as it is with some men. Not
even with his mother did he ever in
dulge in such harmless famaliarities
Lena noted the little touch, and some
how, to her, it said much that Charlie
never allowed to appear in his inter-
course with her. There was a sense
of protection, hint, as it were, of
brotherly affection and reliability in
this rare exhibition of feeling, slight
though the indication of it might be.
At the head of the stairs he stopped.
you will find Mr.. Lowe down
stairs" he said. 81 must go back
and see after the Baroness. Walk on
slowly toward Bedford place. 1 will
catch you up. My. mother expects us
all to afternoon tea"
He watched her descend the stairs,
and heard Laurance Lowe come for
ward to meet her.
Before they had gone far their
heard a quick footstep behind them,
and Chales Mistley came to Lena's
side. They were in Portland place,
and as he Joined them he beckoned to
the driver of hanson cab. There
seemed to be no question Of Lowe
getting into a cab with Lena. He
nodded, and as he beckoned to a
second driver, Charlie took his seat
at Lena's side.
The young sailor began his ex-
planation at once.
Lena" he said, 'only Lowe and
myself know of this, and it will be
better to keep the whole affair quiet
for some time yet. OF course, it is
not quite the right thing for you to
keep it secret from your mother; but.
later-later, perhaps-when Win is
home again, you can tell her all about
It,"
Lena turned slowly toward him.
She was leaning back in the cab,
while he sat forward with his gloVed
hands resting on the door. They
were passing down Oxford street, and
the smoothness of the pavement rem
dered it unnecessary for her to raise
her voice.
"When Win comes home!" she re-
peated, wonderingly. What has Win
to do with it,"
She-was fully convinced that what
ever he might know, he could nc
have guessed at her motive for join
ing the Brotherhood of Liberty. That,
at all events, was never to be dis
closed. But Charlie Mistley had pro
vided for this.
THE Baroness de Nantille," ne
said, lis Marie Bakovitch!"
She seemed to be slowly forcing
the realization of his words into her
own mind. At the first thought it
appeared to be an impossibility; but
as she looked back at her acquaint-
anceship with the Baroness, the thing