The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-10-23

But I know-I know men, Mr.. King. The
baron has told you all about me?'' She
smiled sadly. Alas, he has only told
YOU what he knows. But it should be
sufficient. There is no place in my life
for you or anyone else. There never
can be. So, you see, you may not de-
velop your romance with me as the
foundation. Oh, I've heard OF your quest
of adventure. I like you for it. I had
an Imagination myself once on a time.
I loved the fairy books and the love
tales. But not nOw-not now. There is
no romance for me. Nothing but grave
reality. Do not question me. I can say
no more. Now I must be gone. II
have warned you. Do not come again.
Thanks for the warming" he said
quietly. But I expect TO come coca
sionally, just the same You've taken
the wrong tack by trying to frlghten me
of You see, Miss Platanova, I'm
actually looking for something danger
ous-if that's what you mean"
That isn't all. believe me" she
pleaded. You can gain nothing by
/ coming. You know who I am. can
not be a fTiend-not even an aCqUaint-
ance-to you, Mr.. King. Good-byi
Please do not come again
She slipped into the street and was
gone. King stood in the doorway. look
| ing after her, a puzzled CLEAN in his
eyes. Old Spantz was coming Up from
the rear. followed by his customer
Queer" thought the American.
She's changed her tactics rather sud
/ denly. Smiled a. me in the beginning,
and now cries a bit because I'm trying
70 return the compliment. Well by the
I Ilke-HellO, Mr.. Spantz. Good morn
I ing. I'm here for the sword
The old man glared at him in unmis-
taxable displeasure. Truxton began
counting out his money The customer,
a sWarthy fellow, passed out Of the
door turning to glance intently at the
young man. a meaning look and q sly
nod passed between him and Spantz.
/ Inc man halted at the corner below
and later on followed King TO Cook s
/ ONCE, afterward TO the castle gates.
/ outside Of which he wanted until his
quarry reappeared. Until King went 70
bed late that night this swarthy fel-
/ low was close at his heels, always keep
/ Ing well out Of sight himself
! III come In soon TO look at those
! rings said King, placing the notes on
/ the counter. Spantz merely nodded
/ raking in the bills without countfng
/ them, and passed the sword over to the
| purchaser
Very good. sir" he growled after
| a moment.
Il hate to carry this awful thine
! through the streets" said King, look
ing at the huge weapon with despairine
! eye Inwardly, he was cursing himself
] 1t belongs 10 you, my friend Take
II or leave It..
I'm take it," said Truxton, smillne
/ indulgently. With that he picked III
] the weapon and stalked away.
few minutes later he was on his
way 10 the castle grounds. accompanied
/ by the shOrt-legged Mr.. Hobbs. who
from time to time, was forced to re-
move his tight-ftttng cap 10 mop a hot
{ eXasperated brow, so swift was the
/ pace set by long legs. The broadsword
! reposed calmly on a desk under the
nose OF a properly impressed young per
son named Stokes. cashier
! Hobbs led him through the gTear
park gates and up to the lodge Of Jacob
| Fraascha, the venerable high steward
Of the grounds. Here. to Kings utter
] disgust he was booked as a plair
/ Cooks tourist and mechanically advised
to pay strict attention to the rules
which would be explained to him by the
Cooks tourist. ehY'' nnuttered Kine
wrathfully as they ambled down the
shady path together He looked witt
Idisparaging eve upon the plain little
IT'S no disgrace growled Hobbs
B | redder than ever. You're inside thu
grounds and you've got to obey tn,
{ rules, same as any tourist. Right thi
way. sir; ven take a turn Just insid,
/, the wall. Now on your left ladies an,
I-ahemi-I should Say-ahem sir VOl
may see the first turret ever built OF
% the walk. II is over four hundred YEAR
old. On the right. We have"
See here, Hobbs, said King. stop
: ping short, TN damned II I'll let yol
, lecture me as If I were a gang OF hay
! seeds from Oklahoma"
every good, sir. No ofense. I quite
Just ten NEEDN'T lecture"
For three-quarters Of an hour they
. wandered through the spaciou