Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1910-02-24
CHAPTER XIll.-Continued.

She had already come to the cOnclu-
sion that if Kralinsky was really Lev
en-, the latter had seized the oppOrtu-
nifty offered him by his own supposed
death to disappear from St. Peters
burg, and had taken another name.
Leven had been a ruined man when
he had tried to divorce her; when he
died, or disappeared, he left nothing
but debts, which were eXtinguished
with him, for no one attempted to
make his widow responsible for them,
since there was no estate and she had
no fortune beyond the allowance her
father made her Lord CreedmOre was
far from being rich peer, too, and
what he gave her was not much, al
though it would more than suffice for
her simple wants, now that she in
tended to live with him again.
But if Leven had not been killed and
had turned into Kralinsky, he now
had plenty of ready money, though
it was not easy to guess how he had
obtained possession of a quantity of
valuable Asiatic rubies within the few
weeks that had elapsed between his
supposed destruction by the bomb and
the date Of Van Torps transaction
with him in New York. That was
mystery SO was his possible acquaint-
ance, or connection, with the eastern
girl who was looking for him, if there
was a shadow of truth in LOgOtheti's
story Lady Maud did not believe
there was, and she felt morally sure
that the tale had evolved itself out of
the Greeks fertile brain, as a fantas-
tic explanation of his atrocious con-
duct
While she was thinking over these
matters and rehearsing in her
thoughts the scene that was before
her. she saw a gOndola making
straight for the yacht across the fast
fading green of the lagoon that lay
between the vessel and the Piazzetta.
1t came nearer, and she drew back
from the rail against her cabin door,
under the shadow of the promenade
deck. which extended over the gang
way and was supported by stanchions,
Lass, with her single yellow funnel,
her one short signal mast, her turret-
shaped wheel-house, and her generally
business-like appearance, looked more
like a cross between fast modern
cruiser and an ocean greyhound"
than like a private yacht. She even
had a couple of quick-firing guns
mounted just above her rail.
Lady Maud looked at the gondola,
and as 1t came still nearer, she saw
that it brought only one passenger,
and that he had a fair beard. She
quietly opened her cabin door, and
went in to dress for dinner
Meanwhile Mr.. Van Torp had com
pleted his toilet. and sent for the cap
tain.
Il suppose you're ready at any mo-
ment, captain?" inquired the million
aire
Yes, sir The pilot is on board.
and the gentleman you expected is
just coming alongside"
Then you can start now" said the
owner, after moments thought.
Where are we bound, sir?''
"Oh. we'll, | don't know. [ wanted
30 say a few words about that, cap
tain. Do you happen to know anything
about a yacht called the Erinna, be-
longing to a Nh. Logotheti, a Greek
gentleman who lives in Paris?"
Yes, sir" answered Capt Brown,
for it was part of his business to
read the yachting news. "She was at
Cowes when we sailed. She was re-
ported the other day from Gibraltar as
: having entered the Mediterranean aft
er taking fresh provisions, owner and
party on board. There is no further
word of her"
Well" said Mr. Van Torp, Il have
an idea she's gone to Naples, but
want you to find her right away wher
ever she is, owner and party on board
That's all, captain. If you happen tc