The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1910-09-06
THE FATAL
[A|[IlI[H III |.
BY CHARLES GARVICE.
Copyright. 1909. by George II. Doran
Company.)
CHAPTER XIV.
Greek Meets Greek.

An hour after Ronald and Smith
ers had started for the yacht, the
Count emerged from the Casino He
had won a large amount; his thin,
mobile lips were twisted with a
cynical smile of satisfaction, there
WAS even faint flush on his pallid
face, and, as the footman opened
the carriage door for him. the Count
flung, perhaps for luck, a gold coin
to one of the Casino servants who
had attended him.
He was about to dive into the car
riage, when Dexter Reece stepped
forward, with a casual air, and
touched him on the arm.
Excuse me, Count" he said bland
ly.
The Count started, muttered an
oath, and fixed his piercing eyes on
Reece's smiling face.
Il don't know you" he said. How
dare you address me-
Reece's hand tightened on the
mans arm, and, still smiling, he
whispered:
The mill on the moor"
The Counts face became livid, his
thick lids dropped over Ihis eyes;
he shook his head and shrugged his
shoulders.
Il don't understand you," he said
haughtily You are evidently mad,
or have a desire to insult me. Re
lease me, or / will call the police"
Permit me-" said Dexter Reece
smoothly. as he withdrew his hand
and looked round at a couple of de
tectives who We're standing at the
entrance. The man bit his lip and
| glanced about him uncertainty. IF
you will allow me to accompany you,
we will have a little chat on the
way said Dexter Reece.
After a moment, the Count, with
another shrug of the shoulders and
smile, as if he were good-naturedly
humoring harmless lunatic, waved
his hand towards the carriage. Dex-
ter Reece, raising his hat, stepped
in, the Count followed the carriage
drove off. There was silence, which
Dexter Reece did not appear to be
at all anxious to break. for he
leaned back amongst the morocco
cushions and wore an easy. indeed, a
smiling countenance. The Count, out
of the corner of his eyes, kept
| close watch on his comptnion; at
last, he said:
We'll, sir? May / ask you to eX-
plain why you force yourself upon
me in this manner"
Certainly" replied Reece. 81 want
ed to have little chat with you"
Begin" commanded the Count
curtly.
Pardon me-" said Reece. 1T is
difficult to talk with comfort in a
carriage. We will wait until We get
to your villa, Count"
and, If l refuse you an invita-
ton, what them"
Then l shall keep a look out for
the first policeman. and, when we
come up to him, | shall stop tnp
carriage and give you in charge.
But you will not be so inhospitable-
nor so foolish
There was a pregnant silence for
a moment or two; then the Count
said hoarsely:
"You must possess plenty of cour-
age, my friend"
''On the contrary" responded
Reece with a smile "As a mater
Of fact, I'm a bit of a coward;
but if I don't possess courage. |.
have sufficient intelligence to be
aware that you are far too clever
to murder me in your own carriage.
After all. there are limits to even
your audacity'
That Is true, asSented the Count
grimly' Il invite you TO my house
Thanks said Dexter Reece. AS
we cannot talk, perhaps you will
permit me TO smoke?"
He handed his cigarette-case; and
the Count, after moment. accep.ed
cigarette. gazing steadily across
the light of the match into Dexter
Reece's eyes. Reece met the gaze
as seadily. In that exchange of
fixed stare both men acknowledged