Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-04-06

about a yacht called the Erinna, be-
longing to a Mr.. Logothsti. Greek
gentleman who lives in PariS?"
Yes, sir" answered Capt. Brown,
for 1T was a 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, 81 have
an idea she's gone to Naples, but l
want you to find her right away wher-
ever she is, owner and party on board.
That's all, captain. If you happen to
see her anywhere. you just come and
tell me If I'm alone, and If I'm not, why
send one of your young men to say
thing you happen to think of, and I'll
come to your room and tell you what
70 do. See? That's all, and now let's
start, please"
IAN right, sir"
When the party assembled IN the
deck saloon for dinner, Lady Maud
was missing. Stemp, who did not
intend that his master should dine
without his personal attention, no mat
ter how much the chief steward might
object to his presence, approached Mr..
Van Torp and whispered something.
Lady Maud begged that the party
would sit down without her, and she
would join them In a moment.
So they took their places, and the
vacant one was on the owners right,
between him and the prima donna.
you see," said Mr.. Van Torp, ex-
planning to Mrs. Rushmore, which was
wholly unnecessary, I'VE are Ameri-
cans, and this ship is America, SO the
English guest goes first"
But Mrs. Rushmore knew these
things, for she was used to handling
lions in numbers; and the little lions
and the middle-sized ones are very
particular about their places at table,
but the great big ones do not care
zone dingle Sam" as Mr.. Van Torp
would have elegantly expressed their
Indifference. For he was a great big
lion himself.
did you ever meet Lady Maud?''
he inquired, speaking to Kralinsky.
Which Lady Maud?" asked the for
eigner In his rather oily voice. There
are several"
Countess Leven, who was Lady
Maud Foxwell," explained Mrs. Rush
more.
Kralinsky turned quietly to her, his
single eyeglass fixed and glittering
NO" he answered Il knew poor
Leven well. but 1 was never intro
duced to his wife. I have heard that
she is very beautiful"
You say you knew the late Count
Leven?" observed Mrs. Rushmore.
smile.
Intimately" answered Kralinsky
with perfect self-possession. I'VE were
in the same regiment in the Caucasus.
1 dare say you remember that he be
gan life as a cavalry officer and then
entered the diplomacy. Gifted man.
very" the Russian added IN thought
full tone, but no balance! 1t seems
to me that 1 have heard he did not
sreat his wife very we'll"
Mr.. Van Torp had met several very
profitable career, but he thought that
If the man before him was Leven him
self, as he seemed to be, he beat them
all for calm effrontery.
Were you ever told that you looked
like him?" asked Mr.. Van Torp care
lessly.
Even at this question Kralinsky
showed no embarrassment.
ITO tell the truth" he replied, Il re-
member that one or two in the regi-
ment saw a slight resemblance, and
we were of nearly the same height, |
should say. But when l last saw
Leven he did not wear a beard"
At this point Lady Maud came in
quietly and made directly for the va
cant place. The two men rose as soon
as she appeared, and she found her
self face to face with Kralinsky, with