New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-08-14

luuliN- NO persuasion would bring CEntf1a
back into the Du WALTON that evening.
He strove to appear at his ease, even es-
saved few words of congratulation on the
happy chance that brought the Mercury TO
their relief; but the inperious Young woman
cut short his inping phrases.
Oh. don't let Us waste these precious
minutes She protested. " 1t will be quite
dark soon. and If there is much more Of this
wretChed track"
MEDENHAM broke in at that Mrs De
vars change OF front had caused him
some grim amusement; but the discovery of
Narigny'S ar,iice reused his wrath again
II was high time that Cynthia should be en-
lightened. partly at least. as TO the true ma
ture OF the accident that had befallen her
He had already solved the riddle OF Smiths
disappearance.
" The road to Bristol lies behind YOU. Miss
Tanrenen." he said
One OF the roads cried the Frenchman.
" No, the only road, persisted AIeden-
ham. We return to II some two miles in
the rear Had YOU followed your present
path much farther, YOU could not possibly
have reached Bristol tonight"
" But there Is q village quite near. Ny
chauffeur has gone there for petrol. Some
one would have told US Of our mistake
There IS no petrol to be bought al Blag
don. which is 4 mere hamlet on the downs.
Anyhow, here are two gallons, ample for
your needs; but if your man IS walking to
Blagdon YOU will be compelled to wait till he
returns. Monsieur AIarigny.'
Though Medenham did not endeavor to
check the contemptuous note that crept into
his voice he certainly ought not to have Ut
tered those TWO concluding words Had he
~ -.
French language. he could scarcely have hit
upon another set OF syllables offering similar
difficulties TO the foreigner. 1t was quite
evident that his accurate pronunciation star
tied the aCcomplices. Each arrived at the
same conclusion: this man was no mere
chauffeur
Nevertheless, for the moment. NIarigny
concealed his uneasIness. By ! display Of
good humor he hoped to gloss over the pal
pable absurciIry OF his earlier statements to
CYNTHIA. 81 seem TO have bungled this
business very badly. he said aIrily. Please
don't be too hard on me. shall make
amends when | see YOU IN Bristol. An reT0r,
chores DANES, Tell them to keep me some
dinner I may not be 50 very far behind,
since YOU ladies will take sometime over
your toilet
Cynthia had suddenly grown dumb; 50
Mrs. Devar tried once more TO relax the
tension.
DO be careful. Count Edouard," she
cried. This piece Of road Is dreadfully
dangerous. and. when all IS said and done,
another halt-hour IS now OF no great con-
sequence.
If YOUR chauffeur has really gone to
Blagdon. he VIII not be back under an hour
a least. broke IN Medenham' dlsdalnlul
voice. Unless YOU wish 70 wreck your car.
YOU viii not attempt 70 follow HIM
With that he bent over the head lamps,
and their radiance fell Unexpectedly on
Narigny's scowling face. He was powerless
Though Cuivering with anger and baked
desire, he dared not provoke . scene IN
CYNTHIA 5 presence. and her continued silence
already warned him that She was bewildered
i not actually suspicious Heforced laugh
Explanations are like swamps." he SAID,
The farther YOU plunge into them the
deeper YOU sink. So, goodby. To please
YOU. Mrs. Devar. shall crawl. As for Miss
Eanrenen. I SEE that she does not care what
becomes Of ne.
Cynthia weakened Z little 1t that. Ger