Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-02
CHAPTER XVII.
An Arabian Night.


An Arabian Night.
! The emperor's congratulations and form
| al inquiries duly arrived. borne by a
/ glittering officer, who was 80 impressed
| by the GOODNESS of the message intrusted
! to him that he scarcely raised his eyes
during it's delivery. He had the misfor-
tune to be attached to the regent.
! But Stanief received all unmoved-
clear scarlet burned in his dark cheek,
his drowsy eyes glowed with some in
! ward fire. He had just left the grand
duchess and still carried traces of the
recent accident. but he smiled in utter
| tranquility as he listened. and gave his
reply. 1t was too unaccountable: actual
| ly dismayed ny the indifferent compos-
ure the officer retired. and found him
self stammering again when he repeated
| the answering message to the emperor
Adrian was at dinner. or rather had
| just concluded. when he found time 10
| receive the envoy: and he set down ms
glass to study this embarrassment in
courtie, of twenty years standing. He
was always cynically interested In snch
situations.
what else did the grand duke say
ne demanded.
Sire. nothing was said except that
which l have had the honor to report to
your imperial majesty
Nothing to you?'
Nothing. sire
nate equerry was conscious that ne was
not believed.
MY cousin appeared well?'' came the
inquiry.
IL am enchanted to hear it: he has
need of steady nerves. That will do.
He pushed away the glass and rose. his
glance encountering that of Aiiard near
him. -
You almost hate me tonight. Ailard?
he questioned, softly.
Allard in evening dress. the tiny Jew
eIed star OF honor flashing on his coat
was very different in appearance from
the smoke grimed gentleman OF noon
but his gray eyes met Adrian In the
same indignation with which they had
shOne from beneath the stains Of the ex-
plosion.
Almost sire" he acknowledged.
Staggered by the unexpected frankneSs.
Adrian nearly lost his self possession for
the first time in his seventeen years.
But he recovered Immediately.
with nonchalance. Just bring my CLOAK;
l want YOU to go with me.
Amazed at himself. -Allard obeyed, hui
miliatingiy aware that lie haa peeh
scarcely decorous and certainly unwise
Il beg your pardon. sire. ne sald. serl-
ously as he offered the cloak
Adrian surveyed him calmly.
Was il true he Gue.'i-d.
In spite of himself Ailard smiled
Almost sire he confessed
Truth is a virtue. at Yeast theoretical
w. and needs 10 apology. Moreover,
challenged YOU. Come.
And Allard followed.
II was IF course. impossible to ques-
ton the emperor but Allard's anxiety
nearly betrayed him into the indiscretion
as Adrian slipped on the cloak and leo
the way to small private salon. from
tod Wing a
street unob.erved. For. in common with
Peter the Great and Harun-ai-Rashid
Adrian occasionally INDUCED in ramDies
about his capital incognilo. and with
Aliard for sole companion. IL was
habit only a year old. OF which even the
omniscient Stanief was Ignorant. Inc
emperor had made IL a point or honor
with his con1dant to guard the secret
absolutely: and mary a bad hOuf hao Al
lard passed in consequence NO one sus-
pected tie true reason why the American
had bought a compact, exquisite Itdnah
automobile during the summer DeioFe,
or guessed the identity OF the sim young
chauffeur masked and wearing the USUAL
slapeless coat WHO drove the machine
through the streets AT dusk or later But
il was a current tsae for laughter In the
clubs that Monsieur Allard had been ar
rested four times for overSpeedinS MS
car and each time had paid his fine with
out a murmur. himself assuming the
blame and generating his chauneur.
Perhaps. being young himself. Anaro
also had enjoyed the variety ana sfgnt
,,sril of these excursions. But then the
city had lain quiet under the regents
strong hand. while now
For once ne was pleased to see Dal-
moroy who rose at their entrance into
the salon. At least his presence proved
that nothing wholly secret was INTENDED.
The carriage is ready, baron!' ADRIAN
asked, drawing on his gloves with MS
Ieisurely decision of movement.
t1@n
Very good. Are you ready. Ailard!
Sire. I did not understand
well. you have always coat here.
think
his waistcoat pocket Aliard silently
opened the wardrobe that held their APP
parei- for the motor trips. 1t was Adj
Rams affair. not his. II the proceeding
awakened Dalmorovs ever-active curl
osity.
However the baron's attention was
fixed on the master. not the man; ne was
watching Adrian with intent and CRAFTY
eagerness. He barely glanced at Aliard
when he came back ready to go out.
II also may have the honor OF accom-
panyine your imperial majesty? he
urged. ,.,
NO, Dalmorov Come. Allard."
But AlIard stood still.
"sfre. dare / ask where?" he said. with
firm respect.
ITO drive to the cathedral and observe
the preparations for next week. was the
dry explanation
Pardon me yet again, without escort?'
Yes" .
"Perhap Monsieur Allard disapproves,
suggested Daimofov, sarcasticaliy.
II do" Allard declared, taking a step
toward Adrian and throwing back his