The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1910-02-02


Exceency, he said he handed it with very
deferental air.
Ralph watching the Major and for a
moment their eyes met. Each read the thought in
the others mind He is Baron Drasili himself
Ralphs thought while the otner knew that
his impersonation detected.
He opened the letter, glanced at it hurriedly,
started suddenly. and looked again at Ralph His
expression changed entirely. 1t was not eXultant,
suspicious. and full OF hostility. Ralph prepared
himself to face fresh crisis
You have been misleading me, Mr.. Anstabe,
Intentionally OF course, he said slowly, but with
sinister curl of the lip Mr. Ross"-he paused
suggestivey as he spoke the name-"is not at
birmingham. but in London at this moment"
MIR. Ross? Who is Mr.. Ross?" asked Ralph,
keeping up the pretence as long as practicable.
MIR. Stephen Ross-the angicised of
Stefano RosSi. Do you tell you do not know
him by that name?"
THE count is fool enough to take half dozen
different names for as many different intrgues.
Many do the thing at times said Ralph
with suggestive smile
He with you tonight in your chambers in
the Temple, and left them with you when you came
here" This said sternly.
II don't know why you such tone as that
to me, Major Torosto All this business is none
OF my affair. l haven't nail pairing OF interest
in the counts future, and | decline to recognize
your right to address me in such way Anyway,
I've put the thing in your hands, and you must do
you please, and with that he and turned
to leave the room.
sit down, if you please Mr. Anstable 1t is
time understood another
Il have nothing to say | bid you good
night
The major" struck table bell twice, and two
entered Immediately, closed the door behind
them and stood before it.
What is the meaning of this?" asked Ralph,
angrily
IF you will your seat will tell you.
AS Ralph went back his chair gesture sent
the of the
81 Major Torosto, Mr.. Anstable, but
Baron Drasili. The princes agent met with slight
accident his journey, and prevented from
completing it. | caused you come here in order
that you should help me in getting this Count Ste
fano into my hands. AS you know, this projected
marriage stands in the way OF my rightfu success
sion to the Prince OF Potenza, and do not intend
suffer that. Now, believing me to be the princes
agent. you Intentionally misled me with false i'll
formation Why?"
Ralph had had time to collect his thoughts and
had his ready. 81 should think your EX-
ceency my reason easily enough Colonel
Bishop declared to me that the attack was made
upon him by your agents, and warned me that |
could not be too cautious in satisfying myself of
the good faith of every | met in this matter.
l resolved, therefore, to test yours before l did
anything.
rs that the truth sir?' asked Draslli with
piercing look.
You go to the devil before III speak an
other syllable if you question my word" replied
Ralph, with great heat
81 tnlnk you have given enough cause.
"And have added the reason so that see my
self justified
Where is Count Stefano?"
you appear to know better than do said
Ralph drily
ut will not do you any good to fence with my
questions"
Nor you to put them. l shall give you in
formation
"You will bring the Countess Darla-Miss Bish
op-to this house.
Ralph laughed Shall II"
You will remain here until you do So sir
"Then she will be very old woman when you
see her. was the intentionally fippant reply Then
he changed and spoke earnestly. you said just
now we had better understand one another and
you've told frankly about yourself. I'll be
frank too When | came here had suspicion
that you were not Major Torosto, but not
quite so foolish to without taking pre-
cautions. My people know where | am, and they
have instructions where to look for and what
to do should my stay in this house be unduly
prolonged. and when those instructions
ried out the result will not be pleasant fc" you.