The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1910-02-10


most impatient frown on his face.
Spantz's black eyes shot from one to
the other What do you want:" he
demanded sharply.
THE broadsword And, say, Mr..
Spantz, you might assume q different
tone in addressing me. I'm a Gus
toner, not beggar.'
The girl left the window and walked
slowly to the rear Of the shop, passing
through the narrow door, without SO
much as glance at King or the old
man. Spantz was silent until she was
gone.
You want the broadsword, eh:" he
asked, moderating his tone considera-
bly,. It's a rare old
'I'n give you a hundred dOllars-not
another cent interrupted King, not
yet over his resentment. There fol-
lowed long and irritating argument,
at the conclusion Of which Mr.. King
became the possessor Of the weapon at
bis own price.
"I'n come in again." he said indiffer-
entity.
But you are leaving tomorrow, sir"
'I've changed my mind"
Then you have discovered some
thing in Edelweiss to attract you?"
grinned the old armorer.
II dare say you're right. Clean that
sword up bit for me, and III drop
in tomorrow and get it. Here's 60
gavvos to bind the bargain-the rest
on delivery. Good day, Mr.. Spantz."
Good day, Mr.. King
How do you happen to know my
name?"
Spantz put his hand over his heart
and delivered himself Of most i'm.
pressiye bow. when SO distinguished
a visitor comes to our little city" he
said, I'VE lose no time In discovering
his name. 1t is a part of our trade,
sir, believe me-"
I'm not so sure that l do believe
he sauntered up the street toward the
hotel.
Mr.. Hobbs, from Cooks, was at his
elbow, his eyes glistening with eager
ness.
Il say, old Dangloss is waiting for
you at the Regengetz, sir. Wots up:
WOt you been up to, SIR"
up to-up to, Hobbs:''
"My word, sir, you must have been
or he wouldn't be there to see YOU"
who is DanglossF'
minister of police. Haven't I told
you? He's a keen one, too. take my
word for it. l heard him ask for YOU
He lost no time in getting to the no.
tel. A we'll remembered, fierce look
ing little man in white linen suit was
waiting for him on the great piazza.
Baron Jasto DanglOss was Il polite
man, but not to the point Of procras-
tination He advanced to meet the
puzzled American. smiling amiably and
swirling his imposing mustache with
neatly gloved fingers.
Il have called, Mr. King, to have a
little chat with YOU" he said abrupt
ly. He enjoyed the look Of surprise
on the young mans face. Wont you
join me at this table? a julep will
not be bad. ehf' King sat down op-
posite to him at one Of the piazza ia
bles in the shade Of the great trailing
vines A waiter took the order and
departed.
"Now. to come to the point" began
the baron. You expected to leave to-
morrow. Why are you staying over:'
Baron, l leave that to your own dis
tinguished powers Of deduction" said
TruXton gently. He took a long pull
at the straw, watching the others face
as he did so. The baron smiled.
You have found the young lady in
the gunshop to be very attractive" OBJ
served the baron. Where have you
known her before?'
Il beg pardon?"
ut is not unusual for a young man
in search of adventure to follow the
lady Of his choice from place to place.
She came but recently, l recall"
You think l knew her before and
followed her to Edelweiss:"
Il am not quite sure whether you
have been in Warsaw lately. There
is gap IN your movements that /
can't account for"
King became serious at once. He
saw that it was best to be frank with
this keen old man.
Baron Dangloss, l don't know just
what you are driving at, but I'll set
you straight. SO far as I'm concerned.
I never saw that girl until the day be
fore yesterday. l never spoke to her
until today"
she smiled on you quite familiar
~ from her window easement yester-
day said Dangloss coolly.
she laughed at me. to be perfectly
candid But what's all this about"
Dangloss leaned forward and smiled
sourly.
Take my advice-do not play with
fire. be said enigmaticaIly.
'You-you mean she's q dangerous
person? l cant believe that, baron
She has dangerous friends out IL
the world. She is Olga Platanova.
Her mother was married in this city
twenty-five years ago 10 Professor Pa
tanoya Of Warsaw. The professor was
executed last year for conspiracy. He
was one Of the leaders Of 4 great rev
dictionary movement in Poland. They
were virtually anarchists. as YOU have
come to place them in America. TlIS
girl Olga was his secretary. His death
almost killed her But that is not ali.
She had a sweetheart up to fifteen
months ago He was PRINCE Of the