The searchlight., 1910-03-18

l0r IL was z. part Ol HIS busiuSss ~
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. Il have
an idea she's gone to Naples. but |
want you TO find her right away wher-
ever she Is. owner and party on board.
That's all, captain. II you happen to
see her anywhere, you just come and
tell me II I'm alone. and II I'm not, why
send one of your young men to say
you want to know something-any-
thing you happen to think of. and I'll
come to your room and tell you what
to do. See? That's all. and now let's
start. please.
"All 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 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. we 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
'one 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.
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 pool
Leyen well, but l was never intro
duced to his wife. l have heard tha
she is very beautiful"
You say you knew the late Coun
Leyen?" observed Mrs. Rushmore
with an encouraging and interrogation,
smile.
Intimately" answered kraiinsk'
with perfect self-possession. I'VE wer
in the same regiment In the Caucasus
dare say you remember that he bs
gan life as a cavalry officer and the
entered the diplomacy. Gifted mar
very" the Russian added In though
full tone. but no balance! 1t seem
to me that / have heard he did nc
treat his wife very we'll"
Mr.. Van Torp had met several yer
cool characters In his interesting an
profitable career. but he thought thf
II the man before him was Leyen hin
self, as he seemed to be, he beat theI
all for calm effrontery.
Were you ever told that you locke
; like him?" asked MIR. Van Torp car
Q lessly.
e Even at this question Kralinsl
showed no embarrassment.
ITO tell the TRUTH" he replied. Il T
J. member that one or two In the res
ment saw a slight resemblance. al
Q We were of nearly the same height.
r should say. But when ! last sa
q Leven he did not wear beard"
= At this point Lady Maud came
u quietly and made directly for the '
y cant place. The two men rose as SO.
L. as she appeared. and she found hs
N self face to face with Kralinsky. wi
= the table between them. Their ey
10 met, but Lady Maud could not dete
= the slightest look of recognition In b
s. Van Torp introduced him. and al
&c watched his face narrowly. but the
H. was not the least change of exprs
u sion, nor any quick glance of surpri.
" Yet Kralinsky possibly did not kns
re that Lady Maud was on the yael
~ for he had not been told previous
that she was to be of the party, and
III the short conversation which had p
Is ceded her appearance. no one b
actually mentioned the fact. She h
a. self had come to dinner late with I
w express purpose Of presenting hers
II. before him suddenly. but she had
ne admit that the intended surprise 4
10 not take place.
She was not astonished. howey
NJ for she had more than once seen b
p husband placed in very difficult 81
ations. from which he had genera
10 extricated himself by his amazi
N power of concealing the truth. Bel
seated nearly opposite to him. 1t v
ID. not easy to study his features withs
Is seeming either to stare at him rud,
or to be bestowing more attention