Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-16

voice. when the launch stopped. 55..--.-
The wet. shining deck. the -mutely re-
spectful figures waiting to receive them.
all blurred into insisniflcanee for Allard.
AS his foot touched the yacht pande-
monium broke loose in the prison. Out
over shouts and gong crashed the deafen-
ing roar of the huge whistle. rousing the
countryside for miles around.
the situation.
They know l am missing-and they
will think to search the yacht first"
They will not search it without my
A hand closed on Alard's arm; he was
guided swiftly down a tinted and gilded
companionway, across several rooms no
less brilliant, and finally halted in a
jewel-boX stateroom.
The clothes lie ready; get into them
as soon as possible and come back to me.
Lose no time. and toss the things you
wear into that chest" came the direc-
tions. Il dare send no one to aid you
Il understand" Allard answered. equal
had been Don John who had lent Con
Feodor a dinner dress: there would be
little difficulty in the substitution now.
The other man went out to the salon.
Touching bell on the table he gave his
outer garments to the attendant who ap-
peared.
II shall not dress for dinner he stated.
Let it be served here. now.
Your royal highness is obeyed-'
And my companion is a gentleman who
takes Danclas place; let the suite be ar
ranged for him"
Yes, your royal hishness.''
His royal highness sat down in an arm
chair his dark eyes more drowsily lus-
trous than usual as he listened to the din
shore. His Old-world beauty of fea-
ture was characterized very strongly by
the locked tranquility OF expression seen
in those who live constantly under the
observation OF others; he wore a mask
of repos;e not readily lifted.
1t was not long before Allard came out.
and closing the door behind him, stood
for moment regarding his host with an
expression that blended all thoughts in
it's passionate intensity. And prepared as
he was for the change, remembering as
he did the Don John of Palermo. the
other yet returned the gaze with startled
admiration and wonder. This gentleman.
who proclaimed his class in bearing.
its short. waving chestnut hair OF pa
trician fineness-how had he been con-
founded for one hour with the under
world? Who had found the stamp Of
face?
Monsieur" sald Allard taking a step
forward
Recalled, the host rose at once.
Pardon thousand times: l must re-
member you are the guest now and that
this is not Villa Giocosa. But I cannot
plag ncognito any more. I have told my
people that you come to take the place or
my late secretary, Dancla-the man of
whom you warned me-so you compre-
bend that 1t would never do for us not to
know each other. l am FeOdor Stanief.
Too aloof from recent European news,
too long separated in thought from his
former careless knowledge of such things.
the name awoke in Allard only vague
sense of familiarity.
IF you have SO much patience, or care
for the old days, I will tell you my story
whenever you choose. monsieur he an
swered, frankly and with dignity. Until
then. may I still give you the half truth
of Villa Giocosa and bear the name OF
John?''
The soft tinkle of china interrupted
them. Stanief had only time to reply
with his Unexpectedly brilliant smile, be-
fore the servant entered the salon.
Il shall have pleasure in claiming the
confidence, Monsieur john" he returned
cede what I hope. Mario. what Is that
uproar outsider" turning to the servant
your royal highness. 1t is not known.
The people on shore are much disturbed.
Apparently. II we were home. Mon
sieur John. I should call 1t a riot; but
here he shrugged his shoulders and
moved toward the table.
Allard followed. noting for the first time
the title given the othec. Interpreting his
glance. Stantef nodded intelligence as the
servant withdrew for an instant.
Yes; a mere formal.ty, but one 1t is
not safe to ignore in our delicate posi-
ton: To speak otherwise might draw At
tention."