Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-05-20

reached MS ears. Eppings saw the
fugitive about to speed past him. For
| a second he hesitated. Then, unlim-
bering his long legs and throwing dis
erection to the winds, he hurled him.
self headlong across the road. wrap
| ped his long arms midway about the
frock coat, and, amid a cloud of dust,
| captor and captive came desperately
| to earth.
! AS such things go It was rather a
stirring finish-for it was all over.
"As fine a tackle as 1 ever saw
made" declared the Cherub. "Ep-
| pings, you're a winner. But how did
| it all happen? How did he get out?"
The Countess Vecchi, who, with the
| help of Mrs. Timmins, had separated
| Mr.. Hewington from the calf, came
up just in time to hear this question
| asked.
81 think 1 can best answer Mr.. De
vine," said she, with just a suspicion
of sarcasm in her tone. at was who
released this gentleman from the%ice-
house. Timmins, will you please step
one side?''
But, miss, 'e's such az
"Timminsr' reproved the countess.
you want to let him go, do you,
countess? 2" queried the Cherub.
81 do.'
"Then scoot.'' and Cherub Devine
pointed a chubby thumb over his
shoulder.
Thanks" said the ex-prisoner, and,
with faint grimace in the very face
- -
Not until he had disappeared around
the first curve Of the driveway was
word spoken. Then Cherub Devine.
who had been regarding the averted
face of the countess with whimsical!
look in his blue eyes. broke the spell.
81 suppose" he began, you wonder
why we had him shut up in''-
81 understand perfectly" said the
countess. He told me all about it
himself"
ooh. then you had a talk with him,
eh?"
81 did, The countess was looking
steadily at him, and she paused as If
to invite criticism of her action.
The Cherub shrugged his shoulders.
He was beginning to realize that some
thing more than the mere escape of
this Count Vecchi had occurred.
Could there have been a reconcilia-
ton? The Cherub could not credit
that.
"I expect ne didn't tell you. though.
just why 1 got so interested in him,
did hep and Mr.. Devine favored the
countess with one OF those instanta-
neous winks of his by which he was
wont to express mirthful audacity.
"He made everything quite clear,
Mr. Devine." said the countess, with
significant emphasis. "And, while i
can hardly approve of your motives.
I can wish you every success in your
new enterprise. Only please do not
use our icehouse as a prison again."
and she walked away.
"WhewI Now 1 ought to be good.
guessrf exclaimed the bewildered Cher
ub.
AS he gazed about the little group OF
mystihed persons he saw Mr.. Hew-
ington. still somewhat dazed and a
good deal rumpled as to appearance
from his recent experience with the
calf. The Cherub led Mr. Hewington
down the driveway toward the wait
ing car and observed casually.
wen, our count rs loose again
sour count, sirI Why, what do you
mean?"
''Now. see here, Hewington. don't
you go to being mysterious. I'm twist
ed up enough as it is. You saw Count
Vecchi walk off just now, didn't you"
"Count Vecchii Where? WhenT'
ooh, conner said the Cherub. Didn't
you help chase him all over the lotF'
"Afy dear sir, that person was not
Count Vecchi''
"wha-a-ati Say, let's have that
again, will you? Wasn't the count
did you sayr'
Most certainly not. sir. I will adj
NIT that at first supposed it was the
count. but no sooner had he been cap
tured than 1 perceived that some one
had made a most stupid blunder."
'But he said he was the count-told
me so himself" insisted the Cherub.
my dear Mr.. Devine," and Mr..
Hewington assumed his most dignified
attitude. IF you doubt that l cannot
recognize the man Who
There, therei I'll take your word
for it. You say he isn't the count, do
your
Positively. sir. he is not the count!'
.'Then who the devil is he?" ex-
nlRdaA TIA Chexuh