The state herald., 1910-02-25

ior IL WAS part OF MS business TO
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, II have
an idea she's gone to Naples, but l
want you to find her right away wher-
ever she is, owner and party ON board
That's all. captain. If you happen to
see her anywhere, you just come and
tell me II I'm alone, and If 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. I'VE 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" ms 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.
(which Lady Maud?" asked the for.
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 poor
Leven well. but / was never intro
duced TO his wife. | have heard that
she is very beautiful"
You say you knew the late Count
Leven?" observed Mrs. Rushmore.
with an encouraging and interrogatory
smile.
Intimately" answered Kralinsky
with perfect self-possession. I'VE were
In the same regiment In the Caucasus.
| dare say you remember that he be-
gan life as n cavalry officer and then
entered the diplomacy. Gifted man.
very" the Russian added In thought
ful tone. but no balance, II seems
to me that have heard he did not
treat his wife very we'll"
Mr.. Van Torp had met several very
cool characters In his interesting and
profitable career. but he thought that
II the man before him was Leven him.
self, as he seemed to be. he beat them
all for calm effrontery.
Were you ever told that you looked
like him?' asked Mr.. Van Torp care.
lcssly.
Even at this question Kralinsky
showed no embarrassment.
TO tell the TRUTH" he replied. Il re.
member that one or two In the rcgi.
ment saw n slight resemblance. and
we were OF nearly the same height. |,
should say. hut when last saw
Lcven he did not wear beard"
Al this point Lady Maud came In
quietly and made directly for the va.
cant place. The two men rose ms soon
as she appeared. and she found her.
self face to face with Kralinsky. with
the table between them. Their eyes
met. but Lady Maud could not detect
the slightest look OF recognition In his.
Van Torp introduced him. and also
watched his face narrowly. but there
was not the least change of expires.
sion. nor any quick glance OF surprise.
Yet Krnlinsky possibly did not know
that Lady Maud was on the yacht.
for he had not been told previously
that she was to be OF the party. and In
the short conversation which had pre-.
cedcd her appearance. no ono had
actually mentioned the fact She ho..
self had come TO dinner lnto with tho
express purpose OF presenting herself
before him suddenly. but she had TO
admit that the intended surprise did
not take place.
She was not nntonIahcd. however,
for she had more than once aocn her
husband placed In very dinieult rltu.
atlonr. from which he had generally
cAtricatcd himself by his amazing
power of conccaling tho truth. Being
scs,cd nearly opposite to him. II was
not easy To study his features wi,hou,