The Washington times., 1911-07-09
CHAPTER VII Continued.


to sound to tell me when he returned t
the house. for he must pass within
few feet of me in retracing his step
back over the drive.
1t is strange the freaks nature play
sometimes. Half an hour before knew
that sleep was utterly impossible; now
felt it creeping upon me with irresistible
force 1t was only with an effort could
keep my eyes open. The most delightful
thing in the world would have been tC
sit down at the foot Of that tree and
doze off into utter oblivion | remem.
bered l had not slept much the night be.
fore, and that to slumber was my due
] closed my eyes, opened them, began tC
lose consciousness. Then, as though q
flash of lightning had illumined cloud.
the darkness. For a moment it blinded
me- Then | came to my senses and
realized what was happening.
The light from a pair OF bulfs-eyC
lanterns lit up the drive, the rays bor'
ing like an auger through the darkness
In the focus of the light stood Morgan
and l was not surprised to see him
there. But what made me catch my
breath was the second figure. clearly
revealed Gy the powerful illumination
the little countess. clad in white, eX-
cept for the dark cloak which hung
from her shoulders and touched the
gravel OF the drive.
They were not tcgether-twenty feet
must have separated them, but the
piercing ravs from the lanterns reveal
cd each plainly. l could see Morgan
expression of dumfounded surprise; on
the face of tine countess anger and fear
struggled for mastery. And l knew
that her presence in the park was
totally unexpected TO Morgan; that he
had not dreamed she would leave her
bed that night
To- GhnnR
upon them; then a harsh voice came
out of the darkness.
Return to the house, madame we
have a little business with this gentle
man"
wave of anger banished the fear in
the girls face. AS for Morgan, l saw
him draw himself up and mis- hands
Clench SpasmOdically. rhe countess
turned toward the cruel glare, which
blinded her, and beyond which she
could see nothing.
Major Shulhof has awakened and
is suffering. knowing this gentleman
was walking in the park, l came to
find him. BY what right do you inter
fere?' she demanded coldly.
So that explained her presence at
such an hour. To me it seemed the
most natural thing in the world. The
light wavered a little. then became sta
a gruff laugh behind in the darkness.
The voice replied:
THE major will receive what is due
him. In the meantime, II madame is
wise, she will return to the house
"Ry what right She spoke brave
ly, but l could see her lips were tTen-
bling. Then the voice of Morgan in-
terposed.
Go back. madame; it is for me to
show them their mistake. l will be
with the major presently"
he spoke quietly, but IN a voice in
which command predominated. The
girl hesitated.
! GO back Morgan repeated, and the
shadow OF a smile touched his lips.
The countess looked into his face,
hesitated again, and then, with COM
preston Of the lips, caught up her cloak
and turned. The next moment she had
heard the sound of her retredting steps
upon the gravel of the drive. The faint
smile wa" playing again about Nor
gan's lips. He turned his head ard
looked straight into the steady glare
ol the lahtern; ~,
We'll, you desire something of me-"
he asked quietly.
A figure came out of the blackness
into tie light. He was a thick-set man,
who carried himself like a soldier, al
though he was clad in a close-titting
suit of some dark material. As he
did rot carry lantern, knew there
had beer at least three Of them lurk-
ing behind the trees.
Morgan looked the fellow full in the
face.
1T appears you have the advantage
at least, in numbers. As l am unfa-
miliar with the customs in vogue in
Brescia, l naturally took no precau-
lions to guard against highwaymen
while accepting the hospitality of one
of your CountryWomen. l have watch,
few trinkets, a little money, and ny
letter of credit-the last can scarcely
be Of service to you," said he coldly.
He was playing the game TO the limit.
] could see that, for the moment, the
fellow who had come ont of the dark
ness was at loss for a reply. Then
he shrugged his shoulders.
Your watch and your money are
safe. You should understand that" he
answered gruffly.
1t was Morgan's cue to DO the shrug-
ging.
that, q guest, perforce, of the Countess
Won Holleun, am held up in her Prl-
yate grounds by some gentlemen who
follow the occupation of hiding behind
tive I apologize" But from his tone
one could judge he was thinking of
ANYTHING but apologizing.
The man made an impatient gesture.
We are wasting words. I desire to
know for what purpose you arranged
TO meet the Countess Won Holleun
secretly?" he demanded sharply.
You might inquire Of the countess
although / do not mind telling you
not only arranged no meeting. but was
totally ignorant the lady intended leav-
ing her room tonight. She has said
she desired to find me in order that
might endeavor to relieve Major Shul-
hof's suffering. ] accept that assertion
as the truth, which ends the matter,
so far as the Countess Won Holleun IS
concerned Morgan replied quietly.
Hardly. my friend retorted the
man gruff1y IT must request you to
permit yourself to be nearched. And"
he added meaningly, las you have OBJ
served, we have the advantage OF
numbers"
Felt my heart descending into my
shoes. The game was lost at the very
beginning, and all through Morgan's
wretched careIessness. He carried the
fateful papers upon his persons, and
the fellow could not fail TO Uncover
them. 1t would end our business in
Brescia abruptly, or perhaps it might
go vet further, and the governor would
not let US off so easily: for II we had
brought the papers into Brescia we
tained. A dangerous knowledge to pos
sess at such time.
A wild idea flashed through my brain.
Could / not shout a warning to Nor
gan, dash fromI my hiding-place. knock
down the spy, and permit of our escape
during the momentarY confusion?
I think II I had seen the faintest ex-
preston of alarm on Morgan's face I
would have attempted the harebrained
scheme. But II was the shadowy smile
which, for the third time, fitted across
his lips. Somehow it quoted my panic,
and I recollected that nothing prevent