The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-03-27

oath, and fixed his piercing eyes on Reece's smiling face.
 ''I don't know you,'' he said. "How dare you address mel"
 Reece's hand frightened on the mans arm, and, still smiling, he whis- pered:
 'fThe mill on the moor"
 The Counts face became livid, his thick lids dropped over his eyes; he shook his head and shrugged his shoulders.
 "I don't understand you," he said haughtily. You are evidently mad, or have a desire to insult me. Re- lease me, or I will call the policei"
 Permit me- said Dexter Reece smoothly, as he, withdrew his hand and looked round at a couple of de- tectives who were standing at the en- trance. The man bit his lip and glanced about him uncertianly '1f you will allow me to accompany you, we will have a little chat on the way" said Dexter Reece.
 After moment, the Count, with another shrug of the shoulders and smile, as if he were good-naturedly humouring harmless lunatic, waved his hand towards the carriage. Dex- ter Reece, raising his hat, stepped in, the Count followed, the carriage drove off. There was silence, which Dex- ter Reece did not appear to be at all anxious to break; for he leant back amongst the morocco cushions mad wore an easy, indeed, smiling coun- tenance. The Count, out of the cor ner of his eyes, kept close watch on his companions; at last, he said:
 ''Well, sir? May ask you to ex- plain why you force yourself upon me in this manner?"
 Certainly" replied Reece ''I want ed to have little chat with you.'
 "Begin!" commanded the Count curtly. 6
 Pardon me-" said Reece. ''It is diff ficult to talk with comfort in a car-
 
 your villa Count"
 And, if refuse you an invita- tion, what them
 Then I shall keep a look out for the first policeman; and, when we come up to him, shall stop the car riage and give you in charge. But you will not be so inhospital-nor so foolish"
 There was a pregnant silence for a moment or two; then the Count said hoarsely:
 "You must possess plenty of cour- age. my friend"
 "On the contrary" responded Reece with smile. ''As a matter of fact I'm a bit of a coward; but, if I don't pos sess courage, have sufficient intelli- gence to be aware that you are far too clever to murder me in your own car riage. After all, there are limits to even your audacity'' '"That is true," assented the Count grimly. 'I invite you to my house" Thanks said Dexter Reece. "As we cannot talk, perhaps you will per- init me to smoke?" He handed his cigarette-case; and the Count, after moment, accepted a cigarette, gazing steadily across the light of the match into Dexter Reece's eyes. Reece met the gaze as steadily. In that exchange of fixed stare both men acknowledged that the duel ta- king place between them was to the en; they did not again look at each l other. The carriage sped on it's way; | the great gates were opened slowly; l they passed through, and stopped at | the entrance to the wonderful villa. Two servants in splendid livery were awaiting them; and the Count, lead ing the way, conducted his unwel- | come guest to a magnificent room on the first floor.
 Some wine!" he said to the ser want who turned up the electric light; 1 then he waved Dexter Reece to a | chair at a table in the centre of the | room. Be seated, sir!" he said, in the tone of a man who is repressing himself by the exercise of an iron | will
 There was silence until the footman | had placed the wine on the table and disappeared. The Count, slowly sink ing into chair opposite Reece's, filf- ed the glasses, and said with the same unnatural quietude, Now, sir, be good enough to proceed with your bus mess. You desire something at my 1 hands?''
 Tersely and admirably putt said l Dexter Reece. 'I want the Giant Ruby you stole from Thorden Hall.' Lemuel Raven did not spring to his feet, utter an exclamation, a single oath; but his long hands .clenched on the mosaic table, as if they were try ing to grip something, his face went white, his eyes shot fire Your demand is a modest one, sir" he said. "But we will waste no words. However, may be permitted to ask you what reason you have to Il SI1nnnSn that tho iau-al ;c ;-.