The Washington times., 1911-07-02
CHAPTER II Continued.

the circumstances.
From the necessity OF the case he
could not communicate with his chill
dren, much less have them join him.
The first move in that direction must
have revealed his hiding-place to his
enemies. Even in the security of an
English village means might be found
10 murder him and secure the papers.
After months of anxiety, the secretary
Tisked his life by returning to Brescia
for the purpose of learning how Jared
the girl and boy. Cleverly disguised, he
accomplished his purpose and returned
TO England with the report that no dis
aster had befallen them, and that they
were living quietly with relative In a
country district not many miles from
the capital. Yet they were always un-
der surveillance, and the least careless
move must put the conspirators on the
track of their father.
At the end of four years the secre-
tary went again to BresCia. He found
Mat the boy and girl were no longer
army. They knew nothing Of the debt
the state owed their father; on the
contrary, they belieevd the latter had
fed to escape the consequences of a
crime, and that he was probably dead
And the secretary learned something
more. AS the end of the five years
was not far distant, the conspiratorS
were beginning to grow uneasy. Placed
in the hands of the proper persons, the
papers could be presented with strong
hope of being honOred. Germany, and
other powers, were not over-friendly to
Brescia. 1t was more than possible she
would be forced to meet her obligation
II indisputable proof was forthcoming.
The secretary, being person of un-
usual shrewdness. learned another
thing. As is usual under such Condi-
tions, the conspiratOrs were Quarrellng
among themselves. Two or three of
,Nsafnn nod
haSf a dozen, and among these, the
governor of BresCia.
Perhaps he was more cunning than
his fellows; at any rate, he had formu-
lated an excellent plan. If the state
must pay the debt at the end of the
five years, II must be to the Count Won
Holleun, or to his heirs-the youth Gus
tave, and the girl, Valerie. And his
scheme was simply that his son should
marry the daughter of the one-time
chancellor. Then, If the latter was
alive, he could scarcely seek 10 avenge
his wrongs on the head of his son-in-
laws father; but in case the count was
dead. and the state paid its debt to his
heirs, a good portion of the wealth
must come into his family. And the
secretary suspected the crafty governor
would see to 1t that the girl would be
In a position to lay claim to quite all
the property.
For the second time the secretary re-
turned to England, and few more
months slipped by. Then, suddenly, the
count was stricken by a fatal malady.
three months off. but he could hardly
hope to live until the time for the pre-
sentation of the papers. Again 1t was
the secretary who suggested desper-
ate means of solving the difficulty.
For the third time he journeyed to
Brescia: this time with the resolve to
see, and tell e erything to the young
Countess Won Holleun, who. In turn,
could lay the information before her
brother. The secretary had no great
faith in the judgment Of the young
soldier.
At the greatest risk he accomplished
his purpose. and to his satisfaction
learned that the girl had not yielded
to the opportunities of the governors
son. Yet she might have-fnally done
so, the pressure being great, had not
she learned in time the true condition o.
affairs.
Promising to act as he should later
advise her, the countess saw him depart.
He felt the victory was almost won; he
had thwarted the governors cherished
ulanS. and it but remained to walt for
a little time, and then strike the final
blow which must defeat the enemy
utterly.
Had the Count Won Holleun lived. even
for a few months longer. success must
have been certain. But the count died
suddenly-and the completion OF the five
years scarcely two weeks distant.
Elmur~ Ludolf, the secretary, buried
him quietly, and then turned to prepar-
alton for the dangerous and uncertain
task which remained. 1t was to place
at the disposal of the young countess
the papers which would bring her wealth
and confuse her fathers enemies.
It was impossible to communicate with
her by post or wire; the risk was too
great He must himself return to BreScia,
Iying the papee with him. and when
once there his actions must depend up
on circumstances.
1t required but a few days to settle
the affairs in England and then, going
to Dover, he took passage for Calais.
In Paris he would be able to take an
express for the south, from whence ne
might hurry eastward into the Balkans.
Elmur Ludolf. the secretary, was the |
man we found lying on the bed in No. ).
II was with difficulty he finished his
story; perhaps, even before he had
quite finished it, the paralysis seized his
tongue.
He landed at Calais without mishap,
but during the passage Of the Channel
a suspicion seized him that he was be-
ing followed and his every move taken
note of. On the train to Paris this sus-
picion became almost a certainty.
In only one way could he account for
II. During his last visit to Brescia, his
identity had been discovered and
shrewd spy put upon his track; either
that. or he had been recognized when
England. At any rate, some one was
keeping watch on him.
Arriving In Paris. he employed every
device his brain suggested to battle
possible enemy, and fancied he had
done So He had arrived in the French
capital the day before we had done so,
and, going to the little hotel, had re-
mained in seclusion for twenty-four
hours, deeming it the wisest course. He
had decided not to attempt to take the
express for the south, for the railway
station - would be watched closely;
rather ha would go north, through Bel
gium, and thence across Germany. 1t
would take longer, but was the wiser
plan.
on the same evening on which we
had arrived at the MOTEL he ventured out
for the first time since the previous aft |
ernoon. He remembered two things: |
he had left his brandy flask standing !
on the dresser, and had fastened the |
door and window carefully. He was alb |
sent scarcely more than an hour. re-
turning perhaps about eleven. He re-
changing the key tn the inside; the gas
in the room was not lighted and he had |
been in no hurry to get an illumination
in fact, he had lost his 1ox Of
but intended to go back to the
office and secure another.
But he was nervous and tired: and he |.
thought to take a drink of brandy. Feel
ing for the flask or the dresser, he un-
screwed the top and took a good swal-
low. For several moments nothing un-
usual occurred then suddenly his head |
began to ring strangely. PerpleXed that
q swallow of brandy should so affect |
him. he stood in the center of the room,
He felt himself swaying. a peculiar |
faelipo seemed TO he creSning throuRh