The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1911-02-06

~ ~
/ he did not understand. Peter Rufus
Show pressed against his partners
arm. and their pace slackencd. He
ventNred. even. TO pause for mo-
mert. looking into the ballroom as
though in search OF some one. and he
/ had by no means the appearance of
A man likely to understand Hungarian.
Then. to Lady Mary's surprise. he
{ touched the Count Won Hern on the
shoulder and addressed him.
beg your pardon. SIR he said,
but fancy that we accidentally ex-
changed programs. a few minutes ago.
at the buffet. have lost mine and
picked up one which does not nelong
20 me. As we were standing side BY
& side. it is possibly yours"
believe not. sir" he answered,
with that pleasant smile which had
gone such long way toward winning
him the reputation OF being a good
fellow amongst a fairly large circle
of friends. II believe, at any rate"
4 he added. glancing at his program.
that this is my own. You mistake
+, me probably, for some one else"
i Peter Ruff, without saying word.
was actor enough to suggest that he
was unconvinced. The Count good
/ humoredly held out his program.
You shall see for yourself" he re-
marked. That Is not yours, is IL?
/ Besides. | have not been to the buffet
at all this evening"
Peter Run cast a swift glance down
/ the program which the Count had
handed him. Then no apologized pro-
fusely.
Il was mistaken" he admitted.
| am very sorry.
The Count bowed
1t is OF no consequence, SIR" he
said, and resumed his conversation.
/ Peter Run passed on with Lady
Mary. At safe distance, she glanced
at him inQuiringly
1t was his program l wanted to
see" Peter Run explained. :" 1t is as
| thought. He has had four dances
with the Countess"
Who is she?'" Lady Mary asked.
quickly.
The little dark lady with whom he
is talking now" Peter Run contin-
ued. He seems, too, to be going
early. He has no dances reserved after
the twelfth. We will go downstairs at
once, ii you please, must speak to
( your brother
Have you been able to think of
anything?" she asked, anxiously. rs
there any chance at all do you think?
" believe So Peter Run answered.
1T is most interesting. Don't be too
sangnine, though. The odds are
| against US, and the time Is very short.
! IN i, 1x3r - Al nfr{a h&1 xha~
to be trusted"
He Is an old servant
Will you lend him to me, " Peter
Run asked, and tell him that he is
to obey my instructions absolutely?
OF course" she answered. " You
are going away, them"
Peter Run nodded. He was little
sparing of words just then. The
thoughts were chasing one another
through his brain. He was listening.
too, for the sweep of dress behind.
Is there nothing I can do:" Lady
Mary begged, eagerly.
Peter RUIZ shook his head In the
distance he saw the Honorable Maurice
come quickly toward them. With a
firm imperceptihle gesture he waved
him aEsr.
Don't LET your brother speak tc
nc, he said. : We can't tell who is
behind. What time did you say tbs
8 Prime Minister was expected?
At two o'clock" Lady Mary said
anx.ously.
Peter Run glanced at his watch. Il
was already half an hour past mid.
night
Very we'll" he said. 81 will dc
what I can. II my theory is wrong
Il will be nothing. II I am right
well, there is a chance, anyhow. II
the meantime
In the meantime? she repeated
breathlessly.
Take your brother back to the ball
room Peter Ruff directed. Max
him dance-danee yourself. Don
give yourselves away by looking an1
ious. When the time is short-say a
4 quarter to twe-he can come dowl
here and wait for me
IL you don't come. she exclaimed
Then We shall have lost" Pete
RuH said. calmly. IL you don't Sc
me again tonight, you had better rea'
the newspapers carefully for the mex
few days
GU are gong W 40 SoiASenAh
danxerous. she protested.
There is danger In interfering a
all in such matter as this" he an
swered. /" but you must remember tina
1t is not only my profession-it is M
hobby. Remember, too" he added
with a smile, that | do not ofte
lose! 7"
For twenty minutes Peter Ruff sa
In the remote corner of Lady Mary
electric brougham drawn up at tb
other side OF the Square. and waited
At last he pressed a hutton. The
gIided OF. Before them was larg
closed motor-car. They started in dill
Geet chase.