The Washington times., 1911-07-19
CHAPTER XIV (Continued.

10 1T was we rode out of the city,
to all appearances, we were total
4 j strangers when the baron in
troduced us to the countess.
How much the girl knew and what
Haupmann had told her we do not
know. At any rate she acted her
part well, for after a few formal
= words she rode forward, leaving us to
follow with the governor.
During the journey the latter was full
Of the project which had brought the
electrical expert from Berlin. He piled
Morgan with a thousand questions,
which the latter answered readily, or
cleverly dodged. 1t was a ride without
excitement or any sign that we were
treading upon a powder mine. But the
explosion was to come later on.
After while ceased to pay particu-
lar attention to the conversation be-
tween Morgan and the baron. They
were discussing the relative values of
the overhead and underground systems,
and found better amusement in study
Ing the members of our company.
There were a score of dragons, sew
eral officers of other branches of the
service. a half dozen sober-looking civil
tans, and these I judged to be secre-
taries or something of the sort: the
countess, and the younger Won Seldorf
The latter appeared to be perfectly
sober, but his face wore a sullen ex-
preston. l could fancy the interview
which must have taken place the night
before between hi mand his father; per-
haps with the documents in his posses
sion the baron might have permitted
his son to 90 on his way-even to take
up the challenge to fight with sabers.
But with the papers in other hands and
the day of settlement drawing near. he
was not the one to permit a possible
safeguard to be ruined by a drunken
deoauch, or the blow of sword.
| did not doubt he had sternly for
bidden his son to consider a duel posi-
BILE, or to drink, at least until after the
wedding. And doubtless the fellow
laid the lecture he ha dreceived against
the countess. He seldom glanced in
her direction; or, when he did so, there
was no sign of friendliness in his man
ner. The prospect before her was not
alluring. did the governor carry out his
plan.
Then, suddenly, a question put by
Morgan attracted my attention, and my
interest became centered upon him and
the baron.
And this road runs straight on TO the
frontier-on the north, your excel
lency?"
Perhaps a dozen miles farther, as
main highway, but a narrower road
leads up to the pass just beyond which
lies the Austrian line" answered the
And it would be possible to extend
our pne thereto the pass?" suggested
Morgan.
The baron glanced toward the range
Of mountains which appeared ahead of
US.
THE undertaking would be too great;
the grade is very steep in places, when
one gets upon the narrower road" said
he.
And how far to the frontier by the
shortest way, which, l fancy, must be
this one?" asked Morgan carelessly.
and pointe to y white cross rising from
a mound Trhaos half a mile ahead of
Us.
From that point TO the pass is a
fraction over twenty miles. and 1t is
the shortest way to the northern from
ter, unless one would care to make a
difficult climb on foot" he said.
Morgan shook his head. Il had hoped
20 persuade you to run the line across the
country from the capital to the Austrian
frontier, but the obstacles appear to be
too great" he answered, and there was
regret in his voice.
ITO the east, or south, It is possible,
but not in that direction" the baron re-
piled.
And ! knew Morgan had played one
Of his cards and won the trick. The
road leading on beyond the cross ahead
Of us. twenty miles to the mountain
pass, was the shortest way across the
frontier into Austria. And the Cross
! remembered. marked the point where
one turned from the main road into the
narrow way which led to the villa Of
the Countess Won Holleun. We had
learned the best course to take, and the