The Washington times., 1911-07-19
CHAPTER XIV.
The Ladder of Vines.

- ORGAN and l sat for a lone
M time on that rustic bench In
1" the summer-house. For me
the grand stretch of scenry
before us had lost its beauty. I could
think only of the fine trap into which
we mad fallen, and the inevitable con-
sequence. The whole country surround
ing the villa was patrolied by cavalry;
and. though we had ridden in the gov
ernor's party. ! did not deceive myself
with the, idea that we would be permit
ted to depart unmolested. 1t appeared
to be impossible to break through the
meshes II the net into which we had
walked with our eyes open; to attempt
to return to the city, much less to cut
1t for the frontier, seemed out of the
question. | could not refrain a re-
proachful glance, cast at my companion,
VINO was putting silently on his cigar.
IF you have got anything to say, say
1t and ease your mind. How the deuce
could you expect me to foresee this new
complication said he ,soberly.
have nothing to say, for 1 under
stand you are IN it as deep as / am.
we were smart and that fire would not
burn u.s." l answered bitterly.
A Hitting smile crossed his face. You
are al liberty to make a suggestion; let
us assume we are yet alive. 1t may
make you feel easier" said he.
I'VE might either build an air-ship, or
throw ourselves. on the baron's mercy;
|. for one, would accept meekly being
kicked across the frontier"
Folle est la brebis qui au loup Sc
confesse" il Isl French axiom which
we will be wise to bear in mind" he
answered.
A step sounded on the gravel walk. 1
turned hastily. my nerves tingling. As
Morgan had suggested. playing the ad-
venturer was not one of my roles. /,
who had been content to lounge in an
easy chair at the club. or take a quiet
canter of a morning in the park. And
now, following his lead, found myself
plunged in a desperate venture, sur
rounded by hostile soldiers, with the
old wolf of Brescia, a prison cell, and
firing squad looming In the back
ground. turned nervously. and saw
the entrance to the summer-house dark
ened by the figure of Captain Haup-
mann.
His uniform showed the effects Of the
ride over the dusty road from the city;
in one hand he held his hussar's busby.
while the other rested lightly upon the
hilt of his saber. For a moment he
regarded US in silence.
Il believe" said he soDerly, you have
received communication. the contents
OF which possibly have been disturb
ingT
I could not utter a word, but Nor
gan rose and tossed his cigar over the
railing.
so much So" replied he,' that our
good friend here has been putting in
a rather trying hour. 1t would appear
we have come up against hurdle OF
some height"
The captain tossed his busby unto
the seat, unsnapped belt and sabertache,
and produced a cigarette. His coolness
exasperated me, but he checked my ex-
clamation with a little gesture.
1T comes from my not being able to
explain more fully to the countess be-
fore you left the city. Fearing you were
walking into a trap and would be
caught like birds in a snare, she scrib-
bled the warning. 1t was, under the
circumstances. entirely unnecessary"
And why?' / demanded with uncon-
cealed eagerness.
A Continuation of This Story Will BE
Found in Tomorrow
Issue of The Times.