Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-21

FOR an hour, two hours, three, the whole
afternoon, Ann, sick with pity, watched
him at his task. Like some piece of tireless
mechanism, knowing neither thirst nor hum
GER he toiled on. Never still, his laborious
figure ever came and went in the vapor that
had been at once their foe and friend. At
last evil smelling smoke issued from the Grip
pied motor and hoarse sounds provoked un-
canny responses from the primal rocks. Not
since the birth of the world had this chaos
given forth such outcries. To AIMS distem-
pered fancy they were as the voices of un-
clean spirits, the fends, the witches, the
vampires in which this strange people Rodo-
slav had thought to rule, still had faith.
What would be the quality of their mercy,
the men who believed such things? Fear
stalked a horrid specter in the now thinning
mist. The air was clearing rapidly. To
what espionage from beneath might they
not soon be exposed?
Then Rodoslav threw down his stained
gloves, and she ran to him.
"You' re done? We can go?"
"YeS," he said. at was the magnetic.
The stupid Swiss had overoiled it. The
armature was drenched with OIL I've
thought of device that might make such
mishaps impossible. l must talk it over
with an expert. Something may come of it."
She breathed more freely for his everyday
response. Work had restored his self COM
mand! He could think of other things than
the supreme disappointment! He was even
beginning to adjust himself to his altered
fortunes!
We'll start as soon as the sun sets, he
told her. THAT will bring us back in the
dusk. Of course sha'n't try to make the
castle; but the landing | have in mind is
near it. You'll find it only short walk.
Tell the others whatever seems best. 1t
doesn't matter now. If you can manage it
quietly, send me the Swiss. That's all, ex-
cept my gratitude. Somehow, can't put
that into words. It's real, though, my ally,
very real!"
don't let your future be merely Paris and the
boulevards!' she petitioned.
3I'n not, he promised. @That was cry
of pain. believe can be of use somewhere.
I'm not an idler at heart, you know. In
time, perhaps"
He stopped and peered into the western
heaven. Looping from side to side in wide
reconnaissance, winged shape bore toward
them through the twilight.
rs it a vulture1" asked Ann, and thought of
Saccarello. What symbol more fitting
could pass athwart their SKYE
Rodoslav let fall an ejaculation. 3It's an
other aeroplane!"
4Another!" She stared as if he had said
a hippogriff. @But it does not look like an
aeroplane, she insisted. @I've never seen
one like it."
ayes, you have" Rodoslav replied, with
a curious note in his voice. @You saw one
like it at Rheims, and saw it too. 1t be-
longed to Oliver Page. That's Page now.
He's searching for YOU"
Ann, curious girl, felt her strength ooze
out of her. at can't bel" she cried. you're
mistaken"
mo, I'm not mistaken. I saw his ma
chine at Rheims before he took it apart.
had another glimpse of it at Brescia He
was somewhere near the castle, that's plain.
They've sent him to look for you. 1t alters
things, his coming this way 1t makes
things more difficult for YOU"
1Don't think of me now"
Il must" he said, and took counsel with
himself a moment, watching the aeroplane's
sure advance. Then, rounding on her, Run
back up the cliff he directed peremptorily.
Signal him with your scarf! Go now!'
@But L"
aQuick!" he charged. 3Go while you can.
I'll make it clear to you in a moment. It's
your happiness I'm thinking of. Go, tell
you'll Signal as if your life depended on It'll"
She obeyed, and he feigned to busy him
IF