The Washington times., 1911-07-19

, distance. should we find 1t necessary to
make a dash from the villa to the from
| tief.
The remainder of the way, over the
| hill and across the creek where the ma
| jor had met with his mishap. was COW
| cred without incident. ! noted, how
| ever, that this shorter road was >pa-
trolled by mounted men; so, had we
ventured alone. 1t would have been i'm
possible to pass. And, as we approach
ed the villa could see flash of color
among the trees; red, blue, and yellow
jackets. covering the backs Of Brescian
cavalrymen.
Our escort halted just within the gate.
ed the countess side, while young Won
Seidorf dropped back few PAGES. And
we five, the girl and governor in tho
van, rode up the broad drive to the
house.
1 noticed a cloud of smoke drifting
from the veranda, circling about the
head of a man who paced restlessly
back and forth, one arm supported by
sling, over which hung the empty sleeve
of yellow cavalry tunic. with great
pipe clenched between his teeth Ma9o5
Shulhof stopped abruptly and looked
down upon us. His eyes rested Tor an
instant upon the baron and the coun-
tess. then his gaze shifted to Morgan
and me, who rode Just behind young
Won Sedorf.
rugged face, and my heart began TO
beat violently. What II he should greet
US in the presence OF the governor anu
with the way to the gate guarded by
watchful cavalry?
Rnt INV fears were 70 short duration:
with a stiff gesture he saluted tne
baron. turned on his heel, and entered
the house A moment later door
slammed violently.
His accident has evidently soured the
temper of Major Shulhof. though the
message I ordered to be delivered TO
him, that he would be permitted the
honor Of standing up with you, should
my dear countess. that our old friend is
getting in his dotage."
The countess bit her lip. for the irony
in the speakers voice could not be mis-
taken. The governor, apparently In
excellent humor. dismounted, but II was
l who, happening to be nearest. helped
the girl alight. For an instant her hand
touched mine and felt something
slipped into my palm. With brief
acknowledgment of my assistance, she
passed up onto the veranda. thrust
my hand carelessly into my pocket and
dropped what 1 felt to be slip OF pa
per. The governor was speaking to
Morgan.
"A fine place. is 1t not. and one Of
the oldest country residences In Brescia.
The countess has doubtless gone TO sum-
mon one of her women who will see
that a room is prepared for you. In
the meantime. make yourselves at
home, gentlemen: from the gardens an
excellent view of the mountains can be
Obtained
1t was hint to amuse ourselves and
1 welcomed the suggestion. for the slip
of paper was burning in my pocket
Waiting until the baron, accompanied
by his son and an orderly. had entered
the house, I motioned toward a narrow
gravel path which seemed to lead some
where We walked slowly down II, and
presently found ourselves in an eXten-
sive garden some little distance from
the villa and at the end OF which stood
rural summer house. Several rods
away was a blue-coated Cavalryman
evidently a sentinel, but the vines about
the summer-house afforded sufficient
screen for my purpose.
Morgan seated himself and lighted
cigar, then looked at me with hall
humorous expression In his eyes.
You appear to have something on
your mind. Having crossed the Rubi-
side? can see you were never cut out
for an adventurer. my dear Robinson"
said he lightly.
For answer, I peeked through the
vines. satisfied myself the cavalryman
could not observe us. and fished the slip
of paper from my pocket.
Another secret paper? You appear to
have the knack of acquiring such ar
ticles," ventured my companion.
1 smoothed out the slip and read the
few lines quickly, then gave 1t to him.
For a moment we looked at each other
1.-The deuce" said Morgan. and pro-