The Washington times., 1911-07-10
CHAPTER VIII.
IN nanoarous Eround


ture into the trap with the papers aoou'
me? You give me scant credit hopln'
son." he replied.
"Tben YOU have told Shulhof. A
rather risky business, under the CIT
.:Simple, man." he answered soperly'
sit sail very simple. l. nave IWad LUna 'iTs tbe
brilliant device of thrusing the packet
beneath one corner OF the carpet II
Shulhof's room. Unless there is a gen
eral house-cleaning, l fancy 1t VIII rest
secure 1t may even be YOssible that
the little countess will be the one to
find it-later."
For several moments d! smoked indus
triously. Then broke the silence.
1T was clever to hide the papers In
the girls own house. We will return to
the city, but the
He interrupted.
(which reminds me that you had best
get some sleep. Whatever develops, II
is best you return in the morninS
there is McGregor to be looked after,
and some news obtained about our
'Engiishman. One of us should certainly
be near headquarters. 1 shall probably
remain here day longer; at least, un-
I'll I can have a talk with Shulhof."
1 took the hint, for l realized mat
some sleep was necessary, or my wits
must go wool-gathering. This time
slept soundly; SO soundly that Nor
gan was obliged TO knock more than
once before l awakened to full con-
seriousness.
The situation was not overcheerful at
the breakfast table. The countess
scarcely ate anything at all and oareIy
recognized her brothers presence. he
talked loudly, but 1t was PLAIN ne cla
NOT feel at ease. What he said referred
to the major.
A broken arm is not an overserious
injury, he explained, and already me
Eufferer was planning to return 10 the
city He declared that Morgan had
done all a regular surgeon could 90.
and it was folly to send for one. But
Morgan, for obvious reasons, urged Ihe
more skilled treatment, the understand
frrr being that he remain at the villa
until Won Holleun sent some one to
take his place.
To this plan the dragon mace no
objection was trying to decide
whether he had received instructions
when he solved the problem by an
nouncing that the countess proposed TO
accompany US, returning probably that
AS we were arising from the table,
she looked up suddenly. hesitated FOR
an instant, and addressed us in voice
in which impatience was easily discern
For what occurred last night, gentle
men, l proffer my apologies, because
It is through me you have been subject
ed 20 insult and indignity. You are
strangers in Brcscia, and came TO THIS
house by the merest chance, will not
denv that I am the subject Of per
secutiOn, which Is wholly undeserVed
mat il has been extended to YoH
while guests under my roof fills me
with shame and anger.
Won HolIeun bit his lip, for he plainly
did not relish the turn affairs were
only tapped the table impatientIy, and
showed back his chair. 1t was MorE'
who hastened to reply.
I'VE understand, madame, and the
matter need not worry you. What
regret is that there is no one to guard
you from similar humiliating situa-
deep flush spread over the dra-
soothed when the countess answered:
No, there is no one in all Brescia'
nor do I expect any one, TO inJure them-
selves in my behalf"
The result was that the fellow fell
into a sullen, childish silence, which
continued until we had completed our
tourney. Of the three-the countess,
he. and IL was probab bly, the only one
who enjoyed the ride through the Crisp
morning air.
1t was near the middle of the morn
ing when we reached the city. In the
square before the hotel we parted; the
girl with an invitation to again visit
the villa: Won Holleun with curt nod
and the brief remark that he might do
himself the honor of looking me up
later Unless I should find occasion
would forget the engagement.
The lounging room of the hotel, on
the farther side of which was the desk,
was well filled when l entered the room:
At once I became aware something OF
interest was occupying the attenton
of the crowd Nor was I kept long in
doubt as to what was taking place.
The center of the group was slen-
der man clad in tweeds, whose face was
flushed He was talking loudly. 1t was
the Englishman who had been taken
from the train and escorted across the
foothills by the dragons:
From the trend of his remarks, l
formed a fair idea of what had hap
pened to him during the last twenty
four hours. He had been escorted
straight to the city and placed IN
violent protestations availed nothing.
nor his threats that England would swal-
low BresCia in return for the Insult 10
British. subject. After being kept
iy under the eye Of a guard, he had
been dragged before an official,
searched, and questioned. At first. he
refused to answer anything, demanding
repeatedly that the British minister be
summoned. After consultation be-
tween the official and another barbarian
in uniform he was locked up once
more, again led into the presence of
new set Of officials. insuted, and ques-
1ionod. Then he saw that the matter
was gettinp serious, and cooled down
sufficiently to give an excellent account
of himself.
For lie third time p" was locked in
n room, but this time without soldier
present to keep an eye upon him. He was
Kept in confinement during the nigh
hnt early in the morning was taken
before the official who had at first eX-
amined him. It was explained with
the necessary apologies, that there had
been a mistake: but the officer 1nt1mat-
ed that It was his own misfortune that
he had answered to the name of Nor
gan. There was a noted eonspirator by
that name who had been due to cross
the frontier on the train on which he
was a passenger. The government was
anxious to nlace the fellow in custody,
and the leader of the dragons had act
ed according to his lights. Brescia apol
orized to England and the victim of
But the Briton's wrath was by
no means soothed. From his prison
ne made A bee-line to the official
quarters OF his minister.
and the latter had promised to take up
the affair.
So the man whose presence on the
train had permitted us to enter the
country unmolested had proved he was
not the Morgan the authorities were so
anxious to arrest. Naturally, the gov
ernment would not remain idle, and
spies were doubtless already at work.
Even the man who had sent the dis
match from Paris might have arrived in
Rrescfa: IL he saw Morgan, he could
scarcely fail to recognize him.
wanted to decide on the wisest
course to follow, so left the crowd and