Arizona republican., 1911-01-27
THE ADVENTURES 0F
 MIR. PETER RUFF By E. Phillips Oppenheim-The Little Lady from Servia. (COpywright, 1909, by the Pearson Pub
 fishing Co.)
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 put out my things and go at seven o'clock"
 You must tell me the nature of the contents of the packet" Peter Ruff de- clared. Don't hesitate. You must do it. Remember the alternative"
 The young man did hesitate for sev- eral moments. but glance into his sisters appealing face decided him.
 It was our official reply to a secret communication from Russia respecting "a certain matter in the Balkans"
 Peter Ruff nodded.
 Where is Count Won Hern?" he asked, abruptly.
 Inside. dancing" the Honorable Maurice answered.
 Sc must use a telephone at once" Peter Ruff said Ask one of the servants here where I can find one"
 Peter Ruff was conducted to a gloomy waiting-room. on the table of which stood small telephone instru ment He closed the door. but he was only absent for a very few minutes. When he rejoined Lady Mary and her brother they were talking together in agitated whispers. The latter turned towards him at once.
 Do you mean that you suspect Count Von Hern?" he asked. doubt fully. He is friend of the Danish Ministers, and every one says that he's such a good chap. He doesn't seem to take the slightest interest in politics-spends nearly all his time hunting or playing polo."
 "I don't suspect any one." Peter Ruff answered. "I only know that Count Won Hern is an Austrian spy. and that he took your paperi Has he been out of your sight at all since you rejoined him in the sitting-room? I mean to say-had he any opportunity of leaving you during the time you were dining together. or did he make any calls en route. either on the way to the Savoy or from the Savoy here?
 The young man shook his head.
 He has not been out of my sight for a second" he declared.
 Who is the other man-Jermyn? Peter Ruff asked. "I never heard of him."
 An American-cousin of the Duch- ess," the Honorable Maurice answered. He could not have had the slightest interest in the affair"
 Please take me into the ball room" Peter Ruff said to Lady Mary. Your brother had better not come with us. want to be as near the Count Won Hern as possible"
 They passed into the crowded rooms unnoticed. purposely avoiding the little space where the Duchess was still re- ceiving the late corners amongst her guests. They found progress difficult, and Lady Mary felt her heart sink as she glanced at the little jeweled watch which hung from her wrist. Suddenly Peter Run came to stand still
 Don't look for a moment" he said. "b but tell me as soon as you can who is that tall young man, like Goliath, talking to the little dark woman? You see whom l mean"
 Lady Mary nodded, and they passed on. In a moment or two she an swered him.
 "How strange that you should ask! !" she whispered in his ear. That is Mir. Jermyn."
 They were on the outskirts now or the ballroom itself One of Lady Mary's partners came up with an open program and face full of reproach.
 Do please forgive me. Captain Hen .lerson," Lady Mary begged. :" have hurt my foot. and l am not dancing any more."
 But surely I was to take you in to supper?" the young officer protested, spontaneously. Don't tell me that you are going to cut that?"
 "I am going to cut everything to- night with everybody" Lady Mary said. "Please forgive me. Come to tea tomorrow and I'll explain"
 The young man bowed, and, with curious glance at Ruff. accepted his dismissal Another partner was sim ply waved away.
 Please turn round and come back" Peter Ruff said. "I want to see those two again"
 But we haven't found Count Won Hern yet" she protested. Surely that is more important, is 1t not? l believe that I saw him dancing just nowhere, with the tall girl in yell low"
 Never mind about him, for the mo- ment," Ruff answered. Walk down this corridor with me. Do you mind talking all the time, please? It will sound more natural, and l want to listen"
 The young American and his part ner had found a more retired seat now. about three-quarters of the way down the pillared vestibule which bor- dered the ballroom. He was bending over his companion with an air of un- mistakable devotion, but 1t was she who talked. She seemed. indeed, to have a good deal to say to him. The slim white fingers of one hand played all the time with a string of mag nificent pearls. Her dark. soft eyes black as sloes and absolutely un- English-fashed into his. A delight ful smile hovered at the corners of her lips. All the time she was talking and he was listening. Lady Mary and her partner passed by unnoticed. At the end of the vestibule they turned and retraced their steps. Peter Ruff was very Quiet-he had caught few of those rapid words. But the wo- mans foreign accent had troubled him.