The Washington times., 1911-10-28
CHAPTER XIV.
A Call to Action.


through the portieres Into the hotel.
downstairs, and out into the street.
anywhere, no matter where--any-
where to be alone and collect my
shaken wits and piece together the
shattered ruins of my nfe-hope. I.
Sebaste had spoken OF q woman-an
unknown woman--said to have been
chosen as American legate by that vile
On the breast of Doris Todd's white
dress. revealed by the disarranging OF
the ia bot, had CLEANED like a red star
For a time i stumbled on, blindly. un-
thinkingly; my every sense numb from
the blow. All could see, think or hear
was that glowing. crawling scarlet
By anE mshy .sSys scrt Pos sSd %s.ef
last to think with some attempt at
clearness. and to try TO- twist the
wretched facts into a sembiance Of de-
Of the scarab might be accounted for
on some perfectly natural basis.
But I remembered again what Se-
baste had said Of the woman legate se-
scarlet scarab was assigned to some
particular legate and strict record
kept; that only enough scarabs wero
made to supply each legate with one.
one. unauthorized. was punishable by
death.
Could Doris have bought hers by mere
chance. as had I? Hardly. She must
There was but one thing to do.
turned back to the hotel. went at
once to my rooms and began packing.
noa for New York in two days. / had
easily time to catch It.
l would return to my own class
to humdrum, unromantic. ,workaday
eS to denat fr0% be tempt
AS / way clearing off the top of the
dressing table j saw my scarab scarf
pin lying where 1t had been carelessly
remembered now that ] had not taken
1t from my other suit when put on my
evening clothes.
The sight Of ths thing filled me with
ao door and Was rage sout to hrsw Grind
atoms under my heel when some latent
sentiment restrained me.
I restored 1t to the dresser and went
''Heilo!" he cried. what's doin'
"Mbsfs Il qm;s toss said briefly tomorrow"
"Genoa. Then. next day. to New
"Sufferin' sinners! thought we wa.
SoiR, 50 1,s to sn;.s zee this Brotherhood dos-nsh
I've changed my mind; As far q,
see. I'm off for home-to a .countr,
where at least some men are white and
He whistled long and softly. his gaze
Of astonishment changing to a gentle'
,ersd sS thss Ws how ant t. fooled en-" s b mSt :.
there!' as I raised my hand In angry
protest don't ,Est riied. / amt goin
sam rub M after III mahs hs ns:s IKE
names spoke. But II we're goin' home
do some trunk -flllin'." -.
9en .aa t navs soSsnss ss S H:t qsss sssas:
sumption that our interests and plan.
| were one.
Don't you worry about me. won,
my hat 10 Missus Liberty. goin' up III
bay. I've had about all Of furren lifs
reely need. An over there. across tht
pond, little old New York Is simply ach
Ave thousan'' Hello! Who's there. I
was real considerate Of you, friend. e
save our nerves a Jar by not knockin'.'
A man. tall. well dressed. stood at the
Forgive my informality." said he
but my business Is most urgent. Yor
are Mr.. D'Auban? I must speak witt
you alone, SIR II you VIII DO me tht
you can speak before this gentle
man. ! replied.
He looked doubtful. and, raising hi
right hand to his chest. made a swift
gesture Of the middle three fingers.
recognized It as a counterpart to the
sign Murena had used in the srotto.
! You may speak before Mr.. Gregg,
repeated: he knows no Italian.
II am the bearer. Of a message from
! Count Sebaste," said the stranger. 90
am the Eisconte Rescio, and the legate',
obedient servant" he added with = bow
Ter. II am instructed by Count Sc
baste to beg the honor Of your imme
| dlate presence in a matter of life ant
death. He could not come himself fol
| rem"
This was all Greek to me. Sick ant
tired as ! was of the whole wretchet
| business. was at irst minded to throw
| the fellow downstairs.
did not doubt that he was an au
thentic messenger. He had made th'