The Washington times., 1911-07-08
CHAPTER vi (Continued).

10 he ha6 taken the precaution
against further examination Of
the majors mount. The servants
would probably not notice the cut
upon the flank and it would be supposed
the beast had fallen in the slippery mud.
fell to wondering why he should have
desired 70 kill or cripple his compan-
ion, for my mind there was no doubt
that he had taken deliberate advantage
of the dangerous incline.
looked into his face and saw no evil
there-only weakness in the set of his
mouth. He would bear watching, for
believed him TO be the tool OF those
under whose direction the secretary,
Elmur Ludolf, had been poisoned in the
hotel in Paris.
II seemed a long time before Morgan
put in an appearance. When he did
come the girl did not accompany him.
He glanced at Van Holleun sharply.
then nodded in reply TO my look Of
inquiry.
1T is a bad break, but l think we
have done everything possible. Still,
the countess insists that a surgeon be
summoned from the CITY," said he
quietly.
Won HoIleun shrugged his shoulders.
Then l shall ride back tonight and
send one on in the morning. And you,
gentlemen"
Mr.. Robinson will accompany you,
but 1t is considered best that l remain
here during the night. There is al
ways some fever, and the countess has
requested it." Morgan answered.
The dragon glanced at the sky and
shrugged his shoulders.
1T will be dark before We can reach
Brescia. Perhaps, after all, We had all
best remain until morning. And then
there is the little matter of dinner,
said he lightly.
Morgan and l glanced at each other.
1t was not for US to suggest he ride
back to the city. A moment before he
had expressed the determination to do
SO; now, when he found tnat one OF us
would remain behind, he suddenly dis
covered IL might be better TO postpone
his journey until morning. 1t seemed
as though he did not care to leave a
stranger at the villa:
He turned toward the door.
Pardon, gentlemen" said he, careless
ly, but 1 will inform the countess tnat
she will have four guests FOR the night
! can assure Mr.. Robinson lie need nave
no scruples in accepting my sister
hospitality. Already we are placed un-
der obligations"
He disappeared. l looked at Morgan.
He nodded.
For which obligation the young fool
is doubtless damning US most heartily.
We might have known t-this house
is under the eye of the government
or, rather. the girl Is; when aInoaaIS uni,
TO the same thing. This precious gov
ernor proposes to take no chances. The
bov he has under his thumb, and the
young fool will betray even his own
sister But with the girl 1t Is diner
ept. And you may remember that II
was known Ludolf visited hHr secretly
on his last trip to Brescla The gov
ernor believes she knows of the exist
ence OF the papers. but he does not pro-
pose 10 permit a chance of their be-
ing in her possession. Therefore no
strangers are allowed 20 wander un-
watched about the premises: We are
not dealing with fools. my friend and
the game is worth the candle.
We will stay tonight, Won Holleun
will remain, and-we will be watched
carefully. l will bet you me Oldest
bottle Of wine in this Internal country
that at least one of the servants Is In
the pay Of the governor AGG IL you
venture to take a walk in the park
after dark you may depend upon It you
will not be alone; though probably no
one will actually molest you except un-
der certain conditions. l should advise
no secret meetings with the little count
He whispered this interesting bit of
information rapidly and under cover
of lighting a cigar. AS the match
burned out in his fingers, and he tossed
II over the railing, the Countess valerie
apneared in the doorway. close oehlhd
her was Won Holleun.