The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-03-30

 pay your fare home-and send an of fcer to the railway station to see that you go.
 In England such a scene as that which had occurred at the Villa would have brought the police not only hot-foot upon the spot, but eager to solve the mystery, to get up a case, to capture the criminal or crim- inals; but here the police arrived with a very different object; and Ronald was somewhat staggered when he was informed by the inspector that it was evident that the wounded Eng lishman had fallen down and hurt himself, that there would not only be no arrest, but no inquiry-if Ronald would refrain from making a fuss, and have his injured servant convey possible.
 It was a pity, the inspector remark ed blandly, that his Excellency the Count was absent from home; but no  Meanwhile the house would be placed in the charge of the proper person, the major-domo, and all would be well. The inspector added, with a nificant bow, that no doubt his Elk cellency-meaning the amazed Ron- ald-would take his departure from Monaco as soon as his servant was able to travel.
 Ronald was astonished, but reliev- ed. No good purpose could be served by following and capturing Raven; for Cara's sake, publicity was to De avoided if possible. With this sense of relief, not unmixed with bewilder- ment, he went to Smithers, who, at sight of his master. attempted to raise himself, and uttered a cry of anxious interrogation.
 "How are you, Smithers.' asked Ronald, taking him by the hand and examining the bandage.
 First rate, sir!'' responded Smith CTS, with respectful impatience.- ''Nev- CT better in my life. Thank God, you've come, sir! I can get up now! It took two of them to hold me down. If you will just lend me a and, sir, beggin' yer pardon- But the young lady, sir?''
 "It's all right" said Ronald, with a sudden flush, his hand closing on Smithers' arm. I've found her. She's on board the yacht by this time, on her way to England"
 "Hooray!' said Smithers, with @ ridiculous attempt at cheer. That's the best news I've 'eard for many a day, as the man said when they told i'm it was a mistake, and that it wasn't triplets, but only twins. On the way to England, is she, sir! She couldn't be goin' to a better place. '-suddenly-"why ain't you gone with Ter, r?"-eagerly, anxiously scanning Rona1d's face. ''Oh, good 'eavens, sir! don't go an say as you've
 
 break my 'eart, sir, that's what you'll do!
 Ronald laughed shortly.
 Come off it, Smithers!'' he said, with a suspicious catch in his voice. ''Do you think I should leave you ? Do you think I should ever forgive myself if I did? And do you think she would ever forgive me? I told her what you have done for me; and she wants to see you, to thank you; so the sooner you get better" Smithers groaned and turned away his head.
 Gimme my clothes, sir!" he inn pIored. "Take me out O this, any way. The place is gettin' on my nerves, an every time I close my eyes I see that smiiin' devil agoin' for you with that murd'rous knittin' needle of is. Talkin' of that, sir, I've got it ere, under my piller; an I'm goin' to keep it as a kind O sooweneer of this little adventur' Take care O it, will you, sir?-I feel kind O top-'eavy."
 He sank into the doze produced by the sleeping-draught which the po- lice doctor had administered; and Ronald sat down and watched beside him.
 At ten o'clock Dexter Reece arriv- ed at the Villa. To his surprise he found the great gate open, and a police officer pacing to and fro, as if on guard. Reece passed him, walked for some little distance, and then came back and inquired in a casual way if the Count were at home. The man smiled, shrugged his shoulders, and replied in the negative, so signi- ficantly that Dexter Reece, now fully on his guard, and suspicious of he knew not what, got into conversation with the man.
 Palm oil'' is a wonderful loosener of the tongue, and in no place is it more efficacious than in this part of Europe. The man slipped the gold , coin into his pocket with com placence which indicated much prac- tice, and at once became communica- | tive. Dexter Reece learnt from him