Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-06-19

village on the chance OF finding me there.
but. instead. encountered the baron, who
was looking out to sea He also displayed
anxiety over my disappearance, which
was not strange considering that though
he was an opponent he had eaten OF my
bread and salt and was a gentleman. A
few suggestions he offered. he asked =
number Of questions, and showed that he
was great deal disturbed by the news
He had come to Stag Lodge TO while
away a duh evening. lie explained, and
he expressed every hope OF my speedy
return without misadventure. Were Wa
going to the village? Then he would re
main on the spot Ia watch In case came
was a gentleman whom one would wish 10
number among ones friends.
Well. ] came at last said.
Very hungry YOU must he. too. Mas
had nothing all day. Whatever you wish
Ill prepare
-Let it be something solid and plenty
| Of tt
Billy was dissatisfied. Il call this devil
ish hard luck for me 90 miss all the fun
| and not get a wback at those felows.
We've not finished with them yet, hv
any means l answered
II hope not Certainly I was stupid
this evening when / heard YOU yell and
didn't follow the cry. should have gone
into that house and up the stair ten
steps at "A time
l smiled. ''One can't 60 tearing into
strange houses, YOU know. a mere sus-
picion. Besides, you couldn't be expected
TO know that | was in a particularly in
teresting situation. and. further, You
didn't know which house to rush"
Il could have looked around hit.
| Clearly he believed that he had missed
an opportunity. The rest OF his life would
be lived with tina. memory to vex him.
Never fear. IL ] know Del Hervallc
and Pilon there'll be chances yet" said
Il OH d 90 yrnfh IN
happen tonight. I'm tired as q dog
or the chances that were to come i
spoke truly: OF the uneventfulness OF the
| night not so near the truth. We came
at last TO the edge Of the wood. where
| II gave way before my lawn. Billy cent
a hail to the baron, who had remained
| at the wharf. but there was no response,
| and SO. agreeing with Andrews sugges
| ton that he had probably walked a little
| distance up the east beach and would
presently return. we began the ascent OF
| the slope. The lighted windows would
| inform him of our arrival.
But I'm hardly in state to enter
| tain visitors" / said, either the baron
| or yourself. A bath. supper and bed for
me-
"Tu do the entertaining" Billy replied
who is the German gentleman, any
| way?'
Baron Won Hussman. OF the army.
| too though he has not committed himself
| as to his rank" I described the circum-
| stances Of our meeting. encounter and
| subsequent acquaintance. $50 you see
that our friendship. IL such 1t may be
called. is upon q conditional footing. He's
after the map: I am hiding II from him.
| Just as In the case OF Del Hervale while
| we play the game we preserve the out
ward amenities. And there are girls
here" added maliciously.
| He stopped dead, and when he spoke il
| was in an aggrieved tone.
why the deuce do you want TO spoil
| 1t with girls?'
/ laughed. They are very nice girls
"Of course. But this is a man 8 island
and q mans war. Girls ought to stay at
home. They'll get their skirts in the way
and upset the fun"
II think not
| well, know he said. with emphasis
| I've experienced them Of old"
| You needn't worry in Lavouche." I re-
piled. starting up the lawn. Senior Del
Hervalle will see to that-and, besides.
they add a touch of color to the war"
| Not for million diamonds would
| have had Betty away from Lavouche.
not since I had learned the interest my
| unknown fate had aroused in her. Love
1 could only have sent her worrying
scurrying about the island and through
| the village with Andrew in search OF me.
wondered II at this very minute she
was not questioning the night OF my
whereabouts
Inside the house Andrew lighted a lamp
and went into the kitchen to cook my
| supper. BILLY and / stood before the fire
warming our hands.
This map has turned out to be some
thing, after all. he remarked.
Yes
Have you learned what particular
fortress IL is?"
mo. Del Hervalle. the scoundrel.
knows. OF course. as he knew the facts
Of every affair I'm which Douglass was
mixed: But he declines to tell"
We'll, we'll have to find out"
THAT will be difficult
when we have caught the senior and
tied him UP. We'll see. I know a trick
or two to make obstinate men talk Billy
spoke cold-bloodedly and businesslike.
I'm gladly assist you at the operation.
He meditated for a moment.
There's no danger OF his stealing the
map. is there?"
Steal II. no. He has had his fingers
within an inch OF it, SO has the baron.
and neither ever OWNED the fact"
Then II must be well hid"
wait, I'll show you" | fetched the
tankard. There"
Billy looked at it with a puzzled eye.
"Inside?'
Yes. inside
lifted the top to allow him to peer in.
, Il see nothing but the bottom"
Here come across TO the light ] set
the tankard upon the table. Sec the
small plugp That holds fiat dish You
mistake it for the bottom. even now with
little wine over It, When IL is filled You
do not see IL at all"
He Strengthened up.
"Finei Your friend. the baron, would
give a thousand dollars to know that Sc
cret'
quiet voice spoke from near by.
I'm afraid you overstate the amount
Just In front OF the portieres which
hung before door OF q bedchamber
stood the baron himself
A smile was on hts lips. q revolver I'm
IT. .gl XII
bearded, CARRIED in yachting costume. He
also pointed a revolver.
I began TO believe with the baron that
the amount which had been quoted was
rather hiRh.