The Washington herald., 1912-09-15
o0lPlPlEEYlEuEIlM

nave you 10 DO with my affairs
II have as much to do with them a.
the Count Won Hern," Peter insisted
boldly.
Il have known the Count Won Hern,'
she answered, "for very many years"
IF you have known the Count vor
Hern for many years." Peter asserted
you have found out by this time that
he Is an absolutely untrustworthy per
SON"
"Supposing he is" she said, will you
tell me what concern it is of yours
Do you suppose for one moment that
! am likely to discuss my private az
fairs with perfect stranger"
you have no private affairs" Peter
declared, sternly. They are the af.
fairs of nation"
She glanced at him with little
shiver
From that moment he felt that he
was gaining ground. She looked
around the room. 1t was filled, but in
their corner they were almost unob-
served.
How much do you know" she
asked in low tone which shook with
passion.
Peter smiled enigmatically.
Perhaps more even than you, duch-
esse," he replied. 81 should like to be
your friend. You need one-you know
that"
She rose abruptly to her feet
For tonight II is enough" she de-
elared, wrapping her fur cloak around
her you may talk to me tomorrow,
baron. But tonight, nor
Peter stood aside and allowed her to
step past him. He was perfectly con-
tent with the progress he had made
As soon as she was out of sight he
returned to the couch where she had
been sitting. She had taken away the
Maroonigrams, but she had left upon
the floor several copies of the New
York Herald. He took them up and
read them carefully through. The last
one he found particularly interesting,
so much so that he folded it up, placed
it in his coat pocket, and went off to
look for Sogrsnge, whom he found at
last in the saloon. Peter sank upon
the cushioned seat by his side
"You were right" he remarked. Ber-
nadine has been busy"
Sogrange smiled.
Il trust" he said, that the duchesse
is not proving faithless"
$50 far. Peter replied, Il have kept
my end up. Tomorrow will be the
There is every prospect of your ac-
quiring a great deal of valuable infor-
nation before then" Sogrange de-
clared "Sit tight. my friend. Some
thing is going to happen"
On the threshold OF the saloon. ush-
cred in by one of the stewards, a tall,
powerful looking man. with a square,
well trimmed black beard, was stand
ing looking around as though in search
of some one The steward pointed out,
with an unrnistakable movement of his
head, Peter and Sogrange. The man
approached and took the next table.
Steward" he directed, bring me a
glass of Vermouth and some donli-
noes"
Peters eyes were suddenly bright
Sogrange touched his foot under the
table and whispered a word of warn-
newcomer arranged them as though for
a game. Then he calmly withdrew the
double four and laid it before So
grange.
1T has been my misfortune, mar
QulS, llC Sdlu, UCNCI 10 nave IHduC
your acquaintance, although our mu-
tual friends are many. and l think l
may say that | have the right to claim
a certain amount of consideration from
you and your associates. You know
me-"
Certainly, prince" Sogrange replied.
Il am charmed. Permit me to present
my friend, the Baron de Grost"
The newcomer bowed and glanced
little nervously around.
You will permit me-" he begged.
~ travel incognito. | have lived so
long in England that | have permitted
myself the name of an Englishman. l
am travelling under the name of Mr..
James Fanshawe."
Mr.. Fanshawe, by all means" So
grange agreed. IN the meantime"
Il claim my rights as a correspond
ing member of the Double the
newcomer declared. My friend the
Count Won Hern finds menace to GER
tain plans of ours in your. presence
upon this steamer. Unknown to him,
| come to you openly. l claim your
aid, not your enmity."
Let us understand one another
clearly" Sogrange said. You claim
our AID IN what!
Mr.. Fanshawe glanced around the
saloon and lowered his voice.
Il claim your aid toward the over
throwing of the usurping House of
Braganza and the restoration to power
in Spain of my own line"
Sogrange was silent for several mo-
ments. Peter was leaning forward in
his place, deeply interested.
Our active aid toward such an
end" Sogrange said at last. rs i'm
possible. The Society Of the Double
Four does not interfere in the do
nestle policy of other nations for the
sake of individual members"
Then let me ask you why L find
you upon this steamer" Mr.. Fanshawe
demanded, in tone of suppressed ex-
element One is driven to conclude !
that it is your intention to Interfere"
THE affair almost demands our in |
reference" Sogrange replied. smooth |
ly. With every due respect to you,
Prince. there are great interests in-l
volved in this move of yours"
The prince was a big man but for |
all his large features and bearded face, |
his expression was the expression of /,
peevish and passionate child. He con-
trolled himself with an effort. i
Marquis" he said, this is neces-
sary-I say that it is necessary that
we conclude an alliance"
Sogrange nodded approvingly.
at is well SPOKEN" he said "but re-