The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1913-10-17
CHAPTER ".


CHAPTER ".
Prisoners.
This Is Monsieur Scarlet, of the
Imperial Military Police" said the
Countess, in a clear voice, ending witt
that slightly rising infection which
demands IN answer.
Mr.. Buckhurst," I said, 81 am an
Inspector Of Military Police, and ]
cannot begin to tell you what a pleas
ure this meeting is to me-"
stepped forward and placed him
formally under arrest, touching him
slightly on the shoulder. He did not
move a muscle, yet, beneath the thin
cloth of his coat l could divine a
frame Of iron. you have not asked
me why I arrest YOU" l suggested,
and, monsieur, I must ask you to
step back from that table-quick!-
don't move!-not one inger!"
For a second he looked into the
barrel Of my pistol with concentrated
composure, then glanced at the table
drawer which he had jerked open A
revolver lay shining among the litter
OF glass tubes and papers in the
drawer.
The Countess, too, saw the revolver
and turned an astonishod face to my
prisoner.
Who brought you here?" asked
Buckhurst quietly Of me.
Il did" said the Countess, her voice
almost breaking.
Slowly Buckhurst turned his eyes
on the Countess; the faintest glimmer
Of white teeth showed for an instant
between the gray lines that we're his
lips.
so you brought this nan here?" he
said. "oh, l am glad to know it."
Stop! Stand back from that tablet"
I cried.
Il beg your pardon" he said, coolly.
Madame" said l, without taking
my eyes from him, "in a community
dedicated to peace, a revolver is an
anachronism. So l think-if you move
| will shoot you, Mr.. Buckhurst!-so
think I had better take it, table
drawer and all"
Stop" said Buckhurst.
"Oh no, | can't stop now" said |
c%heerfully, land if you attempt to up
set that lamp you will make a sad
mistake. Now walk to the door,
Turn your back! Go slowly!-halt!"
With the table-drawer under one
arm and my pistolhand swinging, l
followed Buckhurst out into the hall.
Under the trees on the lawn, be-
side the driveway, l saw DR.. belmont
standing, big, bushy head bent
th%oughtfully, hands clasped behind
his back.
Near him, Tavernier and Bazard
were lifting a few boxes into a farm.
wagon. But there were yet no signs
OF the escort OF gendarmes which had
been promised me.
As Buckhuret appeared, walking all
alone ahead of me, DR.. belmont looked
up with a bitter laugh.
"Messieurs," / said, cooking and
unlocking my pistol, 1T is not because
this man is a dangerous political Grim.
inal, that the government has sent
me here to arrest him or kill
him. 1t is because he is a common
thief. a thief, a thief
who steals crucihxes. like this
one"
brushed aside a pile of papers in
the drawer and drew out a big gold
crucit1x, marvelously chiseled from a
lump Of the solid metal. "A
l continued, who strips the
diamonds from crucifxes, as
this has been stripped, and
who sells a single stone to a Jew in
%Strasbourg, named Fishel Cohen, .
now in prison to confront our friend
Buckhurst."
In the dead silence I heard DR.. Del
mont's heavy breathing. Tavernier
a dry sob and covered his face
with his hands. The young Countess
stood m%otionless, frightfully white,
at B%uckhurst, who had folded
his arms.
Buckhurst looked at me. long
enough to see that the end Of his rope
had come. Then he slowly turned his
deadly eyes on the girl before him.
Scarlet to the roots Of her hair, she
stood there, utterly stunned. Then
the sudden double beat Of horses
hoofs broke out along the avenue be-
low, and, through the red sunset I
saw a dozen horsemen come scamper
Ing up the drive toward US. At the
same moment l stepped out into the
driveway to signal the riders, raising
my hand.
Instantly a pistol fashed-then an
other and another. and q dozen harsh
7oices shouted: "Houura! Hourral |
Preussenl"
Mile %tonneTrei" roared belmont;
the Prussinns are hefei"
Look outi Stand back therei Get
he women baekl" / cried, as an
Jhlan wheeled his horse shraisht
hrough q bed Of geFauiums end fred
lis horSS pistol at ma