The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-06-26

VI
Chevaiier di Leon Arranged the Diff
ferent Pieces.
thing to his satisfaction, he picked up
a book from the table and joined the
countess.
Are you feeling better, my dear
cheva1ier?"
81 thank you, countess, yes. And how
are you? Does not this Imprisonment
tell on your nerves?"
She sighed. "Cheva1ier, think it
does. If were in dark dungeon it
could hurt me more; but a prison is
a prison, and gilt bars are hateful"
why are you here?'
She smiled sadly. you ask me
why I am here as If you did not know
my mission"
'fYour mission-then you are not a
prisoner"
II am a prisoner just as long as you
are one, chevalier. My fate binds me
L
you?" She looked around, and then
in a whisper she continued: Il am in
the service of the international police,
chevalier, and I was sent to you to
get your secret" Great tears rolled
down her cheeks. "Chevalier, please
don't interrupt me; I want you to
know all. The chancellor wants to
know your mission in Europe, from
where you come and the secret of
gold" She was now openly sobbing.
Neither spoke for some timer at last
the chevalier turned to the countess:
1T is just possible that I am making
the greatest mistake of my life, but
what is the difference-you have been
frank with me, and I will be frank
with YOU"
She lifted her face quickly.
The chevalier thought for a second.
Would you like to get rid of all that
belongs to the past? Would you come
with me?"
She looked at him with such IN
utterable longing that he felt irresist-
IDLY drawn toward her; he actually
started toward the fascinating woman
with arms extended. Then his saner
nature reminded him of all that would
result from letting their friendship
merge into love affair, and he
stopped
A wave OF rage swept over her
when she saw his hesitation and deci-
sion, but she whispered softly: 81
shall GO with YOU
Now we are becoming real conspir-
ators; be prepared so that at q mo-
ment's notice you can leave"
Where will you take me?''
Wherever my stars lead!" was his
enigmatical answer, as he left the roof
and went to his room to sleep.
Night came again, the captain left
them alone at $50, saying that he
had some writing to do.
Chevalier di Leon watched the sky,
which was somewhat cloudy; there
was a strong wind that drove the rag
ged wanderers to and fro.
The winking star he had observed
several times before was stationed In
the eastern sky.
Neither of the prisoners talked; ;
both seemed to be fully occupied with
their thoughts. Suddenly di Leon
turned to the dreaming countess: Are
you willing TO leave with me tonight.
in half an hour?"
But how absurd that is, chevalier! +"
DO you trust me implicitely?'
"I do!"
Then go to your room and get all
the things that you need to take along
ready. VIII half an hour be enough %
Il will be ready"
He led the countess down to her
room, and from that moment the chew
alier became energy itself First of
all. he locked the door OF the reading
room. then ran into his own room,
picked up his bundle of belongings
and hastily placed it on the roof. He
arranged several heavy objects around
the trapdoor leading to the reading
room and then sent a rocket from his
signal gun toward the wfnking star.
The light that followed was taken
as warning by the superstitious soL
diers on duty below; the red and white
stripes of the American flag high up
In the air. and the silyery stars on the
blue background completed the flag
that was causing so much annoyance
10 Europe.
The red star above twinkIed reas-
suringly and second later the roof
Of the prison was flooded with strong
light. The chevaHer ran down and
knocked at the countess door. Are
you ready?~
4 am. she replied and appeared
with small suitcase in her hand.
Just as they opened the door lead.