The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1913-05-10

her brother. They called me In quite
different dircctions-Jacqusline to her
side. the brother TO his assistance in
Rome. The young fool was in trouble
trouble serious enough to demand
the assistance of one who had iniu-
ence with the authorities. | happened
to ill that position. I must go to his aid.
In ~Jacqueline's letter | fancied |
read n tenderness that was altogether
new and delightful. II was no longer
the reserved Jacqueline that spoke.
There was a delightful shyness. but
through the shyness spoke the woman
who dared to be bold for the man she
loved.
She wished me to call at once. We
would discuss the book together. And
she had invited st. Hilary and myself
to dinner that evening. After I had
left them Yesterday he had limited at
a wonderful story about the old clock.
She would make him talk. I should
have copy for one of my legends at
least.
But | could not hesitate as to my
destination. for in assisting her brother
! would be doing .%Jacqueline n favor.
Unfortunately | could not tell her why
! had to leave Venice so peremptorily.
Neither she nor her aunt must know
that the youngster had made an ass of
himself. ! wrote her merely that an
affair of Importance had called me to
Rome. | caught the first train south.
Ten days passed before | shifted
once more the pungent odor of the la
goons. There had been complications
and delays. aud in his remorse the boy
had had a touch of Roman fever. L
could not leave him like that.
A letter from Jacqueline awaited me.
1t had arrived only a day or two be-
fore. Her ANNOYANCE at my sudden
flight from Venice was Obvious.
She regretted my absence at her din
ner. but | had not missed much. st.
Hilary had refused to talk. Perhaps
there was really no legend. after all.
And. indeed. when one came to think
over the matter calmly. was it worth
while attempting to discover one? And
was | really interested in writing the
book-that il. for its own sake? |
ought to he well assured of that. She
was afraid she would not see me
again for the present. They were to
leave almost Immediately for Bellagio.
| walked over to my window. | was
bitterly hurt and disappointed.
AS ! looked a gondola rowed by two
oarSnpn ou,arpad from fho rain ond
fog. 1t was headed directly for the
landing outside my windows. 1t touch
ed the steps. The old gransieri. shiv-
ering in an archway. battered across
the quay with his hood. The passen-
ger leaped ashore. 1t was st. Hilary.
And in this weather.
| drew the portiere. | walked over
to the mantel and felt for a match to
light the gas. for it was growing late.
AS | struck it half n dozen visiting
cards caught my ~eye-eight. to be quite
precise. One of the eight was that of
the Duke da Sestos. What humble at
traction had | for the noble gentle
man: The scven others bore the name
of st. Hilary. Seven calls in ten days,
| looked ut them thoughtfully, and
then-why. have no ideal thought
of the mysterious clock that Mrs. Cor
don had entrusted to my care and that
| had left with Il ieweler on the piazza
10 see If it was quite beyond repair. 1t
would be just as well to say nothing of
that to the dealer. | was curious to
know precisely the fascination that the
old %timepiece had for him.
Il was longing for some one to talk
to. Just returnedsfrom a little trip to
home. What's the news:"l
"Oh. | have just dropped in for a
smoke. Where's your whisky? | am
drenched through. The felsa of that
COMPOUNDED gondola leaked"
l caught the swift glance that took
in every detail of my room. | waved
my hand TO the sideboard.
Help yourself. III join you pres
entity when | have slipped into a bath
robe. You'll find the cigarettes by the
whisky"
| stepped into my room | heard the
fizz of the siphon. | caught the fumes
VI lie 1i@dltitt- L htalu tAC Nltdk VI
Il wicker chair as he threw himself
into it. Then there was silence. | was
about to rejoin him when / happened
to look into my mirror. st. Hilary
was reflected in it. and he was open
ing Il coat closet.
whistled noisily and put my eye to
a crack in the door. He was looking
into a cabinet. Then he pulled aside
the portiere that hid the deep recess
of the window. Another puzzled glance
about the room. and he sank noiseless-
~ into the chair. 1t was not difficult
to put two and W together. He was
looking for Mrs. Gordon's clock. Well.
he should satisfy himself thoroughly
that it was not OH my premises. Then
| would wait for his mex move. | en-
tered my sitting room, still whistling.
Just IL word to my man, and I'm
ready for our smoke" | said and went