The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1913-09-18
CHAPTER vIII-contInued.

AtV 0A0NRAQ0 nAo I'LL All0I - ION
twirlings and twistings of the instru
ment click was heard and then came
the whizxing sound OF bullet
NOW watch right above u.s."
Five minutes later. at an immense
height. a flash occurred. Directly
after the fash a spiral light began to
descend, slowly; then, after several
minutes. an explosion followed that
put an end to the dropping spiral OF
fire and above them small white
cloud pun SLOWLY fell downward.
THAT was q beautyi" commented
Captain Euler.
Have you any moref" inquired the
countess.
II am sorry. madam, but this Is the
last for tonight" answered Chevalier
di Leon, with eyes turned steadily
toward the southeast. They all sat
down. and Captain Euler and the
countess started conversation in
which the chevalier refused to take
part; he was watching the sky and
the stars. 1t was much later than
usual when he returned to his gilt
cage, but he was satisfied at last; he
had seen star that winked at him
Familiarity.
The next day the countess asked If
they were to have fireworks again, but
the chevalier thought It would lose its
charm If they had the displays too
often. He retired to his room that
evening, complaining of slight head
ache.
Shall call the post doctor7" asked
Captain Euler. but the chevalier de-
clined.
When In his sleeping-room he looked
over the contents OF his small baggage
and selected number of articles that
he packed into one bundle. Then he
left the room.
The reading-room was the one that
was connected with the outer world
by the stairway that ran to the roof.
The chevalier stepped quickly to the
door leading to the corridor and list
ened; he could hear the sentry walk
Ing up and down. He saw with salts
faction that the door could be looked
on the inside with key and bolts; then
he examined the door that led to the
roof. 1t was heavy door. that could
be locked only from the inside. He
silently crept up the stairs and peered
Into the inclosure; under one of the
plants, In the shade, was the countess
reading. There were number of
heavy objects with which the door
could be barricaded.
He quietly descended. without being
seen by the countess, and inspected
her room. Apparently finding every
thing to his satisfaction, he picked up
book from the table and Joined the
countess.
Are you feeling better, my dear
chevallerf"
Il thank you, countess, yes. And how
are you? Does not this imprisonment
tell on your nerves?"
She sighed. "Chevalier, I think It
does. II l were In dark dungeon II
could hurt me more; but a prison ia
a prison. and gilt bsrs are hateful"
why are you here7"
She smiled sadly. "You ask me
why am here as II you did not know
my mission"
Your mission-then you are not a
prisonerf"
Il am prisoner just as long as you
are one, chevalier. My fate binds me
to YOU Why should hesitate to tell
your She looked around, and then
In whisper she continued Il am In
the service OF the international police
chevalier. and l was sent to you to
get your secret" Great tears rolled
down her cheeks. "Chevalier, please
don't interrupt me; 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 sobblnR.
Neither spoke for some time; at last
the chevalier turned to the countess:
1T Ia Just possible that am making
the greatest mistake OF my life. but
what is the difrerence-you have been
frank with me. and l 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 pastf Would you come
with mef"
She looked at him with such nm
utterable longing that he felt irresist-
IDLY drawn toward her; he actually
started toward the fascinating woman
With aruaa arfordad rr.. ~, .-