New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-04-06
CHAPTER TX. Am Invited Out to Dinner


Pcss and Baron CmovitCh at the outset Of their
campaign TO acquire undiSputed possession Of all
the comforts and convenience that the castle al
fOrdcd. He would have said no 10 their demands
that all work about the place should be regulated
according 10 their own lifelong habits; which,
among other things included lying in bed till noon,
going back to bed at three for quiet nap, and stay
ing up all night SO that they might be adequately
worn out by the time they went TO bed in the first
place.
mention this as a single instance Of their power
10 override me II got 70 be so that when a car
penter wanted to drive a nail he had to substitute
a screw and use a srrcWdrivcr.- noscless process,
but an nSucrablc waste Of time and money.
Lathers worked four days on job that should have
been accomplished in as many hours. Can You
imagine these expert, allcbodlcd men putting lathS
on wall with sCrcWdrlvcrS;
When Elsie Hazard, panuly aware Of my an
noyancc asked the two no'cmcn why on earth
they couldn't get up for breakfast, they coldly in
formed her that they were civilized human beings
and not larks.
They used my study for purposes Of their own,
and garcd at me when presumed to intrudc upon
their privacy. Plcss took possession OF this room,
and here received al sorts Of secret operatives en-
gagged in the task Of uncarthing the former Mrs.
PcsS. Here he had as many as fifteen reports
dav by messenger from al parts Of the land and
here he discussed every feature OF the chase as 1t
presented itself, coolly barring me out Of my sane
knock before attempting 70 cntc~.
In spite Of their acrimonious tlltS over the card
table, he and the Baron were as thick as could be
when II came 10 the question OF the derelict Count
csS They maintained the strictcst privacy, and
resented even the polite interest Of their four Amerl-
can friends.
Finding Poopcndykc at work over some tipping
one dav PlcSS percmptorllv ordered him out OF the
study and subsequently complained to me about
the internal racket the fellow made with his type
writer. They cursed my servants, drank my wines,
complained OF the food. and had everybody about
the place doing crrands for them. My butler and
iootinan threatened TO leave they were compelled
10 continue 10 serve drinks until four in the morn
ing: but were somewhat appcascd when | raised
their wages Brtton surrcptitiouSly thrcShcd the
French valet and then had 10 serve PlcsS to my
despair. for two days while FRANCOIS took his time
recovering.
The mGtorboat was operated as a ferry after the
third day. hus'ng detectives, lawyers, messengers,
and newspaper correspondents back and iorth
across the much hc-ung Danube. Time and again
J shivcrcd in my boots when these sly-iaCcd de-
tcctivcs appeared and made their reports behind
closed doors. When would they strike The trail;
Al last there came % day ID; dcIiycrancc. The
"A guests were departing. and | can 'ruthiully
say that was speeding them
Elsie Hazard took me Of 90 q remote corner,
where little later on Betty Billy and The two hus-
lands found rs. John. WiIl you ever forgive mc,
She SAID very -ohcrlr. 81 swear 'o you hadn't
the tain'c-' idea what
Please. please Elsie, / broke in warmly, don't
abuse yourself ID ,uy presence fully understand
everything. ~ least. nearly everything What |
can't understand. tot ',c litc 81 mo. Is This. How
did YOU happen 'p pick ur '"D .U.I ODnsu'niudic
founders as these fellows are
Ala. Iohu' said -hc s,akin. Acr head. IL
woman never know uu.h about 90 nan Until. she
has lived q week IN 'hc same house with him. Now,
.tfI..t