Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-04-27


tereSted in the effort to protect Countess
Tarnowsy consider it to be the height OF
imprudence for any member of your family
to venture into the city. now or at any time
during her stay in this castle | happen to
know that Tarnowsy is having me watched
for some purpose or other. / don't think he
suspects the Countess is here; but | greatly
fear that ne believes | am interested r her
cause. Mrs. Titus says that the man Dill
hngnam assures her there is no danger.
Well, | can only say that Dillingham; is a
fool, and l don't purpose having my own
safety threatened by"
"Your safety" exclaimed he. Il like
that What have you to be afraid OFF"
you seem to forget that | am harboring
fugitive from justice | said fatty.
Mrs. Titus gasped. aHow dare you"
Countess Tarnowsy is wanted by the
authorities for kidnapping, and think you
know the facts as well as | do" | went on
harshly. God knows l am doing my best
to protect her! | am risking more than you
seem to appreciate. If she is found here,
my position isn't. likely to be an enviable
one. | am not thinking solely of myself
believe me; but after all l contend that
have right to assert myself in crisis that
may affect me vitality. | trust you will see
my position and act accordingly; with con-
sideration, if nothing else
Mrs. Titus did not take her eyes off mine
while | was speaking. There was an ex-
preston of utter amazement in them. Il
fear you exaggerate the extent of your peril
Mr.. Smart" she said dryly. @Of course,
have no desire to put you in jeopardy; but
it seems to me-"
Leaving me out Of the case altogether
don't you think it is bit unfair to the
Countess??" ! asked in some heat. "She
doesn't want to go to jail"
Jail she cried angrily.
That's no way to speak about" began
Colingraft furiously.
broke in rashly "If YOU please, Mr.
Titus. be good enough to keep your temper
| have no desire to appear harsh and arbi-
trarv; but | can see that 1T is necessary to
speak plainly. There isn't anything in the
world | will not do to help you and the
Countess in this unfortunate business, Mr..
if you will let me. But | reserve the right
to say what shall be and shall not be done
as long as you are under my roof Just
moment, Mr.. Titus | think we are quite
agreed that your sister is to depart from this
castle on the fourteenth of the month. | am
to be her escort, SO to speak, for a consider
able distance, in company with Bangs. Well,
II must be clearly understood that not one of
you is to show his or her face outside these
Walls ulllll dlleI Ildl journey IS over.
Il will 60 where please, and I'll go to
the town today!' roared Colingraft.
"If you, or any Of you, put foot outside
these walls declared, "you will not be al
lowed to reenter. That's fat'
"By cricky!' fell in fervent admiration
from the lips of Jasper. Jr. | glanced at his
beaming, astonished face. Good for you!
You're a wonder, Mr.. Smart! BY cricky.
And you're dead right. We're darn fools!
"Jasper!7 gasped Mrs. Titus Colin
graft, please take me to my room. Send for
Aline. Ask Mr.. Bangs to come to me at
once"
| bowed stiffly Il am sorry, Mrs. Titus,
to have been SO harsh, SO assertive-'
She held up both hands Il never was SO
spoken to in all my life, Mr.. Smart. l shall
not forget it to my dying day
She walked away from me, her pretty head
held high and her chin suspiciously aquiver.
Colingraft FASTENED after her. but not with
out giving me stare in which rage and Won
der struggled for the mastery.
"Gee!' said Jasper. you've corked her.
all right, all right He followed me into the
study, and | couldn't get rid of him for
hours.
Later in the forenoon the Countess. with
queer little smile on her lips, told me that
her mother considered me the most wonder
feel t1,a, I,