The evening world., 1914-03-12

pair the damage had done.
- II was testing when I spoke
Of jail"
Her brow was puckcred in thought.
It hns Just occurred TO me. my dear
friend, that even IL I do get safely
away You will be left here TO face
the consequences. When II becomes
known that you sheltered me. the
authorities may make 1t extremely
uncomfortable for YOU"
I'm not worrying about that"
Just the same. II Is something to
worry about" she said. seriously.
Now. here is what I have had In
mind for a long. long time. Why
don't YOU come with mo when I
leave? That will be the safest plan."
"You are not In earnest"
Assuredly. The plan Is something
like This: l am to be taken by slow
stages. overland. to a small Medi-
terranean port. One Of a half dozen
American yachts now cruising the
sea will be ready to pick me UP.
OOSDh IL Seeul StIllDIc
1T seems simple enough" said /.
But there are a lot Of Ifs between
here and the little port you hope to
reach. It will not be an easy matter
u manage the successful flight Of .
party a. large a. yours will be-"
oh" she cried. II shall be quite
alone. except for Rosemary and Blake
and Mr.. Bangs"
'"But your nother1 You can't leave
hae here" ,.... .
you win have 10 smugyls her out
q the castle . day or two In advance.
II 10 all thought out, Mr.. Smart"
Bangs was shrewd little English
J stayed late with them. disc ussins
plans. He had strongly advised
against any attempt on Mrs. Tituss
part to enter her daughters hiding
place. but had been overruied. 1 con-
ceived the notion too that he was a
very strong minded man. What then
must have been the strength Of Mrs.
Tttus's resolution to overcome the
objections he put in her way?
Everybody seems to have thought
everything out with q single excep-
tton-myself. His plan was not u
bad one. Mrs. Titus and her sons
were to enter the castle under cover
u night. and was to meet them In
an automobile at o town Gfteen kilo-
meters away. where they would leave
tho train while their watchersD were
asleep. and bring them overland to
Schloss Rothhoefen. They would be
accompanied by a single iady's maid
sod no luggage. A chartered motor
boat would meet us up the river q
few miles. and--well. II looked very
simple! All that was required Of me
was q willingness to address her as
Mother" and her sons as "hrothers"
In case there were any questions
asked.
This was Tuesday. They were
coming on Thursday. and the train
reached the station mentioned at
half past IL at night. So you will
SEE 1t was a jolly arrangement.
Later when l was alone with the
Countess l said on impulse:
Il wish you were Aline Titus"
you may at least be sure that
owsy long. Mr.. Smart" she said. with
a very puxzling expression in her
eyes.
Ny heart sank. But remember
hearing you say not so very long ago
that you would never marry again."
I rallied.
She regarded me rather oddly for
q moment. II am very. very glad
that you are such a steady. sensible.
practical man. A vapid. impression
able youth. during this season Of
propinquity. might have been 80 fool,
ish a. to fall In love with me. and
that would have been too bad"
I think l glared at her. "Then-
then, you are going to marry some
oneT
-shs waited moment. looking
straight into my eyes. YES" she
said; and a delicate pink stole into
hss cheek, "I am going t" marry some
4 mu,tered something about con-
graduating a lucky dog. but 1t was
all very hazy to me.
"Don't congratulate him yet she
cried. the flush deepening II may
IS a very. very great disappointment
- him. and a never ending nuisance"
sim sure YOU will--will be all
rtrht," ficundered. Then I resorted
TO eayety. You see. I've spent a lot
Of time trying toto make another
woman Of you, and SO I'm conhdent
he'Yi md you quite satisfactory"
A very few words are sufficient to
cover the expedition in quest OF the
legendary treasures OF the long dead
Barons. MI. BanGs accompanied US.
Rritton carried lantern and the
three Schmicks went along AZ guides.
We found nothing but cobwebs.
/. conrad" said I. as We emerged
from the last Of the underground
Chambers. "tell me the truth; was
there ever such thing as buried
treasure In this abominable hole?'
!, eyes, mein herr" he replied, with
IN upologetic grin; but think II
Ias discovered three years ago by
Count Hohendahl and Count Tar
noWsy." 80
Avw criAd l. With n nulck GLANCE AZ