The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1914-12-17

in order the very next day. l would be
polite about 1t, but very firm. The Titus
family tomitting the Countess and Pose
Nary was to be favored with an Uitimatum
from which there could be no appeal. John
Beilamv Smart had decided-wlth Morpheus
smoothing out the wrinkles of perplexity-
that he would be master In his own house.
My high resolve flattened itself out a lit
tie after the sound sleep ! had. and / make
no doubt | should have wavered sadly in my
purpose had not a crisis arisen to shape my
courage for me in a rather emphatic way.
Shortly after BREAKFAST Mrs. T!tss came
downstairs very smartl5 gowned Tor the
street. She announced that she was going
into the town for an hour or two and asked
me to have one Of the Schmicks ferry her
across the river. There was a famous
antique shop -there-memory Of other days
and she wanted to browse a while in search
of brasses and hronzes.
l looked at her. agnast. ! recognized the
crisis. but for a moment was unable TO mar
shall nv overs Of resistance. Noting my
CONSERVATION, she calmly assured me thai
there wouldn't be the least danger of de-
lection. as she was going TO be heavily
yciled and very cautious.
my dear Mrs. Titus I murnured in my
dismay. at isn't to be considered. am
sure YOU won't persist in this when l tell
you that Tarnowsy's agents are sure to see
you and"
She laughed. "Tarnowsy's agents! Why
should they be here?"
''They seem to be everywhere"
Il can assure you there is none within
fifty miles of Schloss Rothhoefen. Our men
are in the city. -Four of them preceded me.
This morning / had Mr.. Bangs telephone to
the hotel where the chief operative Is stay
. ing-in the guise of an American TOURIST
and he does 1t very cleverly for an Engnsn-
man. too.-and he assures me that there Is
absolutely no danger. Even Mr.. Bangs Is
satisfied"
Il am forced to say that l am by no
means satisfied that 1t is a safe or wise
thing to do, Mrs. Titus" l said, with more
firmness than I thought I possessed.
She raised her delicate eyebrows in a most
exasperating well bred, admonitory way.
4 am quite sure. Mr.. Smart. that billing
ham is a perfectly trustworthy detective
and"
1T is necessary for me to see Dillingham;,
that is the long and short Of it." she said
colby. One can't discuss things over a
stands. And, by the way, Mr.. smart, ! have
taken the liberty Of calling up the central
office of the telephone company TO ask II
they can run an extension wire to my dress
ing-room. l hope YOU do not mind"
mot in the least, l should have thought
of 1t myself"
And now will you be good enough to have
Hawkes. order the man to row me across
the
~ am very sorry, Mrs. Titus said l
firmly. but / fear I must declare myself.
TODAY"
est" she cried. after searching my face
"unhappiiy, yes. VIII you let me tx
The idea she exclaimed as she drew
herself to her full height and withered me
with a look Of surprising scorn. Am | to
regard myself as a prisoner, Mr.. Smart?'
"Oh, ! beg Of YOU Mrs. Titus / began
miserably.
please answer my question"
Her tone cut me like tho lash Of a whip.
NV choler rose.
~ Go not choose to regard myself as a
jailer Ny only object in opposing this,
Il have never known anything so absurd"
Two. bright red spots appeared in her
cheeks. Your attitude is most extraordin-
airy. However shall 90 to the city ms
credit of having sense enough to - All,
Coiingraft."
The two sons approached from the
breakfast-roonn. where they had been enjoy
ing q ten o'clock chop. Colingraft, noting
his mothers attire. accelerated his speed
and was soon beside Us.
Going out. Mother q" he inquired, flick
ing tde ash from his cigarette.
III Mr.. Smart will be good enough to
withdraw his opposition she said icily. , j.,
He game me a sharp look. What's up?'
Mrs. Titus doesn't seem to realize the
risk she runs in -
Risk? Do you suppose. Mr.. Smart,
would jeopsrdize my daughters-'
WHATS up?" repeated Colingraft insist
entity.
"Mr. smart calmly informs me that | am
to say about it, said her son coolly. If
he He paused, glaring,
| looked him souarely in the eye. II he
had possessed the acumen of a ~pollywog he
would have seen that my Dutch was up,
zone moment. MI. Titus" I said, setting
are guests in my house. We are Jointly in
terested in me effort to protect the Countess
Tarnowsky, l consider It TO be the height
of imprudence for any member of your
r any time during her stay in this castle. 1
/, happen to know that Tarnowsky is having