The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-05-10

You will like my father" she said
He loves me more than any one else
in the w0rld-more than all the world
He would buy Off the count tomorrow
il would permit him to do SO. OF
late | have been thinking very seri
ously of suggesting it to him. A mil
lion is nothing to my father"
Tbrre came sharp rapping OH the
Door mt this instant. Goodness.
You'd think Sherlock Holmes himself
was at the door" she cried.
went to the door.
Can you come down at once, Mr.
Smart?" Poopendyllo said In a voice
not meant to reach the ears of the
countess.
whats up:" | questioned sharply.
''The liz. I'm afraid" he whispered.
Good Lord. Detectives:"
NO. Count Tarnowsy and a stran-
ger"
"lmpossible."
The countess. alarmed by our man
ner, quickly crossed the room.
What is it?" she demanded.
1.-THE count is downstairs" | said.
Don't be alarmed. Nothing can hap.
pen. You
She laughed. "Oh. is that all? NV
dear Mr.. Smart. he has come to see
yoI about the frescoes."
But | have insulted him."
Not permanently she said. II
know him too well. He is like a Ieech.
He has given you time to reflect and
therefore regret your action Of the 9th
er night. 60 down and see him."
Poopendyke volunteered further in
formation. There is also a man down
there, cheap looking person. wEn
says he must see the Countess Tarnow-
sy at once"
"A middle aged man with the upper
button of his wastcoat off," she asked
sharply.
IL can't say as to the button"
81 am expecting one of my lawyers.
1t must be he He was to have but.
ton off,"
I'll look him over again. said Poop
endyke.
DO. And be careful not TO let the
count catch glimpse of him. That
would be fatal"
mo danger of that. He went al
once to old Conrad's room"
Good. | had note from him this
morning, Mr.. Smart. He is Mr.. Bangs
of London"
May inquire. countess, how yot
manage to have letters delivered tt
you here? Isn't it extremely danger
GUS to have them go through the
mailsy"
They are all directed to the
Schmicks." she explained. They arc
passed on to me. Now go and see the
count. Don't lend him any money"
The count was waiting for me in
the loggia.
ut is good to see you again. old fel.
low. he said. with an amiability that
surprised me. Il was afraid you might
hold Il grievance against ME. YOu
americans are queer chaps. you know"
ConSllmmnte assurance. had not
touched drop of anything that night.
Il assure you. Count Tarnowsy, the
little tilt. as Won are pleased to call
1t, was of no consequence. | had quite
forgotten that it occurred. Sorry YOU
reminded ME of it,
The irony was wasted. He beamed
My dear fellow. shah we not shake
hands?"
There was something irresistibly
winning about him. as I've said before
We shook hands with what seemed tu
be genuine fervor.
i suppose you are wondering what
brings me here" he said us We started
toward the entrance to the lUggia, his
arm through mine. Il do not forget
promise. Mr.. Smart. You NAV re.
member that | agreed to fetch a man
from Munchen to look over your fine
old frescoes and to give you an esti.
mate. Well, he is here. The very best
man in Europe"
Il am sure am greatly indebted TO
you, count said, but after think.
ing it over I've
Don't say that you have already
engaged some one to do the work"
he cried in horror. My dear fellow.
don't tell me that. You are certain to
make a dreadful mistake il yon listen
TO any one but Schwartzmuler. He IN
the last word in restortions. He is"-
checked him. Il have virtually de- |
clded to let the whole matter 20 over
until next spring. However. shall be
happy to have Mr. Schwartzmuller's
opinion. We may be able to plan
ahead
A look of disappointment fitted
across his face. The suggestion of
hard old age crept into his features
for second and then disappeared.
Delays are dangerous he said.
My Judgment is that those gorgeous
paintings will disintegrate more dur.
ing the coming winter than in all the
years gone y. They are at the critical
stage. III OF preserved now we'll. l
cannot bear to think of the conse.
luences All. here is Herr Schwartz.
muller"
Just inside the door. we came upon
pompous yet servile German who
'ould not by any means have been mis-
aiken for anything but the hast word
n restoration.
For ten minutes allowed them to
,xpatiate on the perils of procrastl-
lation in the treatment of rare old
and pigments, and then. y u