The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-04-24
XCon4anuan.l

The countess watched us at play from her seat by the window. She was strangely still and pensive. I had the feeling that she was watching me all the time and that there was a shadow of anxiety in her lovely eyes. She smiled at our pranks, and yet there was something sad in the smile.
 I was young again with Rosemary and full of glee. She took me out of myself. I forgot the three Tftuses and with them many of my woes. Here was cure for the blues this gay Iitz tie kiddie of the unspeakable Tar nowsyl
 \ I lay awake for hours that night, but when I finally went to sleep -and heaven knows needed it-it was with. the soporific resolution to put my house rigid1y in order the very next day. The Titus family (omitting the countess and Rosemary was to be favored with an u1timatum from which there could be no appeal John BelIamy Smart had decided with Morpheus smooth ing out the wrinkles of perplexity- that he would be master in his own house.
 My high resolve dattened itself out a little after the sound sleep had, and make no doubt should have wavered sadly in my purpose had not crisis arisen to shape my courage for me in rather emphatic way.
 Shortly after breakfast Mrs. Titus came downstairs very smartly gowned for the street. She announced that she was going into the town for an hour or two and asked ne to have one of the { Schmicks ferry her across the river. There was famous antique shop AR,1 esT1o wanted to browse awhile in search of brasses and bronzes-
 I looked at her aghast. I recognized the crisis, but for a moment was nm able to marshal my powers of resist ance. Noting my consternation, she calmly assured me that there wouldn't be the least danger of detections as she was going to be heavily yelled and very cautious.
 ssMy dear Mrs. Titus,1 murmured in my dismay, fit isn't to be consid cred am sure you won't persist in this when I tell you that Tamowsy's agents are sure tp see you andr
 She laughed. .sTarnowsy's agents! Why should they be here?'
 '-They seem to be everywhere
 can assure you there is none with in fifty miles of Schloss Rothhoefen. Our men are in the city. Four of them preceded me This morning I had MT. Bangs telephone to the hotel where the chief operative is staying-in the guise of an American tourist, and he does 1t very e1everIy for an Englishman too and he assures me that there is abso- lutely no danger. Even MT. Bangs is satisfied"
 q am forced to say that am by no means satisfied that it is a safe or wise thing to do, Mrs. Titus.s' said, with more drmness than thought I possessed.
 She raised her delicate eyebrows in most exasperating. well bred. admoni- tory way.
 q am quite sure. MT. Smart that Dillinghana is perfectly trustworthy detective. apd'
 stBut why take the slightest Hsk7'
 sIt is necessary for me to see Dill lingham, that is the long and short Of it.'' she said cold1y. 'sOne can't dis cuss things over a telephone, you know MT. Bangs understands. And, by the way, MT. Smart, have taken the lib. erty of calling up the central office of the telephone company to ask if they can run an extension wire to my dress ing room I shope you do not mind. ?
 Mot in the least should have thought of it myself 9
 sfYou have so much to think Of, poor mani And now will you be good enough to have Hawkes. order the man to row me across the''-
 seI am very sorry, Mrs. Titus, said ] firmly, 'sbut fear must declare my self. I cannot permit you to go into the town today
 She was thunderstruck- "Are you 1n earnest7s she cried after searching my face rather intently for moment.
 '.Unhappily, yes. Will you let me ex pIain'-
 saThe idear' she exclaimed as she drew herself to her full height and Withered me with look of surpassine scorn. "Am I to regard myself as g prisoner, MT. smart?'
 ssOh, beg of you, Mrs. Titus'- began niserably.
 Please answer my question"
 Her tone cut me like the lash of { whip. My choler rose
 q do not choose to regard myself ai a jailer. My only object in opposins this''-
 t'I have never known anything so ab surd.'' Two bright red spots appeared in her cheeks. ssYour attitude is mos extraordinary. However, I shall go t. the city this morning, MT. Smart Pra! give me the credit of having sens enough to An, CeIingraftT'
 The two sons appraaehed from th,