The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1916-09-16

'Is this Mr. Stephanski?" Morton
inquired politely.
1T iss,' was the none too gracious
answer. ''Vot ISIS it dot you vish?"
Il have learned from Mr.. Dawson
said Morton, that you bought a work
on chemistry at the auction this
morning. 1 am a collector of scien-
tific books, and if this book is what
I think it is, 1 would like to make
you an offer for it. Could 1 have a
look at it?"
1T iss true dot ! hat such a book
this morgen purchased" was the an
swer. 81 will it to you show gladly.
But first I must der room more pre-
sentabIe make" and he closed the
door in their faces. Could they have
looked within they would have seen
Stephanski throw back the thread
bare carpet which covered the floor
Of his little dining room and raise
a trapdoor which evidently gave &C
cess to the cellar. Then, moving al
ways with the utmost caution, he took
from work bench in the living room
a round metal object, about the size
Of a grapefruit, descended through
the trapdoor into the cellar, and
placed it gently on a shelf upon which
reposed a number Of other globes
precisely similar. Ascending to the
dining room again, he closed the trap
door and drew the carpet over it.
Now he said, reappearing at the
front door, der room more present
able looks. Will you come in?"
This continued Stephanski, 'iss
der book"
With undisguised eagerness Morton
threw it open, while Olga leaned over
his shoulder. There was no trace of
the lost formula. Meanwhile Stephan
ski watched them narrowly. Olga,
glancing up, happened to catch his
eye. For a moment she stared at him
unbelievingly; then:
'Tvanl Ivan Stephanski!" she
cried; don't you know me?"
For long minute the old man re-
turned her stare, searching her every
feature; then recognition suddenly
dawned.
"OIga, O1ga!" he exclaimed, and,
dropping on one knee, as a courtier
kneels to queen, he pressed his lips
to Countess Ivanof's hand. There
ensued between the two an excited
dialogue in a language which Morton
though unable to understand it, rec
ognized as Russian.
She broke off suddenly and stood
listening.
There's a motor stopping in front"
Morton stepped across to the win
4 nd 81, oil 1Iunco1f Io[ind tho
curtain, peered out He swore softly.
Its the Burke girl, with her friend
the naval officer and that One-armed
sailor. They certainly didn't waste
much time in getting here. They
mustn't know that we're here. Tell
your bewhiskered friend to tell them
that Mr.. Stephanski is away and
won't be back until ten o'clock. That
will give US time to decide what to
do"
The old Russian went to the door.
"Is Mr. Stephansh at homer Hope
demanded.
''Nein, he ISIS away" was the curt
answer. He will at ten o'clock re-
turn and the door was abruptly shut.
There's nothing left to do but
to return to the city and have din
ner," said Hope as he rejoined his
companions.
81 hate to leave you alone, Cleo"
said Hope, as they were finishing their
coffee, but I must run out to the
Preside On some official business.
won't be away much more than an
hour. though. and I'll surely be back
to start for Stephanski's by ten
For Cleo, whose entire girihood had
been passed with her father in the lit
tie Valdayia cottage, it was no hard
ship to be left for an hour or so in the
hotel. The hustle and excitement Of
the great lobby proved SO entertain
ing, indeed, that it was with astonish-
ment that, happening to glance at the
great clock above the stairs, she saw
the hands pointed to twenty minutes
after ten And neither Hope nor Hook
had returned What could have de-
tanned them? What should she do?
StephansH was to return at ten
O'Clock. And already it was twenty
minutes after. She would keep the
appointment herself.
when Lieutenant Hope and Mr..
Barnacle return, please be sure and
tell them that I could not wait for
them and have gone to Edgemere road
and that they are to follow me-" she
instructed tbs clerk at the desk
The failure OF Cleo's two friends to
rejoin her at the hour agreed upon was