The Washington times., 1917-09-16
PART I-(continuedl.

graceful wave Of his hand to the
table, and said:
sI pray you, be seated and sup how
YOU please. You will, 1 trust, excuse
me that do not join you. but have
dined already, and do not sup
handed him the sealed letter
which Mr.. Hawkins had entrusted 70
me. He opened 1t and read II graVeiy'
then. with - charming SMILE ne
gave Il to me to read. One passage
OF it, at least, gave me q thrill OF
pleasure:
s.I much regret that an attack OF
gout, from which malady I am con-
slant sufferer, forbids absolutely any
travelling on my part for some time
to come, but / an happy to say l can
send a sufficient substitute, one in
whom I have every possible conn
dence. He is a young man, full OF
energy, and talent in his own way,
and Of q very faithful disposition. He
is discreet and silent, and has grown
into manhood in my service. He shall
be ready to attend on you when you
will during his stay, and shall take
your instructions IN all matters"
The Count himself came forward
and took OF the cover of dish, and
1 fell to at once on an excellent roast
q salad and a bottle of old TosSay. Of
which I had two glasses. was my
supper. During the time was eating
Il the Count asked me many questions
az to my journey, and 1 told him by
degrees all I had experienced.
BY this time had finished my sup
Der, and by my hosts desire had
drawn up a chair by the fire and be-
gun to smoke a cigar which he offered
me. at the same time excusing himself
that he did not SNAKE. had now an
opportunity of observing him, and
found him Of q very marked physi-
oEnomy.
STRUCK BY THE COUNTS
PECULIAR APPEARANCE-
His face was 4 strong-a very
strong-aquiline, with high bridge of
the thin nose and peculiarly arched
nostrils; with lofty domed forehead,
and hair growing scantily round the
temples, but profusely elsewhere.
His eyebrows were very massive, al
most meeting over the nose, and with
bushy hair that seemed to curl in
fits own profusion- The mouth, 50 far
as 1 could see IT under the heavy
mustache. was fixed and rather
cruel-lool<ing, with peculiarly sharp
white teeth: these protruded over the
lips. whose remarkable ruddiness
showed astonishing vitality in man
of his years. For the rest. his ears
were pale and at the tops extremely
pointed; the chin was broad and
strong, and the cheeks firm though
thin. The general effect was one Of
extraordinary pallor.
Hitherto had noticed the backs OF
his hands as they lay on his knees in
the freight, and they had seemed
rather white and hne; but seeing
them now close to me, 1 could not
but notice that they were rather
coarse-broad, with squat fingers.
Strange to say, there were hairs in
the center Of the palm. The nails
were long and fine, and cut to q sharp
point As the Count leaned over me
and his hands touched me. could not
repress a shudder. 1t may have been
that his breath was rank, but hor-
rible feeling OF nausea came over me,
which, do what I would. / could not
conceal The Count, evidently no
ticinR it drew back: and with
grim sort of smile. which showed
more than he had yet don =
his protuberant teeth. sat himself
down again on his own side of the
fireplace. We were both silent for
a while; and as loo--ed toward the
window / saw the first dim streak
of the coming dawn. There seemed
a strange stiffness over everything;
but as I listened / heard as IL from
down below in the valley the bowling
Of many wolves. The counts eyes
cleaned, and be said:
COUNT HEARS MUSIC
IN HOwLING OF WOLVES.
HListen to them-the children OF
the night What music they maker
Seeing, suppose, some expression in
my face strange TO him, he added:
"Ah, sir. you dweIlers in the city
cannot enter into the feelings OF the
hunter" Then he rose and said:
But you must be tired. Your bed
room is all ready, and tomorrow you
shall sleep as late Cs you will. have
to be away till the afternoon: so sleep
and dream welli" With a courteous
bow, he opened for me himself the
door to the octagonal room, and I en-
tered my bedroom.
1 am all in a sea of wonders.
doubt; fear: think strange things
which 1 dare not confess to my own
soul. God keep me, II only for the
sake Of those dear to me!
May-It is again early morning,
but / have rested and enjoyed the
last twenty-four hours. slept till
late in the Cay, and awoke OF my
own accord When 1 had dressed my
self / went into the room where we
had supped, and found a cold break
fast laid out, with coffee kept hot
by the pot being placed on the
hearth. There was a card on the
table, on which was written:
~ have TO be absent for q while.
Do not wait for me.-D." ! set to and
enjoy q hearty meal. When had
done, looked for a bell, so that 1
might let the servants know I had
finished: but / could not find one.
There are certainly odd deficiencies
in the house, considering the extra
ordinary evidences OF wealth which
are round me. The table service Is OF
gold, and 50 beautifully wrought that
Il must be Of immense value. The
curtains and upholstery OF the chairs
and sofas and the hangings OF my
bed are Of the costliest and most
beautiful fabrics, snd must have been
Of fabulous value when they were
made. for they are centuries old,
though in excellent order. ] saw
something like them in Hampton
Court, but there they were worn and
frayed and moth-eaten. But still in
none Of the rooms Is there a mirror.
There Is not even a toilet glass on