Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-06-21

Marishka asked
her Hugh Renwick--his note to her
this stranger with the remarkable eyes
who always smiled Where was the
missing link--what the deduction? But
1t was no time in which to lose ones
courage. She turned toward the man
beside her who was regarding her
calmly.
"who are you?" she asked
His eyes narrowed slightly as he
looked past her out of the window. Then
The Countess Strahni is well within
her rights in asking that question. 1 am
Captain Leo Goritz."
found herself repeating her question.
He deliberated a moment.
II see no reason why should not tell
you.' he said at last. II do not desire
misconception of my personal motives.
which / beg you to understand are OF
the highest. am merely carrying out
my orders to bring the Countess Strahnl
with all dispatch within the borders of
the German Empire"
"You-you are" she paused in dis
may.
"Of the German Imperial Secret Serv-
ice." he said quickly.
Marishka sank back into her seat I
breathless, with apprehension. the warn
ings of the hated Herr Windt ringing
in her ears.
4
scribbled note which had not left her
fingers
II regret, Countess. that the situa-i
ton made deception necessary. One
of my men In the tree above the chfm-t
ney My orders were urgent"
Marishka glanced about the machines
helplessly. her thoughts. in spite of her.
self. recurring to Hugh Rcnwick. who
must before long discover her abscnce{
and guess its cause. But there seemeds
no chance of escape. TO open the door
and leap forth into. the road at this
speed was only courtins injury. and the
seemed only the mask for a~resolute-s
ness of purpose with which she could !
not dare to cope. To cry out seemed+
equally futile for the road was deserted
occupants of which were country l0VfJ&
who only stared duly as they passe4&
But in flash the inspiration came N
her. Germany! Germany could heiI
her carry out her purpose to warn Thu
Duchess before she reached SarajevoH
She glanced at her companion an
found that his brown eyes had turned
as though by prescience TO hers, y.
Captain Goritz," she stammered. IT,
L seem to be in your power. WHAT
ever your authority for this--this re-,
traint of my liberty submit myself
II regret that the Countess Strahni
should, have been put to this inconven-
ience."
Il Deg tndL you Will spare yOuTSclL
meaningless civilties. I do not know
the meaning of this outrage"
'"rhe Countess Strahni Is far too
clever to suppose that ] can believe
her" he put in quickly.
|. What do you mean:
Merely that an intelligence that can
throw central Europe into a turmoil;
and he laughed pleasantly, does itself
and me too little credit"
.'Oh. you know she sasped
Yes, l know.
She examined Captain Goritz with
new interest
of my visit to Konopisht." she went on
desperately.
II confess" he said slowly, that
your sudden departure from Vienna
II will tell you" She went on ex-s
citedly. II came to konopisht to warn
the Archduke Franz of plot to as
sassinatee. him when he reaches Sara.
"Ah,, So that" Captain Gorits
and faced her eagerly in an attitude
OF sudden n1eI asrtIsss ssrbsn;. ne asked .0.rnv
MOI" Loyalty stified her lips.
~ see.'' And then keenly. AUS
trian-as a result of your disclosures
She eyed the man in amusement. He
"A piotw@" she stammered. 81 do
not know-I came to warn them--thsi
vented from doing So They. .sio'
gasped again-'those who plan this da.s.'
tardly thing are powerful--they control
the telegraph. There was no way to
Herr Windt--?"
She nodded. You know--he acts for
them. He kept me in the cabin until
1t was too late"
Il understand He nodded. his
brows tangled in. thought. There can
be no other explanation
u heard; | saw-baek there In the
friends. oh. don't you understand? He
would 6o something's" ts
Captain Goritz had sunk lower into his
seat and with folded arms was casing
At the back of the man in front Of them.
f! but under his frowning brows his eyes
glowed with initiative. G#
What you tell me is serious
so serious that l beg youAwul listen
The Duchess was my friend,-I heard
But ! did not know" she went %,
breathlessly. conscious only Of the Tn
of the man beside her perhaps to az
her. II could not know that ] should
be betrayng Eer-the friend of hfeS
ime,O sts this did my 9s,In duty yo as 49,. ssw =
stranger-an enemy perhaps-because y
/ is in your power 10 help-to prevent
this terrible thing. Think! Think lt
duty to the One Who shares with Fren9
Ferdinand the secret of the rose garden
his friend. and IL God SC wills--ula
| ally. 1t is all SO terrible-sp bewilder~
ing. But you must see that ! am -
| earnest-that am speaking the truth:
Yes. yes" he said abstractedly. net
ding. and then was silent, while tho
machine went numbering northwar'1s
every moment taking them further from
Marishka's goal. She watched his fno4
anxiousIy for a sign. His eyes glowe4
somberly but he did not move or glance
! deep as hers. For an age, he sat there
like stone figure, but size had the ~
j stinct not to speak, and after q Will
he Strengthened. leaned quickly forwer
and threw down the window in front g
| them. y
What is the village before us. Kar<.
| he asked in quick tones.
"Beneschau, Herr Hauptmann." <I
There IL a road to BrunnT