The Washington times., 1918-06-02

his companion by the shoulder.
"Is this one Of the men who attacked
you?" he asked the servant
The man was trembling all over.
Il am not sure" he answered.
Tell the truth, you fool" the other said
bluntly. you were not attacked at all.
l was one Of the three who helped to tie
you up"
The man stepped back. looking more
scared than ever. Knox took his COM
Panion by the arm. pushed open the doof
Of the Counts room and entered. The
Count was lying on the sofa-and BY his
side was Miss de Hagon. For a moment
Knox was speechless. Then he collected
himself
Sir" he asked, 'is this one Of the men
concerned in the robbery"
The Count rose slowly to a sitting posi-
ton. He looked at the young man blank
ly. Miss de Hagen had eyes for no one
but Knox. 1t was ap amazing meeting"
"Guido!" the Count faltered "Gui6o!"
'You know him?" Knox exclaimed.
Guide! My nephew Guido!" the Count
repeated. What are you doing here7'
Knox began suddenly to feel less sure Of
his ground. Then, however he remembered
the quarrel in the road
He threw open the door and dragged in
the kit bag. He undid the straps and
leaned 1t :. little on one side. Several s,l-
yer articles rolled out onto the hocr. Sud
denly the Count rose to his feet and came
staggering across the room He fell on his
knees. HIS hands, clawlike. dug down into
the bag. Then he staggered to his feet.
In his hands he held a roll Of canvas.
'The pictured" he cried "My picture.
Ny pictured"
He held it out at arms length. gazing at
it. His face was suddenly transhgured.
The tears were in his eyes, his voice was
choked.
'It is the pictured" he sobbed. "My
Lucrezia!"
He staggered back to the other end Of
the room. He held it up that every one
might see.
"Behold% he continued, more calmly,
''the treasure Of my housel The treasure
Of my lifel You see it, sir? You, Adele,
you know it we'll It is Andrea del sarto.
the painter himself! See, he sits with his
wife before the easement. They look TO
gether upon Florence. Look at the history
Of his life shining from his sad eyes l tell
you," he went on, raising his voice hysteri-
9ally, there's no work Of art in the world
which speaks as that speaks, my one COM
panion year by year. day by day. minute by
He sank back exhausted. Miss de Hagon
turned to Knox.
Il do not understand this, she said .'I
do not understand how yo1 came here. I
do not understand what Guido is doing
here. But this picture hich you have
to my uncle has n the joy Of
his life for may years"
"He had no Igft to ,rir rom Italy
he young n y declare - -. T. He had
40 right. } belongs to OF IT. s..
The CouE sat up.
You lie!" he cried. 5e.on-s to me
so long as / am the head # ne house As
= my right to bring it from Itsly, who shall
iare gainsay it? I have Drought it here
lot for profit, not to sell, out because il
was part Of my life When pass away Il
'omes to you, Guido. Nothing can alter
hat But while I live the picture is
nine"
Miss de Hagon pointed to .he open bag.
But what" she asked lis the meaning
If this? / do not understand
1t Is very simple" the young man said
srtmly. Il came over here because they told
ne there was a danger Of the picture being
Old. | came to him." he added, pointing to
he Count "He turned me away But had
een the picture. The spell was upon me.
meant to have it. l found out these two
men. They we're said to be burglars. I
oined with them. | was tHld that thpv
we're experts. They were bunglers-miser-
Ible, ignorant bunglers. Yet we got away
few hours more and should have been
N my way to Italy with the picture around
ny body"
Miss de HagOn turned to Knox.
Il still don't understand what you are
ioing here" she complained almost pite-
usly.
My luck again." said Knox. 81 met this
gentleman when his car had broken down"
He threw open the door. There was a
curious sense of emptiness outside. They
'ang bells-it was useless. Miss de HagOn
,ame out to join him. They wandered
'ound the house. II was empty. The man
md his wife had fed. When they re-
urned, the young man was on his knees.
lis uncle's hand upon his shoulder
81 have forgiven" the Count said. AT,
er ALL it was for the pictures sake. Guiro
will live with me for a little time. He
hall share it with me, and when | die il
S his"
''All this for pictured" Knox murmured
n Miss de Hagon's ear.
"Ah!" she sighed. "hnt thew are Of the