New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1918-06-28

could enter intelligently into the con-
~versation. and presently they were con-
versing like friends. There was a Sc
cret, evidently. and that secret none
Of those who were In 1t intended to
reveal to those who were not but they
admitted that M of themselves-the
second brother Of six-had gone to
Ventimlglia Ostensibly with a load Of
eggs to dispose Of. but really upon q
different errand. He had got rid Of
bis eggs-that val proved by the
emptiness Of the boxes. Then he had
picked up a passenger-a lady. She
was the daughter Of an old friend. to
whom the family had been deeply In
debted In years gone by-indebted. In
fact. for their escape from Russia In
n time of terrible danger. Nothing that
the Ravellis could have done for that
friend and for his daughter would have
been too much; yet-she was gone,
her belongings ~ransacked, her blood
stained glove pinned to the reins. The
sole comfort was that, If she were
dead, Loris Ravelli must have died in
trying to save her.
It seemed that hours must have
passed since Scarlet Runner and the
driverless cart had SO nearly cOme
into collision; but 1t was not an hour
yet, when the door of the kitchen was
unbarred and three out Of the five
Ravellis accompanied their guests
late prisoners-to Christopher Races
motor-car. Two stayed behind.
The Ravellis had an idea where to
60. 'They" would be anxious to get
away with "her," were she living or
dead, and the papers they must have
found in the opened bag.
"She" was called Alexa. Whoever
she was-whatever her errand-her
coming had had to be kept SO secret
that she was to have been hidden in
a kind of cave under the empty egg
boxes, and her conductor had trusted
to the familiarity Of the douaniers with
his cart and his frequent errands to
let the wagon pass back across the
frontier without a thorough examina-
ton.
More than once the brothers said:
"At least Loris will have died for her"
I'VE don't wish to know your secrets,
but tell us one thing" said Chris
TOPPER. us this lady a person polite
ally important, or merely Of impor-
lance to private interests?"
"She is of great importance polite
ally-nOt here. but in another coun-
try" answered Michael Ravelli.
1T would be worth a good deal Of
trouble, then, and a large expenditure
Of money to people in high position to
get her back tO-that country?"
"Yes," Michael admitted.
"Then l don't believe they will risk
travelling by train," said Christopher.
by motor for a short distance, per-
haps, but not far. Knowing nothing
Of us and u car, they might calcu-
late on a few hours before you could
possibly follow. Doesn't it occur to
you that a yacht would suit their pur-
pose better than anything elseT
Michael half sprang up in his seat
beside Christopher, who was driving.
"A yacht" he echoed. "You are
right. They would have a yacht"
"The yacht would lie in Mentone
harbor," said Christopher thoughtfully.
ut Is as If you spoke on inspira.
ton" cried Michael.
They paid small heed to the greasi-
ness Of the road now, or the sharp and
turns, risking a smash, and
thinking only of the end they had to |
gain.
HAS another motor passed lately?"
asked Christopher, with a careless air,
of the sleepy douanier at the French
frontier, between ventimiglia and Men.
tone.
"One got away not half an hour ago"
was the answer.
"HOw many talked with you-one
man and q chauffeur"
1.-Two men and a chauffeur"
"Was there no one else in the mo.
There vas a lady asleep inside"
6ChtACLhCA o0A0 AOlAAAuS uOOOt i
their destination"
Nothing"
Scarlet Runner sped on towards
Mentone, and made straight for the
.arbor. Out of season as 1t was, there
were two yachts In pOrt-one small
one, and a fine, large craft which had
got up steam and was ready to 60 out.
At sight Of her lights in the distance
slowed down Scarlet Run.
ner and stopped the engine.
"What yacht is that?" he asked the
h~arbor-rlaster. whom he sought when
he had left his automobile in charge
IF the youngest Of the Ravelli brothers.
"Nadege, belongs to a Russian Prince.
Been here a week." came the reply.
"What's she waiting for?" Christie
,her seemed to reflect aloud.
"Been waiting for an automobile
which she's to take or board" said the
larbor-master. TITS come now, and
going to ship it from a pom
The motor-car was drawn up near a
close to the edge Of the quay,
Ind late though it was, a knot Of three
II four idle onlookers had collected to
watch the sailors. Christopher and
3aria Joined the group. A chauffeur
'tood by the bonnet. absorbed In the
Preparations to sling the automobile.
As the Russians did not dream that
,ursuers from the Roya Valley could
arrive before their departure,
hey were of guard for the moment,
md there was nothing to prevent
Christopher and Baria from going