Evening star., 1919-03-16
By Percy James Brebner


lieve sharp lookout is being kept
for him by the local authorities
"Sgnore, no one knows that better
than the count. His spies have done
start from any of your London sta
tions He will go roundabout way.
We can easily be before him"
II should think So" said West. "A
late train should get US there IN
time"
He will not arrive until tomor-
row. so Ricci learned, Is it not so?'
I'VE shall be flrst," Lucchesi said.
I'VE go and wait for him on board.
shall be able to laugh at Pietro OF
Tuscany"
Il think I hear hatred in your
voice" said West, and turning to
Ricci. he asked: Am I not right?
Does he not hate the count?"
Just as I do" was the answer,
with a little hiss which surprised
Of hate far deeper than Lucchesfs.
West was puzzled. Were these two
engaged In a quest-a vendetta? He
looked from one to the other.
Lucchesi laughed.
I'VE are good haters and good low
ers, too. in the south" he said. 1T Is
our temperament--al little difficult for
you to comprehend. You are SO cold
In England"
II was wondering whether should
find myself obliged to protect the
count against you two"
"Ah. you have imagination, you
English. Ours Is not hatred of that
sort-only the kind that will make
us laugh at him"
I'm glad of that. Have you
tmetable?"
Your Bradshaw, which 1 cannot
understand"
II am not quite sure we are wise."
said Riccl. Because I threatened
them. and paid them, these Neapoli-
tans told me the truth, but for more
pay they will serve others against
us. 1t is possible they may warn
the count if they watch us and see
us leave for Bognor. 1 hate Pietro
or Tuscany, but ! do not deny his
something with them. No, l do not
like leaving openly in this way"
There is something in what Ricci
says Lucchesi remarked thoughtful
Much" said West. I'VE will motor
to Bognor Where is the nearest tele-
phone. | wonder?'
I'm the shop wn-stairs"
Lucchesi and West went down to-
gether and West phoned to a garage
after looking up the number in the
directory.
"A good car and a reliable chauf-
feur for long-distance run. That
ought to bring US what We want"
i
did not say where we were going. 1t
is well to be careful"
You think Of everything. signore."
mo, no, only of some things. Our
success. If we are successful. will be
due to your colleague, Ricci."
How can we fail?"
when I am most confident I am
most careful" said West. I'VE have .
proverb about not cooking your hare
before you have caught him.
II hope not"
while we wait for the car we will
drink to our success. We have Chi
anti Our wines do not travel we'll.
They are not here as they are in
| Italy. but something Of the native
| perfume remains In the bottle l shall
open. All. I know a wine you may
drink on the hills overlooking Vallom-
brosa: Sunshine, signore-liquid sun
shine!
The night was fine. The motor was
longer coming than they expected,
the chauffeur explaining that car
fitted for the journey was not in the
garage when the message arrived:
in the time. he said, and he knew the
road AS it happened the car did not
behave as we'll as he prophesied. Half
way through the journey the engine
considerable delay while the chauffeur,
with Vests assistance, attended to 1t.
So long as they arrived early in the
morning the Italian detectives were
not anxious. They were confident the
count would not reach the yacht until
later in the day. West, on the other
hand, showed considerable annoyance.
He cursed the car, the chauffeur and
the garage which had supplied them.
and was not to be appeased by Luc-
chest when the car had been per-
suaded to run decently again.
They reached the outskirts of Bog
nor after daybreak. 1t promised to be
fine breezy day. They had decided
not to drive on to the front; they did
not want to attract attention.
"You better get some breakfast ana
come back for US here" West said to
the chauffeur.
"Yes. sir. At what time?"
Midday" Lucchesi suggested I'VE
ought to be through with the business
by then"
They walked through the still-sleep.
ing town to the sea.
I'VE have not been deceived" said
! Ricci. pointing to the yacht lying out
some little distance from the shore,
!. a pleasure schooner built for cruis-
ing, her graceful lines suggesting a
: speedy craft.
They chartered an early boatman to
row them out: and early as it was the
yacht was evidently awake, for, as
:. the boat approached. two or three
mon came to the bulwarks to watch