The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-04-05

You are aware have colleague help
ing me?"
The minister told me So"
"Ricci-that is his name-Riccf is
young man of promise. He has not
my experience, but he knows your
London better than I do. He is at
this moment searching in your Italian
quarter. I holland Ricci is of like
opinion-that one man has not car
ried this scheme through by himself.
He has had helpers who have been well
paid, probably. 1t is as well to see IL
there are any in the italian quarter
who are making the money fly. You
agree. Signor West?"
"A clue might be found that way
certainly"
I'VE labor under great disadvan-
tage." the italian went on. I'VE may
not be public. If we might. the thing
would be easy. Count Pietro is a strik-
ing man. not easily passed by unnotic-
ed, aad the girl-you shall see. have
not a portrait of the count. but of the
signorina-yes. Look. 1t is a face to
stand out from the crowd. is it not?'
He took a photograph from his pock
ct and passed it to West-the picture
of a girl very dark. with large eyes,
appealing and seductive. From the
photograph West would not have pro-
nounced her a beautiful woman, but
her coloring might be brilliant; and
besides, an Italians idea of beauty
would probably not coincide with an
Englishman's.
she looks more than eighteen" he
said.
In the south we mature earlier than
you DO here" was the answer. she is
tall, mas a bearing above her station,
and has a reputation for beauty. If
we GOULD publish that portrait in your
papers it might be easy to find her.
People would have seen her and would
give information. Only We must not
make a public case of it. That is for
hidden"
West studied the photograph for
few moments. then handed it back
There are one or two possibilities
which you do not seem to have con-
sidered,' said West; 'at least they
occur to me- OF course you may have
information which makes them i'm
possible. First, your government may
be responsible for the disappearance of
the g.gnorina with the idea of making
it impossible for the count to find her.
Tho government may have become
aware there was a chance of his doing
That is not possible" was the an
swer. .
TT is marvellous what things are pos
sible to a government-any govern
ment" said West with a smile.
TT Is not so in this case. Should
be here with Ricci? We are here for
the government, secretly. Our instruc-
tions were most precise I do not
know how 1t may be here. but with US
It IS impossible"
We'll rule out that idea then" said
West. My other idea is that the dis
appearance has nothing to do with fhe
count at all, and is the result of some
other intrigue altogether. The count
take it, is pretty much like other men,
and is young enough to love easily and
forget, and the lady may also have
grown tired
"Ah, you do not know US, signorei
Love is grand passion with US. You
do not know Count Pietro; he is not at
all the man you imagine. He is deter
mined, unreasoning, will allow nothing
to stand in his way. sees obstacles only
to overcome them. There is no doubt
this affair Is the counts" And then
the Italian swore and roundly abused
Pietro of Tuscany.
You do not like him. evidently"
said West.
NO"
He has done you some injury per-
haps."
Perhaps"
surely, surely. he did not rob you
Rof the signorina?" said West, WONDER
ing if he had touched the keynote of
tae mystery.
"Ah, no." said the Italian. There is
a lady at Pisa: He has not robbed me
of love. this count say no more. only
this: am glad to be employed on this
business-glad that 1 shall help to
bring his plan to ruin
I'VE have not begun to succeed yet"
said West.
But tonight we begin" was the an
swer II expect Ricci to have infor-
nation. Shall we meet tonight. sig
more? We are in rooms. Ricci and 1,
in Shaftesbury avenue. a poor place
but we did not wish to attract atten-
tiQn. 1 am known to the count. have
no wish that he should know I am in
London. VIII You visit US tonight?
1t is better than meeting publicly, and
you are not likely to. be watched, as
we might be. We can listen to what
Ricci has to say and then we can act.
I have my theory already. We shall
see whether it fits with what Ricci will
tell u.s."
Certainly will be with you. At
present I confess I am without any
conviction
For man. so hopelessly at fault. as
he confessed to be. Valentine West
spent thoughtful afternoon. smoked
innumerable cigarettes, and was an
noyed that Cheltenham was too far off
to visit before keeping his appoint
ment. There were one or two leading
questions he swoul1 like to have ask I'd
at the school from which the signorini
had fled. He would go down and ask
them tomorrow. perhaps. Some one
must have connived at her escape or
she had been badly guarded.
The minister's warning to remember