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

chest when the car had been persuaded
to run decently again.
They reached the outskirts of Bognor
after daybreak. 1t promised to be q
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 and
come back for us here" West said to
the chauffeur.
yes, sir. At what timer"
Midday" Lucchesi suggested. I'VE
ought to be through with the business
by them
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 cruising,
her graceful lines suggesting a speedy
craft.
They chartered an early boatman to
row them out; and early as 1t was the
yacht was evidently, awake, for. as the
boat approached, two or three men
came to the bulwarks to watch their
coming-rather astonished at the APP
pearance of the very early visitor.
THE count Is not on board" said
Lucchesi. 'They look surprised; they
do not expect him so early"
Il am not SO sure OF that" said West.
| They look as II they were all ready to
SAIL"
But that is natural, isn't Il? They
are ready to go directly he comes. You
are pessimistic. my friend"
| The boatman remarked that It look
ed as If she were going out with this
| tide. .r
When did she arrive?" West eagerly
asked.
The day before yesterday
AS they came alongside the skipper
| appeared.
Hello. What is It? Who are your
Detectives" said Lucchesi. I'VE
want Count Pietro. OF Tuscany"
There's no person of that name
about here"
There will be-" said West. 1--WE
have authority to search
I'm not going to stop you.' said
the skipper Were not nervous OF the
law on this craft. If you're going to
wait for this count you talk about. you
can send your boat back. I'll send you
ashore when you get tired of waiting. =
I'VE may have to wait some time
Lucchesi whispered to West.
Ricci was more prompt with n de-
cision.
"Thanksl" he said. tossing the boat
man a coin. I'VE snail not want yo..r
services any more"
The skipper sr1iled as they came on
deck, looked at them critically, and
suggested going to the saloon cab.n.
Il do not doubt your authority" he
said but It is as well should see it,
/ Valentine glanced quickly round him
and nodded his approval. He followed
lLucchesi and Ricci into the cabin, and
the instant he was inside was seized
| from behind so effectually that any
successful struggle was impossible. A
hand was slipped into his picket and
his revolver neatly taken from him
Then he was released. He looked
sharply at his companions, who stood
| by the table. No one had touched
| them. At that moment there was the
sound of movement on deck. the strain
of cordage and the rattle Of the anchor
chain. They were evidently getting
under way.
ed.
Lucchesi laughed.
"A little trickery. Signor West. a
little successful trickery. I am Pietro,
Of Tuscany. and my colleague. Ricci.
is the Signorina Contini. It is a pity
she should have been obliged to sac
rifics her beautiful hair for this enter
prise, but 1t was necessary. and the
hair will grow again.
| Ricci smiled and put his hand into
| the counts.
TT Is an outrage" said West quietly
sit down. signore. and let US talk
of this" Lucchesi said. BE frank
and admit there was to begin with an
outrage against us--the separation OF
lovers.
"Scheming must be met by schem-
ing. I stole the signorina from hei
prison at Cheltenham. but we were
still prisoners. Your government was
warned. We could not get away, The
ports were closed against us-keen
eyes were probably on the lookout for
US everywhere. Any Italian man and
| woman travelling together would be
| suspected. So we planned that the
government itself should help our es-
| cape. L applied to your foreign minis
ter. as an Italian detective, for help in
our search. You Joined US. With you
we could go anywhere. You knew we
were detectives. showed you a pho
tograph to misiead you. 1t was not OF
| the signorina. as you can see. Natur-
ter. She remained in our rooms, hiu
ing. but you must confess she played
her part well. Yet. even with. you. We
were afraid OF the trains. Again the
signorina persuaded you cleveriy anil
you decided a car was best. Perhaps
as we are. as two men, we might have
come alone to join the yacht. but
was afraid. The risk was too great
| Questions might be asked. and we would
not afford to be questioned. Signore
1 I shall presently have the pleasure OF
| presenting you to the signorina in her
true charactes We have started for
1 Spain. and it is necessary you go with
Il u.s."
TT should not be great hardship
/ The girl laughed.
"Signorina. 1 congratulate you on
your cleverness." said West.
We have beaten you. that makes us