The Washington times., 1919-05-03


lice, the embasSies,th chancelleries,
the rulers Of nations themselves. long
since grouped into two formidable
alliances radically hostile to one
another.
Il don't think you have under.
stOod-perhaps even yet you do not
understand why the papers you carry
are so important to certain gov
ernments-why IL Is impossible that
you be permitted to deliver them to
the Princess Mistchenka-
Where did you ever hear OF
her!" he demanded in astonishment.
The girl smiled:
Knows Princess Well
Dear Mr.. 'Neeland, I know the
Princess Mistchenka better, per-
haps, than you do"
DO you?"
Indeed 1 do. What do you know
about her? Nothing at all except
that she is handsome, attractive,
cultivated, amusing, and apparently
wealthy.
You know her as a traveller. a
patroness OF music and the fine arts
as a devotee Of literature. as a
graceful hostesss and an amiable
friend who gives promising young
artists letters OF introduction o
publishers who are in a position tc
offer them employment"
That this girl should know so
much about the Princess Mistchenka
and about his own relations with
her amazed Neeland He did not
pretend to account for Il; he did not
try; he sat silent, serious, and sur
prised. looking into the pretty and
almost smiling face of a girl who
apparently had been responsible for
three seperate attempts to kill him
perhaps even a fourth attempt;
and who now sat beside him talking
in a soft and agreeable voice about
matters concerning which he had
never dreamed she had heard.
For a few moments she sat silent,
observing in his changing express
sion the effects OF what she had
said to him. Then. with . smile:
ASK me whatever questions you
desire to ask, Mr., Neeland. I shall
do my best to answer them"
very we'll" he said bluntly;
how do you happen to know 50
much about me?'
II know something about the
friends OF the Princess Mistchenka.
] have to-"
Did you know who I was there
in the house at Brookhollow?"
No"
when, them"
when you yourself told me your
name, recognized it."
Surprised at BrOOkhOIIOw.
Il surprised you by interruptinS
you in BrookholloW?"
Yes"
You expected no interruption"
None"
How did you happen to go there7
Where did you ever hear OF the
olive-wood box7"
II had advices by cable from
abroad-directions to go to Brook
hollow and secure the box"
Then somebody must be watch
ing the Princess Mistchenka"
"Of course" she said simply.
Why of course?"
Mr.. Neeland, the Princess Mist
chenka and her youthful prOtegee,
Miss Carew-"
"What!!!"
The girl smiled Wearily:
Really" she said. you are such
a boy to be mixed in with matters
OF this color. 1 think that's the rea-
son you have defeated us-the
trained fencer breads a left-handed
novice more than any classic master
Of the foils.
And that is what you have done
to us-blundered-if you'll for
give me-into momentary victory.
But such victories are only
momentary, Mr.. Neeland. Please
believe it. Please try to under
stand, too, that this Is no battle
with masks and plastrons and nice
ly padded buttons. No; it is no
comedy, but a grave and serious
affair that must inevitably end in
tragedy-for somebody"
For me-" he asked without
smiling.
She turned on him abruptly and
laid one hand lightly on his arm
with a pretty gesture. at once
warning. appealing, and protective.
Trying to Protect Hin.
II asked you to come here" she
said "because-becauSe I want you
to escape the tragedy"
You want me to escape"
eyes"
Why"
lam sorry for you.
He said nothing.
"And-I like you. Mr.. Neeland."
The avowal in the soft. prettily
modulated voice, lost none Of its
charm and surprise because the
voice was a trifle tremulous, and
the girls face was tinted with q
delicate COLOR
Il like to believe what you say,
he said pleasantly.
Somehow or other never did
think you hated me personally
except once"
She flushed, and he was silent
her humiliation in the
house.
Il don't know" she said In \
colder tone. why 1 should feel at
all friendly toward you. Mr.. Nee
land. except that you are person
ally courageous, and you have
shown yourself generous under a
severe temptation to be otherwise.
As for-any personal humilia-
tion-inflicted upon me-" She
looked down thoughtfully and pre-
tended to sort out a bonbon to her
taste. while the hot color cooled
in her cheeks.
II know" he said. I've also jeer-
ed at you, jested, nsgged you.
taunted you, kiss" He checked
and he smiled and ostenta- q
tiously lighted a cigarette.
A Strange Week, Indeed.