Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1919-11-06
CHAPTER XIV.
Inheritance.

tho northern tower OF melbourne 1ail,
the Earl locked the door and turned
up the lights with the air Of man
who has a considerable task before
him and must make the most Of the
hours of grace remaining.
He, was very pale and greatly
changed since he had returned from
London three hours ago. Some would
have perceived in his manner, not the
evidences Of fear but Of displeasure.
and such displeasure as events border
ing upon tragedy alone could provoke.
Uttering but one harsh instruction to
he servant who answered his bell.
he sat at his writing table and for a
full hour turned over the pages of 4
diary which had not seen the light for
twenty years or more.
Georges Odin! How the very name
could seize upon his mind to the ex.
slnsion of all other thoughts. Sitting
there with the ume-stained papers be-
Aore him, the Earl was no longer In
Derbyshire but out upon the Carpath-
Aans, youth Of the West craving for
he excitements of the East; a hunter
upon brave horse. the friend OF bril-
sands and Of outlaws-drinking deep
of the intoxicating draughts OF free
Com and debauch. Well and truly
had this young Count whom Fate had
sent to his door. reminded him Of
these scenes he had made 1t his life's
purpose to forget
"zallony, my lord" the Count had
said. "Zallony still lives and you were
one of his band. They tell Of your
crimes to this day. The mad Eng
lshman who carried the village girls
70 the hills-the mad Englishman who
drank when no other could lift the
cup--the mad Englishman who rode
out Of Bucharest in bandits cloak
and :tved the Bohemian days Of which
the very gypsies were asian |. Shall
tell you his name? 1t would be that
of my fathers murderer"
And the answer had been q cring-
ing evasion.
II met Georges Odin in fair fight.
He was the better man. l could show
the scars his sword left to this day.
OF what do you accuse me? They
sent him to prison-well, did not
make their laws. He died there.
convict hborer IN the salt mines. Was
It my doingf Ask those at the Min.
istry. We moved heaven and rth
to save him. The Governments rea-
SON was political one. They sent
your father to the mines because the
Russian Government-then all pow.
srful at BukhRre him to
be It's most dangerous enemy. His af.
fair with me was the excuse. What
had to do with TT"
But the Count persisted.
Your influence would have saved
him. You preferred to keep silent, my
lord. And ! will tell you more. It
was at your instigation that the Rou-
manian Government arrested my faith.
or In the first place. You wished for
revenge-I think 1t was more than
that. You were afraid that the WON.
an you married would find you out II
Georges Odin regained his liberty.
You were not sure that Dora d'Istran
did not love him. And so-you left
luckily for you both-to die before
she had read her own heart truly
That's what ] have come this long
way to tell you. To Robert Forester
i said. How should know that in
England they would make lord OF
such man! / did not know 1t: but
Oax 70 mo II the same. You shall
enswer my question or pay the price.
~ lord, have brains of my own and
] can use them. You shall pay me
vAAt you Owe-you will be wise 10 do
The Earl did not vince at the threat.
Aer did his habitual self-control de.
ssrt him. His insight would have been
shallow indeed If he had not per-
eeived that he was face to face with a
dangerous enemy, and one with whom
10 might not tribe.
Put your question to me and ] will
answer It," he said doggedly. Re
Count. A word from me and my men
would set you where questions would
help you little. Speak freely while
have the patience to hear YOU" ~
''As freely as you could desire, my
lord. A wise man would not utter a
threat at such a time. Do you think
that ], Georges Odins son, do you
think that come to England alone? :?
All, my lord. how little you know me! (!
Open one OF your windows and listen
for the message my friends will de-
liver 10 you. come to you with
white gloves upon my hands. Ii Is
to ask yon, ny lord, in what prison
my poor father is lying at this mo-
MeDt Tell me that, help me to open
the gates for bin, and we are friends.
u will be time TO utter threats when
yo3 refuse"
The Earl's face blanchec at the
words bnt he did not Immediately re-
ply TO them. The story which the
young man told WAS too astonishing
that he should easily understand 1t.
t"Your father died in the fortress
of Krajova," he said al length. Il re-
n,ember that II was in the month OF
MI s. - A.