The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-10-01

dawn seemed set parposely above that
sapphire seat, Ike goddess. The poet
Muscari drew a deep breath as if he
were drinking something. Ezza studied
her with a gaze equally intense and far
more battling.
Miss Harrogaie was specially radiant
and ready for conversation on this oc-
casion; and her family had fallen into
the easier Continental habit. allowing
the stranger Muscari and even the
courier Ezza to share Their table and
their talk. In Ethel Harrogate con-
ventionality crowned itself with per-
lection and splendor of It's own.
They were in an eddy of excitement
about some alleged peril in the noun
tain path they were to attempt that
week.
They say" Ethel cried, with the
awful relish of q schoolgirl, that all
that country isn't ruled by the King of
Italy, but by the King of Thieves. Who
is the King of Thieves?''
"a great man." replied Muscari,
worthy to rank with your own Robin
Hood. signorina. Montana the King
of Thieves, was first heard of in the
mountains some ten years ago, when
people said brigands were extinct"
Nov that sort of thing" observed
the banker weightily. would never be
allowed in England; perhaps, after all,
we had better choose another route
But the courier thought it perfectly
safe"
at is perfectly safe" said the courier
contemptuously. 81 have been over it
twenty times. There may have been
some old jailbird called king in the
time of our grandmothers; but he be-
longs to history, if not to fable. Brig
andage is utterly stamped out
Then you propose to attempt it?"
asked Mr.. Harrogate, frownirg.
ooh, it sounds rather dreadful" cried
the girl turning her glorious eyes on
Muscari. "Do you really think the pass
is dangerous?"
81 know it is dangerous" he said. 81
am crossing it tonorrow."/
Tie younger Harrogate was left be-
hind for moment, emptying a glass
of white wine and lighting cigarette,
as the beauty retired with the banker,
the courier, and the poet distributing
peals of si1very satire. At about the
same instant two priests in the corner
rose-the taller, white-haired Italian,
taking his leave. The shorter priest
turned and walked toward the bankers
son; and the latter was astonished to
realize that, though a Roman priest, the
man was an Enghshman.
"Mr. Frank Harrogate, I think" he
| said. II have had an introduction, but
do NOT mean to presume on it. The
odd thing have to say will come far
better from a stranger. Mr.. Harro-
gate, I say one word and go: Take
care of your sister in her great sorrow"
DO you mean the brigands?" he
asked; and then, remembering a vague
fear of his own, "or can you be think
ing of Muscari?'
Zone is never thinking of the real
sorrow said the strange priest. "One
can only be kind when it comes"
And he passed promptly from the
room, leaving the other almost with his
mouth open.
The next day a coach containing the
company was really crawling and stag
gering up the spurs of the menacing
mountain range. Between Ezza's
CHEEKY denial of the danger and Mus
CARTS boisterous defiance of il, the
financial family were firm in their orig
inal purpose; and Muscari made his
mountain journey coincide with theirs.
A more surprising feature was the ap-
pearance at the coast-town station Of
the little priest of the restaurant; he
alleged merely that business led him
also to cross the mountains of the mid
land. But young Harrogate could not
but connect his presence with the mys-
teal fears and warnings of yesterday.
The coach was a kind of eommodious
wagonette, invented by the modernis;
talent OF the courier, who dominated
the expedition with his scientific activ-
ity and breezy wit. This theory of dan
ger from thieves was banished from
thought and speech; though so far con-
ceded in formal act that some slight
protection was employed. The courier
and the young banker carried loaded
revolvers, and Muscari (with much
boyish gratifcation) bucleIed on kind
of cutlass under his black cloak.
He had planted his person, at a flying
leap, next to the lovely Englishwoman
on the other side of her sat the priest
whose name was Brown and who was
fortunately. silent individual; tn,
! courier and the father and son were OF
the 6anc behind. Mdscari was in tow
ering spirits. seriously believing in tn,
~s-sy s~,5 b;e tsftr tr, EstLaI .1.:rrht ,.,a1