The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-04-29
FICTION

particular charge, the crown prince, na0 been kept out of danger; he had had no authority to act as guardian to Evadne. His majesty left orders for the suitable re- warding of the Pole, ascertained that the baroness had every attention, and went back to Gailima with his feeling toward the embassy considerably cooled. In his view "old Glanz'' had been culpably negligent, and he was intimating automatically at headquarters that the ambassador was no longer persona grata in Kilistria.
 Varley, waiting outside the bungalow for Ra on a fine afternoon, was wondering, as he strolled and smoked, how to make some move in the direction of finding out more of the transmitter of the secret message. The illustration of his plan to go up to Kyriel Moor vexed him a good deal The memory of Beruna's face, of the courage and the terror which had fought each other in her glorious eyes when she looked at him, was. extraordinarily vivid Ever since he came to Kilistria, he had been so attracted by the princess that he had had no eyes for other women; but he had seen this peasant girl under circumstances of an unusual kind, and he had to confess that ever since she had haunted his thoughts, waking and sleeping. Except for the strenuous hour when he had believed the princess lost, Beruna has never been out of his mind..
 As he unused and doubted, he saw old Mistitch approaching. The headman was looking worried and held letter in his hand.
 "What now, old dog?" asked Humphrey affectionately.
 Mistitch halted, lifted his red cap and scratched his tousled poll. Here's let ter,' he grumbled, land it can't be de- livered. A letter from her highness to that Polish waiter, to thank him for saving her life. A present inside it, to judge by the feel of the thing" He contemplated the packet gloomily, passing his thick fingers over it. And he's not to be found. There's money his majesty left for him, and now there's this; and the tricky devil has van- ished."
 Vanished? That's surprising" cried Var ley. Doesn't Rastitch know where he is?" of his clothes are there still, so they think Rastitch says the fellow has not been back at all since the night of the storm. A few
 "Well," said Varley impatiently, "but he may come for them. I sent down note two days ago, telling him there was some- thng for him if he could come and fetch it.. Today l began to wonder" More head scratching.
 "Well," said Varley impatienlty, Abut Anton must know where he is."
 Mistitch looked surprised. Anton? Oh no, he doesn't. Why should hep
 He was last seen in Antcn's company, I gather"
 "Oh, yes. But Anton does not know where he went. He showed him the way up the cliff and directed him toward the high road to the railway station. He said he was going to Gailima."
 "Hav'
 "Yes-ha"' said Mistitch, half mocking. "As you say, sir. I should not wonder if letter addressed care of the embassy were to reach him. I find that Rastitch knows nothing of him, except that he came and offered his services few days before ar- rival of the embassy, when the hotel staff was not made up, and they were glad to take on anybody"
 daQ ne no referenceS!"
 "He gave some hotel in Warsaw, where he said he had passed the winter. But don't believe Rastitch took it up.''
 "That seems mighty careless of Rastitch, with embassies about"
 "All these Klistrians are alike. We are too honest and too simple. We always get done."
 Varley was staring meditatively at the headman his own month r,oLorod ;n4. :.