The Glenwood post., 1924-12-25

81
every one drinks-the English es-
pecially. That is so is 1t not7-
"That is So" Gerald admitted. n
shall drink to your good health,
B madame"
I "You may call me Elsa" she invited
graciously. coming over to his side
p with glass in her hand. I'VE will
drink to the success Of our enterprise" :"
Gerald accepted the glass and ex.
changed courteous amenities with his
hostess She eyed him with growing
favor.
ut Is pity that you are not staying
longer" she observed 1--WE might be-
come friends Who knows?"
"in that case" Gerald replied gal
lantly, II might have to quarrel with
Major Krossneys, and that would not
do at ALL"
She snapped her pudgy fingers A
man who had ten thousand pounds to
dispose of! What was Krossneysl
"DO you think" she scoffed, "that
| shall stay here with him If can get
hold Of half that sum you spoke Of?
| Not l !! I shall choose different COM
panion. l shall go to Monte Carlo. l
shall never enter this accursed country
| again Even to think of leaving II
makes me giddy with happiness. 1t
will he you who will be my deiverer.
Let MS drink again together"
Perhaps" Gerald suggested. "the
governor will not give up his prisoner"
Her exclamation of contempt was
almost shout. The very Idea, while
she secuted 1t as ridiculous, seemed to
! infuriate her.
| give him up!" she declared. "If he re-
fused-why. | would take him by the
bsaid-I would kill him ~
Her eyes were lit with cruelty. The
snar of an animal of prey twisted her
| lips. Then she burst into fit Of
laughter.
"Why do I make myself furious?"
she exclaimed "Why. Ivan would sell
every one of his hundred and thirty
seven prisoners for tenth part of the
money you speak of! Come, let us
he gay. will put something on the
| gramophone. You shall dance with
me. ves?"
"What about his excellency the gov
ernor?" Gerald asked.
Tile woman made little grimace.
You are perhaps right, size ac.
| quiesced. -"one must wait-wait until
everything is arranged. After that l
shall snap my fingers at Ivan He
wearies me. and he Is an old man.
VIII you take me out of the country.
M friend? We might to go into Po
u have friends at Warsaw"
re were heavy steps outside. She
up her hand as though to warn
him
at is the governor" she announced
at is Ivan Krossneys who arrives.
Mind. he Is very Jealous. Be careful"
Gerald. with all his nerves on edge,
was vet able to indulge for moment
in grim smile. The door was opened.
The maid poked her head in and NUT
tered something unintelligible. Close
behind her entered the governor of the
fortress.
TIE governor was large, cOrpulent.
unt'dv-looking man in an ill-fitting uni
fcrf. with coarse features and a strag-
g'irc beard. He clicked his heels to-
gether and made some pretense at a
military salute, as Elsa introduced her
visitor. She whispered a word or two
arnr' with him in Russian. and then
continued In French. which she spoke
a',"',rently with less ease than Eng
Iish
'"'iis gentleman she declared. has
n o~'nt affair Of business to discuss
w YOU. He was sent here by n
fr I of mine whose name | may not
CIV He is an Engl'shman pretending
+" an American hut that makes for
''''' He Ia entrusted with great
sr' r money for a certain purpose
~ the governors eyes flashed for
ont some reflection Of the rupd-
itv 'hich had cleaned In the wonmn's.
NJ was scarce in Russia: pay WIS
~, and irregular In coming The
r Of money whetted his int rest.
'fei me hear what this genileman
.l.a 20 say" he inv,ted
come with a very bold prop-
Gerald began. "but II is one
nope you VIII cNnSlU''' f"'r
Won have many pris"r"re IN
''trnss who nre Detained p. "
misfortune There nr ''
''hosc offenses arc rr'ivi"' '''c
-~ohahlv bc relcased s. '' IN
10 and who r,i~hi ius' ii
ms remain n. charge - ~"
rucnt."
seem. 10 know n o. %
nv nr'sonnrs " tho go'-
Il grnc'ousr "Nanv Of
wis Of the w""t ord"r
: not nne . i,een u-',
Mss with au'" Grr'
"t hanfe"e thai vo-
uNns'here who Is
- rl"ss ~ all He
V fripnds
&" The governor exci'i
~"
Hmn lrf. tn'n he
t,,f,f,