Evening star., 1925-09-06
The Borgia Touch
By E. Phillips OPpenheim

to Monaco lay basking in a
glorious flood of spring sun
IL shine. The mimosa was in full
bloom and the towering
shrubs from the villas around Cap
Martin shook their voluptuous fra
GRANGE into the softly moving air.
From her balcony, Judith leaned. in
an exquisite neglige. and sang Joy
fully the strain of the Neapoltan ditty
which was then the air of the moment
in the cafes-a song of love, and
flowers, and passion. She looked over
her shoulder and called back through
the French windows.
Hurry, Joseph, I've something to
show you.''
Londe presently appeared Fle
turned his face seaward for a moment
and drew in long breath of the
lemon-scented air. Afterward he
looked down at the little quay, close
to which yacht lay at anchor.
The south wind has gone. then, ="
he observed. with satisfaction. Il like
it better when the Judith lies close
at hand"
POOH she laughed. You never
forget"
He turned and seated himself at
the round breakfast table whose
dainty appurtenances glittered in the
sunlight.
Well what is It you want to show
me?" he asked absently watching the
curve of Judith's white arm as she
lifted the coffee pot.
With the other hand she pushed
an illustrated paper across to him.
and pointed proudly to the open page.
Me- she exclaimed. What do
you think Of me, Joseph? Am ! not
beautiful
F,,II II, l.
for a moment, blankly. 1t was a
photograph of Judith. taken at a
happy moment-Judith. exquisitely
gowned. brilliant, happy. A man in
tennis clothes was standing talking to
her. 1t was entitled-'Mrs. Broadbent
and the Vicomte d'Aix. on the tennis
courts at Monte Carlo
You let them take this" he NUT
tered, staring at the picture.
why not?" she answered happily.
See how beautiful I look. Joseph. "
How shall you like to wear the
asylum clothes again." he asked
roughly.
Asylum. Joseph. don't be hor-
rihle..'' she exclaimed.
II mean 1t" he went on, his voice
shaking with suppressed anger.
Coarse flannel next your skin. and
bath with yellow soap once a week. 4"
child who has been scolded.
Don't you suppose they'll see that
picture in London, and know that we
are back in Monte Carlo?" he went
on bluntly.
Don't you remember that we have
enemies. the business of whose fife
1t is TO track us down? Worton.
through whom / might have been a
sane man at this moment, If you
- H. l. 4
susceptibility-Wor and the grub
hing cipher reader. who escaped at
the last moment, and the girl who
had father.
HnON'T you know they are hunt.
~ ing for us. all of them? They
are fools. but even fools blunder into
success sometimes. They were here
looking for US. only in January be-
cause of that affair of the young man.
We have had rest-two months.
practically in hiding. Now. directly
we get back again where there are
some interests in life for me, you
beckon to them, back in England. to
come and start the chase. again. You
foolr'
She. sprang away from him. Her
beautiful eyes were still wet with
tears and her lips quivering.
II am very sorry, Joseph" she
sobbed. You know that sometimes
I don't think. 1t seems to get more
difficult every day. and | cannot re-
member. Of course it was very foolish
of me. That awful place! 1t comes
back to me now. Horrible
She wrung her hands. He contem-
plated her with gloomy satisfa ction.
Her agony pleased him.
You're getting worse" he pro-
nounced.
at is true" she faltered. There
are times when i cannot think. when
! feel the clouds coming. Save me-
Joseph! You are so clever. You can
do something
He sat with clenched fists. gazing
over the Mediterranean. He tasted the
whole bitterness of fore knowledge.
''Of what account are you. after
al?" he muttered. Here am /. a
different order of being altogether Fit
for any position in the world. save for
that one tiny clot of madness. one
evil pinprick. which nothing can
move. | could be a master of sci.
ence. | have all the knowledge those
others strive for. have vision.
was made to be their master And
here l am, all the time lodging fate
with the cunning of a lunatic, waiting
IoT the ndnQ upon my ShOuldef,
She was almost in Mysteries now.
Don't let them take me, Joseph
she cried, again and again.
He waved her away. He was think
ing again.
Suddenly the villa gates swung to-
The sound of horses hoofs reached
their ears from the drive. Judith
lifted her head eagerly expectantly
All the gloom and sorrow had passed.
She clapped her hands.
1T Is Armand" she cried 1T is
the vicomte. How beautifully he
rides, and what a lovely horse"
Londe rose to his feet.
"Amuse yourself with him for a
time, he advised. II must go and
think"
Ann stepped off the train at Monte
Carlo, with fifty pounds in her
# H.