Evening star., 1926-02-14
INSTALLMENT LVI.
One Cp for TrentinO.

One Up 1Or lfentinO.
Mr. WegGes piloted Sir Hargrave
toward the waiting automobile. and
they commenced to climb out OF Monte
Carlo.
Where are we going to-" Hargrave
demanded.
Mr.. Wegges produced a cigar and lit
II. His fingers which held the match
were not quite steady.
Excuse my smoking he begged.
This sort of business is rather out of
my line" -,
You keep within the law as rule" ="
IIargrave suggested dryly.
Il haven't stepped outside it yet in
the present instance" was the earnest
retort MY client is all for friendly
settlement If that can't be arrived
at-well. so far as I'm concerned, L
step right out. When it comes to law
breaking I'm through. That's clearly
understood between Trentino and my
self
abduction is generally considered
to be an offense against the law, Har-
grave observed.
There has been no abduction, Mr..
Negges announced emphatfcally. The
Young lady accepted with pleasure my
Invitation to a supper party. she went
of her own free will. and l guess she'll
come away all right when we're
through
Il think ] can imagine where were
going to- Hargrave remarked, glanc-
ing through the window.
He leaned a little forward, his long
frame tense. Wegges OWNED his half
formed intention, and laid his hand
upon his arm soOthingly.
II wouldn't do anything rash. II I
were you" he begged earnestly.
"Andre Trentino's a dangerous man
at ali times. but he's a tiger tonight.
You don't want to bring any trouble
upon the young lady
Got daughter of your own.
haven't you, Mr.. Wegges?" Hargrave
inquired.
II have, sir, and don't you think I'm
In any plot to bring harm upon your
ward" was the earnest reply. MY
job is to smooth things over so that
no trouble comes to any one. That's
why I'm in this business"
They turned off the main road up
the avenue.
to himself These damned women
never forgive"
The door of the villa was opened
almost as the car came to a standstill.
A man who might have been servant
but who wore no livery ushered them
in. Hargrave caught a glimpse OF
two more men in the background.
y /
Wegges invited, opening the door. Il
guess We'll find Trentino waiting
The room was one used by Nino oil
Bieni as a boudoir. fantastic in it's
decorations and filled with feminine
trif1es. Trentino was seated at a table
upon which were writing materials
and several documents. He looked up
as Hargrave entered, but neither rose
to his feet nor offered any form of
salutation. Nothing but a flash in his
black eyes betrayed his satisfaction.
You are just in time, Sir Har-
grave" he said. ito sign your name to
this document
chair, took the document into his hand
and read it through.
Il see," he murmured. Il am to
consent to sell you $4,000 shares in
the o. p. Trust at today's market
price little severe. that. isn't It?
I gave a great deal more for them.
Trentino smiled coldly.
You could have had better terms
yesterday" he said. Il offered you
far better terms last week. Condi-
tions now are a little changed.
I'm what respect?" Hargrave de-
manded
Trentino's hand toyed with the
drawer Of the writing table.
I'VE have a hostage"
do I understand your threat to be
that if I decide not to let you have
the shares, you intend to 1nf1ict some
personal harm upon Miss Martini
Hargrave inquired.
The attorney rose to his feet, but
Trentino waved him back to silence.
"Mr. Wegges," he explained. is not
in this particular business. Between
YOU and me there need be nothing but
plain words. If I can't get those
shares from you am broke. And If l
go broke 1 shall qualify for the little
cemetery you know Of down below.
That being so, what does it matter
what l do before l depart? l should
take good care not to leave the whole
game in your hands,
I'm plain words" Hargrave insisted,
charm would come to the young
lady?"
Yes"
The monosyllable was full of men
ace. Hargrave considered the situa-
ton. Trentino's hand resting inside
The drawer was probably grasping the
butt of an unseen weapon ana Iren-
tino in wilder days had possessed the
reputation of being a quick man with
gun Hargrave himself was natu-
rally unarmed. Standing on duty by
tho door was the muscular servant
who had let them in, and outside
we're at least two men. Actual resist
ance was out of the question.
Where is the young lady mar.
grave demanded.
I'm the next room." Trentino re-
piled. You can see her if you wish
to-
II do wish to-
: At a sign from Trentino the man
servant drew aside curtain and
threw back the communicating door,
disclosing the interior of a small sa-
Ion. There was table laid for sup
per, at which the marchasa and Violet
were seated, with a maid in attend
lance. Niok-t waved her hand as she
recognized Uargrave.
!, Isn't it too absurd?" she exclaimed.
''All the same, I'm glad to see you.
Do let S get back as soon as we can
We'll be off in a few minutes Har-
grave promised. You're all right. are
you?"
'Of course I am she replied. THE
marchesa is too good a hostess,
though. l am afraid l shall have no
appetite for our supper when we get
back. By-the-bye. where's Robert?"
Your brother" the rnarchesa ex-
plained. turning half around in her
chair. was a little unruly. We had
10 ask him to wait upstairs. Presently
IL