Evening star., 1928-04-25
Continued from Yesterdays Starr
INSTALLMENT XIII.

~ ARON JASTO DANGLOSS, Min
- lister Of Police in EdelWeiss, re-
turning to his office in the tower
IL after visit to Lady Starcou-C, {,
found his shrewdest operative, a
man name CorpaZ, waiting for MIN:
The baron was low-spirited. He had
been through a trying scene with the
mother of young Starcourt, whose BODY
had not yet been recovered from the
river, although three weeks had elapsed
since his disappearance-three weeks
spent in dragging the stream for miles
below the pool in wnlCn he was sup
pose to have met his death.
Dangloss dreaded these interviews
with Lady Starcourt. Today had been
especially trying. He had been obliged
to tell her that, on Sunday next, the
flags at the tower and the fortress
we're to be lowered to half-maSt and
that the regent had ordered services
for the dead to be held in all churches.
sticking to the belief that her son was
not dead. The baron could only say that
he devoutly hoped so.
You have something to report, Cor
paZ," said he. Have they found it?"
II come to you. Baron, with nothing
more than a suspicion to report. But
1t is so strong that it might almost be
called a conviction. It has nothing TO
do with Col Starcourt. May be
permitted to speak with you alone. sir?'
Dangloss bade him enter the private
chamber
I'VE are alone here, Corpaz" He
looked about at the grim, thick walls
and smiled. IF these walls have ears
will eat my own with relish. Sit down
Come to the point. We are not in the
habit Of wasting words here, as well you
know. What Is on your mind?"
CorpaZ hesitated a moment "As few
words as possible, sir. You and the ia
bassys have been friends for some time
have you not?"
"I have known them since they were
children. suppose it is safe to say that
we are friends"
"She is a direct descendant of the
Duke OF Droon, who was put TO death
for treason"
YES Why ask that question? You
know as well as l."
Her mothers only source of income
was derived from gratuity set apart
for her by the crown when she was
restored, after a fashion, to favor. What
was the size of the gratuity?"
This Is most extraordinary. Corpa7
but, II 1t pleaSeS you, I will answer
Three thousand gavvos yearly and the
revenue from certain farm lands in the
north. Five thousand, all told, should
say. Certainly no more than that"
The gratuity or pension ceased with
her death. understand"
Yes. Her daughter. the Countess
Katrane. could not inherit something
that was not her mothers to bequeath
The farm lands went back to the
crown, of course. Proceed"
$50 IL iS mite r1aar that sha has M
means of her own. Now as to Count
Jabassy, What are his circumstances
Financially. I mean"
He has about three thousand a year
from his fathers estate. 1t is a matter
of record"
rs he engaged in profitable business
Of any kind. Baron?"
II believe he calls himself a gentle
man OF leisure" replied DangloSS, hui
moring his interrogation.
Then. so far as you know. he has no
more than three thousand a year?"
Approximately. He-but wait! BY
my soul. believe ! am beginning to see
what you are getting at, Corpaz" He
leaned forward in his chair, suddenly
interested. His keen eyes narrowed.
The Jabassy menage is an expen-
sive one, IS 1t not? Can 1t be maintained
on three thousand a year. Baron Dan
gloSS?"
(Note-The GrauStark gavvo. is
equivalent to about $6 in American
money.-The Author.)
The Minister OF Police smiled. You
gave me quite a start. Corpax. I must
confess. Three thousand would not be-
gtn 70 cover the expenses of their es-
tablishment. Nor twice that amount,
should say. But" and here his smile
became Sardonic, II dare say YOU are