Evening star., 1928-04-26


ND SO il was that the fingers al
~ s;S,s,, DARK for sonsthiae i tsnsiols j Z, i
times seemingly hopeless. proc
eSS. Corpa2, shrewd and reSourceful
as he was. could not put one of these
fingers on single spot that was SenSi-
tive 70 the touch; less dogged man
would have. given up III diSguStva-Ba{
something told him that he was on
the right track, and it was this strange
something that would not listen to him
when he attempted to convince MS own
reason that he was wrong. The ia
haSSys became an obScsSion with him.
His Investigations were being carried
on with the greatest secrecy. No one
save nangloss was aware of his activi-
ties. and the baron. to whom he re-
ported every detail. was now convinced
that .JabaSSy and his wife were en-
kaged in some shady enterprise, lt not
In conjunction with the Droon Forest
robbers. then most certainly with
another organization OF unSaVory char
acter. Corpaz'S persistent inquiries de-
veloped incontrovertible proof that the
count had lied about his SucceSshh
operations at Monte Carlo and else
where But even SO, lamented Corpaz,
which these frequent Indications sof
opulence were derived without actually
drawing the information from the
gentleman himself?
At last the detective, baffled. at oil
turns, but more than ever certain that
he was on the right scent reSorted to
a daring expedlent that of represent
ing himself TO be q messenger from
Jonifer DavoS himself, h.-. #.t-t4i
Assuming disguise that would have
deceived his own wffe--if he had has
one-he set about to carry out his
plans. They were simple enough, but
they called for the greatest skill in
execution. Success or temporary failure
depended on the outcome of the expert
nnent Without knowing precisely why,
ne selected the countess as the one on
whom the test was to be made Per-
hapS it was because he knew that. while
women are infinitely more crafty than
men. they also are the more easily
cuped by the plausible
The Countess Jabassy left her house
n Prince Rudovio street one morning
Just as hucEster was passing, his cart
laden with an assortment of tempting
out-of-season fruits pears, grapes
peaches and plums. He brought bis
cart 10 stop, took Of his shabby hat
OF his luscious stock.
Il do not care for any today said
she, but her eyes giiStcned a little as
they swept the delectable heaps
He held up a great bunch of purple
hot-house grapes.
From southern italy, madame" said
M. his white teeth showing in a most
engaging appealing smile.
She was tempted She paused to
examine the contents Of the cart
They look delicious. Take your cart
% the postern gate and summon
The strange behavior. Of the buck
&teT caused her to break OF the sentence
a. that point He was leaning well
across the cart, ostensihly TO direct her
attention TO the stack of pears: and he
glanced furtively up ard down the
street, In a most extraordinary way
Then he spoke % her in a low tone.
MADAME. would have a word with
yeu. / am not what seem have
come with a message from one you
know well
She stared at him.
Are you speaking to me, my good
NAM" she inquired. drawing back a
little. Was the fellow crazy?
Pray examine these peaches. ma
dame" said he hastily. Again his voice
was lowered: 1t is important. madame.
that | recite 10 you the message l am
commissioned To deliver"
II was gamblers chance he took.
He watched her closely.
This Is most extraordinary. she
said coldly. You have made mis-
take. my man"
Corpag experienced a sudden exuita-
fson: fer, instead Of walking away. sine
continued TO inspect the fruit. her head
lowered, her fingers busy
81 have been cautioned about making
mistakes. madame" he said calmly.
YOU are the Countess Jabagsy / am
20 deliver message 10 You or the
count Time Is short. I have not been
successful in catching t.e count alone.
s0~----'
you are very mysterious inter-
esting," gaid she, lifting her eyes to his.
III you have message for my hus-
band or me. perhaps you will tell me
who it is that sent you to lls.
Is 1t necessary for me 10 mention
names, Faadame?" inquired Corpag.
What more Do YOU require than this
statement that If / should make a
mistake and speak 70 the wrong person
my life would not be worth a pun Of
smoke
A citizen approached. waking lf4Sklf,
the countess was examining the grapes
As he passed Needless 10. say. Corpaz'a
blood was surging, albeit his sallow
plnciled face betrayea not the falntesl
trace Of excitement
''Where do you live?" demanded tlla