The Washington times., 1928-08-02

Shirley was watching Aian's
faes. ne smiled with genuine
amusement
NY compliments to Mr.. ste
pianos. and am desolated that
shall have to keep him waiting
10 minutes, st the end of which
time / shall consider it an honor
TO interview him. say Just that
AbramoveI. Don't forget IT,
fhatss the polite version. When
Ne comes here, I'm going to kick
him out One minute
double an the scouts and bring
che remainder Of your men mp
here TO this clearing with Ste
pilanos.
very good Mr.. Brennaway'
answered Abran1oVel nekN0usly.
and hurried back TO obey his
orders
Why did he dare to come IN.
to the camp alone asked Stir-
lev when AbramoveI had gone.
He = evidently man Of
considerable character, said
Alan. That's our weak spot.
i've watched them very closely
= tAA &ADAAAAONS1 A4AN MS CEOW0 III y
ready To fight Stepfanos-bu
they're overawed by his personal
ttx That's why sent for all the
men. I'm going TO treat Step
hanos with contempt in their pre-
eence. :
Suppose he oyerawes Abra-
novel and his men suppose they
turn against usg'' suggested Shir-
Then We have the ransom
business all over again., he an
awered. They won't cut orr
Threats. We're worth more to
them alive. But IL that does hap.
pen, take the first opportunity to
slip into the dug-out
7 shall he able to break away
TO the Serbians. probably-and
the Serbians will make short
work OF AbramovePs little lot.
But it viii only come TO that IL
0ur diplomacy fails. I've had A bit
Of training in this sort Of thing,
you know. The Mexican outlaws
are pretty lively people.
Shirley thrilled at his sheer
ebundance Of dynamic energy.
He was not worried--he was en-
5oying himself. In the camp she
had seen another side OF his ma.
ture. she had seen the man of
action. brisk. alive and more than
1 little brutal.
You'll let me stay, won't you,
AIan?s'
.soh yes. Nothing very violent
will happen. I'm going TO build
this railway. Shirley re Step
hanos can stop me, good luck 10
him! Here he IL, by the way. BY
Jove! Picturesque begger. isn't
hep
Shirley. too. looked with some
thing approaching admiration at
man OF magnificent physidus
h fun Balkan dress astride a pas
sable Arab. His riding boots were
new and his arcountremepts
clean BEHIND him. in obvious re.
spectfulness. walked Abranovei
And .scr,te thirt" ~ his followers.
AZ they reached the clearing
Etephanos dismounted and one Of
Abramoyel's men took his horse.
Shirley stood close by sAlan's
side. Stephanos advanced and when
within a few PAGES. saIuted in
Western military fashion. Alan
returned the salute and Shirley
bowed.
Well. Stephsnos. what do yon
wsnf?" asked Alan, spea king In
French
Monsieur is little abrupt" an.
swered Stephanos. whose accent,
Shirley noted, was n anything
rather better tkan AIan's. She
watched the bandit look contempt
uously at Alan's sl1irt-sieeves and
obviously contrast them with his
own ulaEnificences ~ come on a
matter OF business. ! wish to Of
fer yon the protection OF my poor
forces.
There was Il short silence during
which Alan waited for Abramovers
men to get within earshot.
Thank you. but you come too
late" said Alan. II have already
made arrangements With Apramo-
vel.
Permit me 10 say that you have
done well Ny cousin Abrannovei
and his men are well known. But
his force is small. My own, for
example. Ii more Than double the
strength Of his. Monsieur
has anythtnE to say7s
-. CO ~ The devil Etephanos.
Ahsn6pYel ana I WI figbk yoll I.