Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel], August 19, 1906, Image 34

About Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911

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THE COUNTER STROKE
CHAPTER XI X— Continued
W' I HERE did you hear of this?"
Dupnssis drew a pnper from his pock
et. "I didn't leave my post, sir," he
*3J7iS muttered npologeticnlly; "one of the
* ' ' " servant* brought it to me. Besides,
they are crying out the news in the
streets even now. If you listen you mny hear
for yourself."
In the silence thnt followed they could indis
tinctly catch the far-off shouts of an excited
crowd, a confused babel of murmurs, from which
occasionally single words arose and traveled
clearly to the pallid listeners; such words as
"Umberto — Death— Mercy and Revenge."
Perigord allowed the journal to slip to the
floor unopened. "Have they caught the mur
derer, Dupassis?" he asked presently.
"Yes, Excellency."
"His name?"
"He says Bresci."
Perigord turned to Cressinghnm and as he
walked out muttered sadly: "You dream lias
come true, ay Lord."
CHA PTER XX
SIDE-LIGHTS AND SERMON'S.
« «"» EIN Gott!" said Oeltjen, "what a ter
tff\ t rible confirmation of your story, my
■P»-J Lord."
i^gy^ Creesingham picked up the journal
which Perigord had let fall, and read
aloud the account and horrid details of King
Humbert's assassination.
"Do you know, Oeltjen," he said afterwards,
"from the very moment I heard the Count d'At
tala so cold-bloodedly predict the fulfilment of
his pledge, I somehow felt in my bones that
Humbert was doomed, and that nothing in the
power of man to do might save him. I do not
feel at all surprised for I expected this."
"I wonder if they will be able to extort any
information from- Bresci the murderer?"
' "Be sure not. The Count knows how to choose
his instruments too well for that. Remember
Klein!"
"Ugh! I Bhall never forget that night. I often
dream of the poor wretch's screams of pain."
"And yet in spite of that dreadful torture, he
was obstinate and finally deceived us."
"Who do you suppose fired the bomb that
night, my Lord?"
"Who but the Prince, or rather the Archduke.
He arrived on the scene immediately after the
explosion. I marked his face particularly and
saw his eyes counting us over with an expres
sion of utter disappointment. I am sure Peri
gord commenced to suspect him from that mo
ment. I wonder what fate Perigord intends for
him?"
"He is a Prince, you know, and heir to a
throne."
"You think then— — "
"That he is too highly placed to touch. Peri
gord will probably warn his royal nephew, and
in that way draw his teeth. You see, once the
Count d'Attala is killed or imprisoned, the inner
circle will crumble to pieces and Nihilism will
fade away for want of a leader, never to be re
vived in our generation at least."
• "That is so, for it is the Count who holds all
the strings. The Prince and the Turk are mere
ly figure-heads."
"So it seems; but what infernal villains they
are. worse in my opinion than the Count."
"Ah, you think that because you have not
yet seen the Count! Wait a little."
"Do you believe we shall encounter much re
sistance on the island?"
"Very little, if we have any luck. I hope to
surprise the place."
The friends dined in the bedroom, Cressing
ham pretending a sprained ankle in order to
pacify the waiter. Their conversation drifted
with liqueurs and cigarettes to the inevitable
subject of women, and the Englishman unbur
dened himself of a long description of Francine
Elliott's charms and virtues, also his fears re
garding her health and safety. Oeltjen was sym
pathetic and encourairing; he listened for an
hour without evincing the slightest signs of
weariness, and then strove to comfort his friend
by resolutely refusing to entertain any but the
bright side of the situation.
In the end he artfully inquired of Madame
Viyella. "Is she still smitten with you, Frank,
do you think?" he asked.
Cressingham shook his head. "I don't know
that she ever was really," he replied. "It was
all in the game she was playing. Anyhow, it
would be impossible to measure her sincerity.
The woman is such a perfect actress that what
ever she says or simulates she actually means
for the time. I've studied her pretty thorough
ly, and in my opinion she is incapable of any
deep feeling. Besides, man, think qf her age!"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, she has a daughter of eighteen!"
"Gott in Himmel! Is the girl bo old?"
"Now there's a chance for you, Ludwig!" cried
Cressingham laughing. "Desire is exactly what
her mother may once have been— a lovely, im
pressionable child, pure as an angel, and wonder
fully intelligent and sweet. She resembles Kath
erin most wonderfully too, in fact I be
lieve when her hair grows and she fills out a
fit she will be a most beautiful woman."
Oeltjen 's face assumed an expression of pain.
"Please don't jest about that, will you, Frank?"
he murmured.
"My dear fellow, you don't mean to say "
"Nothing," interrupted the other, "except that
my recovery is still recent; the scar still hurts
at times, although I try to think it is entirely
healed. For all that T can't quite help dreading
to meet her again a little." j .
"Phew!" whirled Cressingham, "I'm sorry
I, spoke, old chap. I know perfectly what you
mean; I've been there myself, as the saying is."
Oeltjen arose. "I think we'd better get aboard
the Sea Hawk now, Frank."
"All right, I'm your man."
They found the streets of Naples in a strange
ferment. Excited crowds thronged the thorough
fares. Soldiers were everywhere in evidence,
forcing their way through the press in half ,
panics and Bquads, acting the part of patrols,
speaking not at all but occasionally using freely
their scabbards and sword hilts to clear a pas
sage. The populace seemed on the verge of do
ing something desperate.
"It looks like a revolution!" snid Oeltjen.
, "No fear of that," said Cressingham, "the
military are too BtroneT but the spirit of revolt
is loose. There will be blood ppilt tonight I
think."
An upstairs window of the house opposite
which they stood opened at this moment, and
a voice cried out, the voice of the thief: "Take
• friendly hint from me, Count yon Oeltjen, and
get yourself as soon as possible out of harm's
way."
"Who are you?"' demanded Ludwig.
"What matters that? Do as ] bid you; you
are marked with the red cross, and a tiger is al
ready after you."
"Thanks for the warning, but tell me a little
more."
"Keep your thanks; one good turn deserves
another. I can't tell you more than I have, but
if you are wise do not walk the city Rfter dark.
Uood night!" and the window was pulled down
sharply.
joeemi we have stumbled on n nest of Nihi
lists, \ muttered Cressingham; "we'd better pat
the hoof,
Oeltjen gave a little grunt of dissatisfaction,
but he took the other's arm and they hastened
from the spot ns fast as they could walk. Twen
ty minutes afterwards they stepped on bonrd
Mr. Perigord's yacht, and to their astonishment
were greeted by Mr. Perigord himself, who it
seemed hnd been for some time anxiously ex
pecting them. He led them at rnce to the sa
loon, where they found Cardinal Carmito seated
before a flask of Seltingcr which he hnd already
severely pnnißhed.
The Cardinal had insisted on visiting the yacht
in order to hear Cressingham repeat the main
points of his story in propria persona, and this
the young man was obliged to do, nnd subse
quently submit to a cross-exarpination which
for rigor and detail would not have disgraced a
leader of the bar.
The inquisition lasted hours, but at last the
Cardinal was satisfied, and said so in a manner
so friendly and with language so full of deftly
chosen flatteries, that Cressingham was con
strained to feel pleased in spite of himself and
pay tribute, however grudgingly, to the peculiar
talents of his inquisitor.
Perigord, who had been absent throughout the
evening, entered the cabin, and placed in Cress
mgham's hands the jewels which he had brought
from the island cf Attala.
The young man regarded the treasures with
much embarrassment. "They're really not mine,
you know," he said.
The Cardinal smiled, eyeing him keenly.
"Whose then nre they?" he inquired, his voice
soft as silk.
"They belong to the Count d'Attala, I sup
pose."
"Well?"
"Well, your Eminence." Creesinghnm resent
ed the subtle smile with which he was regard
ed."
"Whnt do you propose to do with them? Re
store them to the Count?"
"Perhaps your Eminence would be so kind as
to advise me?"
The Cardinal shrugged his shoulders. ,"I
should prefer you to determine the matter for
yourself." ,
Cressingham looked him straight in the eyes.
"Very well, I give them to your Eminence to
sell, and distribute the proceeds among the poor
of Naples."
The Cardinal got to his feet iand smiled again,
but this time his smile was really kind and his
eyes were soft and luminous. "Well said, my
son-." he murmured; "I shall accept the trust."
Perigord drew from his pocket a letter which
he gave Cressingham. "Those are your in
structions, my Lord; you will start at noon to
morrow."
"But the men, the officers "
"Are all on board and asleep long ere this."
"In that case we could start nt once."
"You will start at noon, tomorrow. Read
now your instructions. Good-bye, my Lord."
Perigord and the Cardinal then shook him
gravely by the hand, and taking Oeltjen with
them left the cabin. Cressingham immediately
tore open the letter and read as follows:
"You will start at noon of July 30 from Na
ples, and proceed at half speed on the ordinary
route of vessels proceeding to Gibraltar until you
pass Sardinia. You will then steam full speed
due north, keeping Sardinia and Corsica at least
fifty miles to starboard until the latter island is
rounded, after which you will be at liberty to
proceed as best you deem fit tc Attala. The
manner of attack on the objective point in left
entirely at your own discretion. But having cap
tured the place you will take prisoners all its
inhabitants and secure them in the hold of the
Sea Hawk. You will then carefully search the
island and castle, and remove therefrom to the
yacht all books, papers and documents whatso
ever that may be found, also any treasure, specie
or other valuables. You will demolish any print
ing presses or machinery which may be discov
ered, but carefully preserve and transport all
blocks and letterpress in use. You will entirely
destroy— by fire, if necessary — the cable station
and all telegraphic instruments, but preserve all
records of messages if any such exist. Should
you be interrupted at your work by the arrival
of enemies, you are given discretionary powers
to act in such emergency in any way you may
judge best. The Count's silver boat, enfjines and
appliances you will remove to the yacht intact.
After the castle has been ransacked you will
destroy it by dynamite; you will also as far as
possible wreck the tunnel opening on the stone
boat-shed, and the boat-shed itself by the same
means. After everything here detailed has been
carefully effected you will return with your pris
oners at full speed to Naples, where your arrival
will be anxiously expected. God bless and
prosper you. "PERIGORD.",
Cressingham conned this document over un
til he had got its contents by heart. Then it
struck him that as lie was in command of an im
portant and possibly very dangerous expedition,
he might as well avail himself of the perquisites
of his position. He rang a bell and a steward
entered the room on instant.
"A bottle of champagne, please; your best."
"Large or small, my Lord?"
"H'm, large, please. Where is my cabin?"
"Through that door, my Lord."
"Good; bring two glusses, please, and go find
the Count yon Oeltjen."
"He has gone ashore, my Lord."
"Oh! indeed!" This was news to Cressingham,
but he did not cancel his order for all that.
CHAPTER XXI
A SUPPER PARTY.
f- j^ISS FRANCINE ELLIOTT was upon the
J-^ high road to recovery when Cressing-
SVS3S ham made his escape from the Island
tiliSS. of Attala. She had boon carefully at
tended during her illness by the
Count's negro physician, who, although a per
eon without university qualifications, proved to
be the possessor of much skill in the practice of
medicine. * She found nothing to complain of
in her treatment during the time of convales
cence. The old Count seemed to have discov
ered a liking for her, and was on the whole
kind.
Madame Viyella she never saw , except at a
distance, but Desire came often to visit her,
and at least one hour every evening was spent
very pleasantly by the girl in trying on the va- I
rious articles of Mias Elliott's wardrobe, a ward
robe which the Count had provided for her from
Italy shortly after her arrival on the island.
Each morning i^osire anxiously searched the
boat-bouse lor the red cloth which was to be
the signal of Cresungham'i return, but the
days passed monotonously, and no sign came.
Francine became well enough at last to walk
LOS ANGELES HERALD SUNDAY SUPPLEMENT
! unaided, and it was then her dearest pleasure to
. climb to the look-out and spend hours gazing out
i over the blue water, longing to be the first to
dtscover sight of the vessel which might contain
her lover nnd the hope of freedom. Many steam
ers and ships she saw pass across the horizon,
but they nil r>n rl, and with CHC.h her hopes
grew smaller and smaller. The Count d'Attala
watched her restoration with undisguised pleas
ure, nnd commenced to pay her^rnnny compli
ments on iier altered appearance.
On July 20 he invited her to supper with him,
and in such a manner that she was constrained
to accept (he invitntion. Madame Viyella nnd
Desire were of the party, and she found herself
sitting on the Count's right hand, opposite her
father's murderess.
Madame Katherin was superbly dressed in a
low cut gown of heliotrope satin, covered with
rich Maltese Ince; Desire, as usual, appeared in
boy's clothes, but the Count d'Attala had dis
carded his usually magnificent apparel, and was
clothed from head to heel in deep black, even
collar, silken shirt and ruffles being of that
sombre color. The old man's face, however, was
at odds with his mourning costume", for his ex
pression wns excited and triumphant, and his
first net on 'seating himself was to fill his glass
nnd those of his guests with sparkling burgundy.
Then, raising his flagon, he thus addressed them:
"I wish you to join me in drinking the health
of His Majesty Umberto I of Italy, and to wish
him prosperity and bon voyage in the new ca
reer in which he has this afternoon embarked."
Madame Viyella made a peculiar gesture with
her eyebrows, but she drank to the toast, and
Francine and Desire each sipped their wine.
"Is it over?" asked Madame, as she put down
her glass.
"It is," replied the Count, his eyes beaming;
"Umberto was shot th's afternoon nt Monza,
shot dead!"
Frnncine experienced a thrill of horror, nnd
stared at the old man with a Midden presenti
ment of what wbr to tome. "You — you had no
hand in his death," sbe gasped out.
He gave a low chuckle of appreciation. "No
hand, my dear young lady — no, not I. I am not
a vulgar assassin. T mcrolv arrnnaed the matter.
I decreed — my servants carried out the work!'
"Then you are the actual murderer!" She
gazed at him, her eyes dilated with terror, her
bosom heaving, her cheeks ashen white.
The Count d'Attnla was plainly flattered by
the sensation ne had created; he laughed out in
extravagant delight, and glanced about the table
with the air 01 a imin who had abundant cause
for self-gratulation. "I am not of thoße who
are frightened of the world," he answered, still
smiling, "nor do 1 seek to escape, in my home
circle, at all events, the consequences of my acts.
Katherin views the world much in the game
fashion as myself, and is used to the traffic of
denth, for I have trained her. But Desire is still
child enough to feel affrighted. Ha! ha! ha!
look at the child. Desire, my dear, you appear
to be quite out of love with your poor old grand
father; you etare at me with your heart in your
eyes, and your heart is filled with dismay and
detestation. Ha! ha! ha! I vow to you, Miss
Elliott, that' with every death which'l accom
plish I grow young again, and take a new lease'
of life."
"Monster!" cried the girl, "do you never think
that Death will at last reach yourself?" . a .
He laughed again. "Ha, ha, hn! Do you take
me for a coward or a fool? I know that I must
go at laßt, for all thing» have an end. But what
do I care for that?" -; \- ' •„...'- s •;.■
"May I trouble you for the salt, said Madame
Viyella.
Miss Elliott handed the article to the woman,
and her fingers touched, as she thought, the
fingers of her father's murderess. She gave a vio
lent shudder, and sipped at her wine to hide her
emotion, although the draught near choked her.
Then she stammered' out: "Why did you kill
the King of Italy?" • v .. , , y_
"My deur Miss Elliott, you eat nothing," said
the Count. "Eat I beg of you; the food is not
poisoned."
Francine tried to force herself to obey, for she
was in deadly terror, and the words were a
command, but with every mouthful a hysterical
contraction of the throat caused her violent
pain.
The Count resumed: "I arranged the death
of Umberto for a cauli consideration, and to
satisfy my followers. My people are a etupid
clams, who imagine that by instilling into the
AMBROSE PRATT
hearts of kings the constant fear of death they
will at length cause the abolition of monarchy.
A mad idea that, which they continue to enter
tain only by rr.-.son of their profound and im
penetrable ignornnce. The lessons of the past
have taught them nothing. At their bidding the
lives of all reigning monarch* have been va
riously attempted for three-quarters of a cen
tury, nnd many have been slain. In spite of
thnt no throne has been vacant long, but they
nevertheless persist in their blind purpose, and
in order to retain their confidence, in order to
obtain money, I am at intervals obliged to give
them a victim."
Frnncine remembered at that moment the am
bition and hopes of her lover, and was curious.
"Supposing"— she hesitated— "supposing you
were Killed, would Nihilism then die out?"
He shook his head. "My people would not
want a lender long; there exists a man who is
most anxious to step into my shces."
"Jibaloff," said Madame.
The Count nodded. "Yes, Jibaloff. Ah, bah!
he would Buit them too, for he is more blood
thirsty than I, He would arrange for whole
sale executions."
"Jibnloff should be here soon," observed Mad
ame i
"He will not arrive until tomorrow, or I am
much mistaken," said the Count; "his yacht was
only seen off Napoli this morning."
"Do 'you think he will bring the trensure?"
"Why else should he 'come? Depend upon it,
he has hnd it with him nil alon*. In any case,
not a step shall I move without it, and be un
derstands that the division this time is mine.
But I do not fear; he has too much to lotee by
failing in a jot of his obligations."
Desire changed color n little Ht this. "How
long do you think he will stay, grandfather?"
she asked.
"A few days. Why?"
"Olv nothing."
"You hnd nn object in asking the question; tell
it me."
"I don't like him."
"Fie on you. Your own fnther! unnatural child
that, you nre— Hi! hn! hn!"
"Don't, don't!" pleaded the girl, recoiling
from hiß jeering laughter.'
"Poor little girl, the father is unkind to it,
eh? Never mind; come to its old grandfather;
he will protect it — ha! ha! ha!" His mirth
was a more shuddersome thing than his anger,
and even Madame shivered slightly to hear him.
"Jibaloff wants Desire," she remarked.
The old man flew in a passion on instant.
"The cursed swine dared to ask me for her!"
he cried angrily; "he wants her as a present for
the Sultan, an addition to his master's zenana,
no doubt. Well, he shall not have her, not be
fore my boat is finished at all events."
Desire turned pale. "But then you will send
me to England, grandfather, will you not?" she
asked entreatingly.
"As a boy?"
"No, as a girl."
"You have my promise, my promise," he sneer
ed; "are you not satisfied?"
But his voice was insincere, and Desire's lips
tightened.
"Oh, yes, I am satisfied," she answered, and
flashed a meaning look at Francine.
Francine discovered a certain anxiety to know
the Count's ultimate intentions with regard to
herself, and she hastened to take advantage of
his mood of garrulity. "Am I to stay on this
island always?" she asked . tremulously.
The old man surveyed her with a mocking
smile, and answered presently: "Why no, not
always— at least, I think not. Tomorrow you
will be presented to Jibaloff, and if he is satis
fied with your appearance, and I with the price
he offers, you will shortly change your state."
"What do you mean?" gasped Francine.
"I mean that you will become Jibaloff's six
tieth or seventieth wife, I don't quite know the
extent of his domestic arrangements. Perhaps,
however, the rascal may reserve you for his
master, in whicti case you will have a royal hus
band. Docs not the prospect please you?"
"I would kill myself first!" cried the girl.
The Count laughed and answered brutally:
"At leant lived until I have Jibaloff's money. I
have no objection to your cheating the Turk of
hi* bargain, but wait till then, if you love me,
wait till then."
He made a sign at that moment, and his two
dumb attendants at once hurried forward, and
lifting the old man to his feet, guided him with
the utmost enre from the apartment. Francine
immediately nronc, and disdaining to glance at
Madame also hastened from the room.
Madame turned to Desire. Well, girl, you
look displeased. "What is the matter with
you ?"
"1 hat« it all!" replied Desire passionately.
"How I would love to go awny, and never see
grandfather or father ngnin; they are horrible.
Mndnme sighed. "My poor kitten, so should
I. Hut whnt chance have we? Come and kiss
me, Desire."
The girl threw her arms around the woman
and tenderly caressed her. "Why can't we,
mother mine? why cannot we leave this dread
ful place ?^"
Madame patted her daughter's head. "Because
we haven't wings," she answered drearily, "and
because no other part of Europe is safe for me
just now; there are men who want my life."
"Mother, did you care for that Englishman,
Lord Francis Cressingham?"
Madame arose and put the girl from her. "I
liked him well enough," she said, "but he is
dead."
"Did he care for you?"
"When I wished him to care, he cared."
"You tried to help him away, didn't you?"
"No; I knew he could not escape, but I did
not want to see him die, so I pretended to as
sist him, knowing that your grandfather would
shoot him immediately he was caught."
"Do you think he was drowned, mother?"
"I am sure of it, but why?"
"I dreamed last nigrtt that he came here in a
yacht and took you and me and Miss' Elliott
away with him."
"A pretty dream, but a foolish one, my child."
"Oh, if it could come true!" sighed the girl.
"My dear, it cannot come true; we have real
ities to face, not dreams. I fear much that your
only hope of escape is through your father. For
myself when next he goes I shall try to induce
him to take me with him, I believe. Under his
protection life would not be bo dull for us as
here at all events, though I dare say it would
be dull enough. I have never been in a zenana
yet."
"But, .mother— you surely would not "
Madame interrupted her with a storm of pas
i sionate words. "I would do anything to escape
this cursed island, where there i« nothing to do
for me but yawn. It is better for you, since
you have work to do, and have known nothing
else. But to me the life is absolutely insuffer
able, I who have since a girl been URed to the
world of fashion, of courts and fetes, of constant
movement and amusement. Why, in a few
months I would cut my throat to end the bore
dom of it nil."
"Mother!"
"I would, I tell you. It is killing me. But you
had better go to your work, or you will catch it
from your grandfather." She kissed the girl,
and forced her from the room, then alone, be
took herself to Mies Elliott's bed-chamber,
where arrived she Knocked sharply on the door.
Francine's voice bade her enter, but when Fran
cine, who had expected Desire, saw the person
of her visitor, she started back in disgust.
"You!"- she cried.
"Yes, it is I," said Madame. "I, Kate Viyella,
and I can tell you. my lady, you had better be
a little amiable if you want my help."
"Your help! I would rather die than accept
your heir)."
"There are worse fatesv than death!" said
Madame coolly, closing the door behind her as
she spoke, and placing her back against it.
"What do you mean?"
"What I say. You need not assume airs and
graces with me; there is no one by to admire
your pretty disdain, my dear." •
"I do not wish to speak to you. I shall be
obliged if you will go." .
"Would you, my angel? Well, that is not my
intention. Je m'ennui, and I wish a little ex
citement, so I have come to you."
"You will be disappointed then." Miss El
liott shut her lips tightly. .
"Oh, you'd maintain silence, would you? Well,
do so. You must listen to me though, for you
can't escape. I have the door, and the window
is barred."
Francine sat down on a chair and took up a
book, which she opened and pretended to read."
Madame laughed. "How would you like to es
cape?" she demanded. '■''■■' .
The girl glanced up, unable to suppress a sud
den interest. , '■' , \ r ,
"Ha, ha! I touched you there! rippled Mad
ame. "I repeat, how would you like to escape?"
"You know it is impossible." '.
"Bah. nothing is impossible. Listen to me.
"Well?"
"I am tired of the life I lead, and am just as
anxious to be tree as yourself. \ There is a way.
"What is it?" • .
"Rather, there are two ways. The first is to
kill father— knife or poison him, I don t care
which— then cable for his yacht, and get away
in it with his gold; he has plenty of money hid
den somewhere on the island, old fox that he is.
Francina eyed her in horror. "You can t mean
it," she" gasped. ;^'^ , .
"Why not? I am weary of the constant re
straint he exercises over me. No matter where
I may be, here or in St. Petersburg, he governs
me as though I were a cbild. ( I hate being gov
erned; I've stood it too long.
"But to poison your own father!
"Bah, he'd think less of getting rid of me if
it suited him."
"What is your other plan?
"To go off with Jibaloff. You will be taken in
any case, -for father has determined to sell you
to him. If we act together, we could kill him
on the voyage quite easily, and get the captain
to land us where we please. The fellow is an
old flame of mine, and will do whatever I bid
him, so long as I use him properly. What do
y°"ly °"l "think— you are a devil!" gasped Miss El
liott. „
"Pshaw! that is no answer.
"I shall tell the Count everything you have
said to me, that w my answer." >?yj
Madame laughed mockingly. 'You fool, do
you think that such ft course would help you?
Father would probably believe you, he might
shoot me on suspicion, but that wouldn't alter
your fate."
"It will give me my revenge, though. You
murdered my father— fiend that you are! Thank
you for giving me such a chance."
Madame rippled with laughter and, opened the
door. "Go to him at once, my dear; do not
wait. You will see how he will receive you."
"What do you mean?"
"Ah, boh! I have been amusing myself, that
is all!" and Madame departed laughing so heart
ily that Miss Elliott was entirely deceived into
thinking her words true. As a fact, Madame
had been quite serious, and in a reckless mood
would have tried to accomplish one or other of
her proposals if Francine had agreed to help
her. Indeed, as it was she did not abandon her
schemes completely, but she had felt the need
of some companionship in her disigni, and was
so bitterly angry with the girl that she there
aiK j.. tlien determined to destroy her.
Within ten minutes m plate of fruit and a tray
containing tea and fresh made coffee were taken
to Jrancineg room. Miss Elliott, however, wns
suspicious of such unwonted attentions, and
* ou , cn «l nothing; she was wise, for the provision*
had all be subtly poisoned by Madame.
That night and the next d«y passed without
incident, but on the afternoon of July 31 there
entered the harbor of Attala a yacht flying the
lurkißh ensign. Miss Elliott observed its ar
rival from the look-out, and watched for some
hours a constant stream of boats ply between
it and the shore, each evidently heavily laden on
one trip nt least, for although she could not see
their cargo, they rode the water deeply, sunk
almost to the gunwales.
She kept her position until she saw Desire
emerge from the boat-house, and then with a
feeling of keen trepidation descended to meet
the girl. Desire was engaged in earnest con
verse with some sailors when Francine reached
the beach, but Miss Elliott, although a good
linguist, failed even to recognize the tongue they
spoke in. But the girl turned to her at last, and
*a they climbed the steps muttered: "I fear it
is all up with us. Lord Francis must have
been drowned, for his yacht which he spoke of
— the Sea Hawk — was sighted late last evening
going southwest towards Gibraltar, perhaps on
its way to England."
Francine felt her heart turn cold and some
thing of the bitterness of death rame to her
then.
But presently Desire spoke again. "Of course,
we can't absolutely tell from that. He may
have taken such 'a route in order to put grand
father quite nt ease. He is such a clever man,
Lord Francis— isn't he?"
But Francine was very little comforted. She
entered the dining-room half dazed, like a per
son who waUcs in her sleep, prepared to meet
her fate and almost anxious for the moment to
arrive when she might at last find rest in death,
for she wag determined upon roicide,. and she
carried with her in her bosom a Bharp-pointed
tableknife which she had stolen and secreted the
night the Count had made known his mind re
garding her. She found, however, an unlooked
for respite. The Count was engaged in his room
with Jibaloff and Madame and so she ate her
dinner with Desire and afterwards was suffered
to retire to her chamber undisturbed. Desire,
who feared her father more than anything else
on enrth, more even than the Count, slept with
her tha.t evening for protection, and the two
girls wept together until far into the night, for
each was now despairing.
CHAPTER XXII
THE TALE OF FRANCINE.
TIHE Ist of August, contrary to Miss Elli
ott's expectations, passed in absolute
ii tranquillity. She saw neither the Count
jgffiajj)} nor j^aloff, nor yet Madame; Desire
came to her in the evening, and they dined to
gether in solitary > state. The girl had done a
bard day's work and was weary, but before the
meal was over she was sent for by her- grand
father, and Francine saw nothing of her until
noon of the next day. , »'■.;
Then Desire was able to inform her of the
reason of the strange inactivity that prevailed
at the chateau. The Count and Jibaloff were
waiting with the gTavest anxiety for the arrival
of Madame's husband, the Prince. It seemed
that a telegram had arrived saying that he had
been suddenly taken ill.
Desire said that she had never known her
grandfather to be so disquieted. He appeared
to be expecting some catastrophe, and had jußt
taken the extreme step of ordering his own yacht
to be immediately dispatched to the island. Mean
while he passed the time in his library with
Madame and Jibaloff gambling for high stakes
with the Turk at cards and dice. He had been
losing very heavily, and was very bad-tempered
and upset.
The Turk also was uneasy and distrait. His
yacht was kept under steam and was prepared
at an instant's notice to depart.
Late in the afternoon, however, a change came
o'er the spirit of the scene. Servants who had
been before busily engaged in taking up carpets
and hurriedly packing up the more valuable fur
niture of the chateau suddenly disappeared to
reappear after an interval and just as hurriedly
undo their previous work. Like a swarm of
bees they buzzed about putting everything again
in order, and at the expiration of an hour the
castle wore its old appearance of calm magnifi
cence.
A message was soon afterwards brought to
Francine commanding her array herself in her
richest costume and dine with the Count in the
old man's library that evening. She guessed
by that time that the Count's fears had been by
some means allayed. She prepared to obey the
summons, but her heart told her that the fatal
moment of her life had almoßt arrived, and dur
ing her toilet she often fingered the knife which
she had stolen, with a feeling of despairing con
solation, recognizing it as a last friend whose as
sistance she must presently rely upon if she wish
ed to save herself from indignity and outrage,
worse to her mind a thousand times than deat v .
Dinner was already served when she entered
the library. The host and guests were already
seated, the Count at the head of the table, his
two dumb attendants at usual one on each side
his chair, the chain that joined them stretched
at full extent behind the old man's back. Madame
sat on hiß left hand, gorgeously arrayed, Jibaloff
beside her, while Desire was placed directly op
posite her father, thus leaving a vacant chair on
the Count's right hand. The old man was posi
tively beamjng. ;•;'<.
Francine caught a fragment of his words. "When
luck turns it turns. Yesterday and this morn
ing all was against me^ but with the Prince's
massage the goddess smiled upon me. This morn
ing you were a mighty winner, now you owe me
ten thousand pounds. Tonight I shall beggar
you, my friend."
Jibaloff replied with a forced smile. "We shall
see, sir, we shall see. Dame Fortune is ever a ;
fickle mistress to depend upon."
At that moment they became conscious of Miss
Elliott's presence and turned to look at her.
The girl had never appeared so beautiful. She
formed a picture which b6th men appreciated
with a sharply indrawn breath of admiration, but
the Count's proprietorial instincts were soon ex
cited by the contemplation of such loveliness and
the impression which she had made upon the
Turk. ,:• > <•■ ■'
"This," he said in French, recovering himself
hastily, "U the lady whom I told you of. Sit
down, Miss Elliott."
The Turk arose, and Blipping round the 'table
placed her chair. "I am delighted to make your
acquaintance, Miss Elliott," he muttered in her
ear.
The Count h^rd and chuckled softly to him
self.
To D« Continued Next Sunday