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Show The Ceir' Spy The AyStery of ex Silent Love By Chevalier WILLIAM LE QUEUX Author of "The Closed Book etc. Copyright by the Smart Set Publishing Co. SYNOPSIS. 3 The yacht Lola narrowly escapes wreck t, l.ethorn harbor. Gordon Credit, locum t,rein fr ll,e Krltlsh consul, Is called ,m.iri by Hornby, the Lola's owner, ami dines aboard with him and his friend, Helton Cliater. Aboard the yacht he accidentally ac-cidentally sees a room full of arms and .munition and a torn photograph of a touu lrl- T1at night the consul's safe js roM'ed nri the Lola puts suddenly to K The police find that Hornby Is a fraud and the Lola's name a false one. Crete yislts Oapt. Jack Durnford of the pannes aboard his vessel, and is stirred stir-red to learn that Durnford knows, it will not reveal, the mystery of the Ila. "It concerns a woman." CHAPTER 111 Continued. He thanked me profusely when I consented to go with him. "Ah, signor padrone!" he said gratefully, grate-fully, "she will be so delighted. It is 10 very good of you." We hailed a hansom and drove lorcss Westminster bridge to the address ad-dress he gave a gloomy back street off the York road, one of. hBe narrow, pimy thoroughfares fnto -which the sail never shines. A low-lookiag, evil-faced fellow opened the door to us and growled acquaintance ac-quaintance with Olinto, who, striking a mtch, ascended the worn, carpetless italrs before me, apologizing for pass-leg pass-leg before me, and saying in Italian: "We live at the top, signore, because It is cheaper and the air is better." "Quite right," I said. "Quite right. Go on." And I thought I heard my cab driving away. It was a gloomy, forbidding, unlight-d unlight-d place into which I would certainly have hesitated to enter had not my companion been my trusted sen-ant, bat contrary to my expectations, the 'sitting-room we entered on the top !cr was quite comfortably furnished, clean and respectable, even though traces of poverty were apparent. A cheap lamp was burning upon the able, but the apartment was unoccupied. Olinto, In surprise, passed Into the ti.'c'ning room, returning a moment iter, exclaiming: "Armida must have FT.e out to get something. Or perils per-ils she is with the people, a compositor composi-tor and his wife, who live on the floor felow. They are very good to her. I":l go and find her. Accommodate yourself with a chair, signore." And ke drew the best chair forward for me, L'.d dusted it with his handkerchief. I allowed him to go and fetch her, ts'ber surprised that she should be tell enough to get about after all he d told me concerning her Illness. Yet Msumption does not keep people in W until its final stages. Olinto returned In a few moments, Mji'g that his wife had evidently gone 'o do some shopping In the Lower-Marsh. Lower-Marsh. "I hope you are not pressed for time, 'ii'ore?" he said apologetically. "But, 5' course, the poor girl does not know '- surprise awaiting her. She will ,3-re!y not be long." "Then I'll wait," I said, and flung a!self back into the chair he had irwght forward for me. "I have nothing to offer you, signor Mrone," he said, with a laugh. "I -i not expect a visitor, you know." ''o, no, Olinto. I've only just had ;er. But tell me how you have feed since you left me." "Aa!" he laughed bitterly. "I had any ups and downs before I found ?self here In London. The sea did t suit me neither did the work. I ir.agd to work my way from Genoa London. My first place was scullion restaurant in Tottenham Court rt Afterwards I went to the Milano, I hope to get into one of the big "'el8 very soon or perhaps the grill- at the Carlton." HI 6ee what I can do for you," I "I know several hotel managers 'o might have a vacancy." "Ah, signore!" he cried, filled with 'Ification. "If you only would! A 'fd from you would secure me a good sltion. J can work, that you know icd I do work. I will work for her Yes," he said in a hoarse voice, his 'ner suddenly changing. "You have Sht shown me, signore, that you my friend, and I will, in return, ,'ow you that I am yours." And sud-''' sud-''' grasping both my bands, he me from the chair in which I sitting, at the same time asking t ow Intense whisper: "Do you al-J al-J carry a revolver here in Eng-H Eng-H as you do in Italy?" . " I answered in surprise at his and his question. "Why?" , because there Is danger here," he -"'Wed in the same low earnest -e. "fjgf your weajKm ready. You f -"J nt It." "I don't understand," I said, feeling my handy Colt in my back pocket to make sure it was there. "Forget what I have said all all that I have told you tonight, sir," he said. "I have not explained the whole truth. You are la peril in deadly peril!" "How?" I exclaimed breathlessly, surprised at his extraordinary change of manner and his evident apprehension apprehen-sion lest something should befall me. "Wait, and you shall see," he whispered. whis-pered. "But first tell me, signore, that you will forgive me for the part I have played in this dastardly affair. I, like yourself, fell innocently into the hands of your enemies." "My enemies! Who are they?" "They are unknown, and for the present must remain so. But if you doubt your peril, watch" and taking the rusty fire-tongs from the grate he carefully placed them on end in front of the deep old armchair in which I had sat, and then allow ed them to fall against the edge of the 6eat, springing quickly back as he did so. In an instant a bright blue flash shot ' through the place, and the irons fell aside, fused and twisted out of all recognition. I stood aghast, utterly unable for the moment to sufficiently realize how narrowly I had escaped death. "Look! See here, behind!" cried the Italian, directing my attention to the back legs of the chair, where, on bending bend-ing with the lamp, I saw, to my surprise, sur-prise, that two wires were connected, and ran along the floor and out of the window, while concealed beneath the ragged carpet, in front of the chair, was a thin plate o! steel, whereon my feet had rested. Those who had so ingeniously enticed en-ticed me to that gloomy house of death had connected up the overhead electric light main with that innocent looking chair, and from some unseen point had been able to switch on a current of sufficient voltage to till fifty men. I stood stock-still, not daring to I move lest I might come into contact with some hidden wire, the slightest touch of which must bring instant death upon me. "Your enemies prepared this terrible ter-rible trap for you," declared the man who was once my trusted servant. "When I entered Into the affair I was not aware that It was to be fatal. They gave me no Inkling of their dastardly intention. But there is no time to admit ad-mit of explanations now, Bignore," he added breathlessly, in a low desperate voice. "Say that you will not prejudge me," he pleaded earnestly. "I will not prejudge you until I've heardyour explanation," I said. "I certainly owe my life to you tonight." "Then quick! Fly from this house this instant. If you are stopped, then use your revolver. Don't hesitate. In a moment they will be here upon you." "But who are they, Olinto? You must tell me," I cried in desperation. "Dio! Go! Go!" he cried, pushing me violently towards the door. "Fly, or we shall both die both of us! Run downstairs. I must make feint of dashing after you." I turned, and seeing his desperate eagerness, precipitately fled, while he ran down behind me, uttering fierce imprecations in Italian, as though I had escaped him. A man in the narrow dark passage attempted to trip me up as I ran, but I fired point blank at him, and gaining the door unlocked it, and an instant later found myself out In the street. It was the narrowest escape from death that I had ever had in all my life surely the strangest and most remarkable re-markable adventure. What, I wondered, won-dered, did it mean? Next morning I searched up and down Oxford street for the Restaurant Milano, but could not find it. I asked shopkeepers, postmen and policemen; I examined the London directory at the bar of the Oxford Music hall, and made every inquiry possible. But all was to no purpose. No one knew of such a place. There were restuurants In plenty in Oxford street,' from the Frascatl down to the humble coffee-shop, coffee-shop, but nobody had ever heard of the "Milano." I drove over to Lambeth and wandered wan-dered through the maze of mean streets off the Y'ork road, yet for the life of me I could not decide into which house I had been taken. There were a dozen which seemed to me that they might be the identical house from which I had so narrowly escaped with my life. Gradually it became impressed upon me that my ex-servant had somehow gained knowledge that I was In Lon- V don, that he had watched my exit from the club, and that all his pitiful story regarding Armida was false. He was the envoy of my unknown enemies, who had so ingeniously and so relentlessly relent-lessly plotted my destruction. My unknown un-known enemies had secured the services serv-ices of Olinto In their dastardly plot to kill me. With what motive? That day I did my business in the city with a distrust of everyone, not knowing whether I was not followed or whether those who sought my life were not plotting some other equally ingenious move whereby I might go Innocently to my death. I endeavored to discover Olinto by every possible means during those stifling days that followed. The heat of London was, to me, more oppressive than the fiery sunshine of the old-world Tuscany, and everyone who could be out of town had left for the country or the sea. Defeated in every inquiry, and my business at last concluded in London, I went up to Dumfries on a duty visit which I paid annually to my uncle, Sir George Little. Each time I returned from abroad I was always a welcome guest at Greenlaw, and this occasion proved no exception, for the country houses of Dumfries are always gay in August in prospect of the shooting. "Some new people have taken Ran-noch Ran-noch castle. Rather nice they seem," remarked my aunt as we were sitting together at luncheon the day after my arrival. "Their name is Leithcourt, and they've asked me to drive you over there to tennis this afternoon." "I'm not much of a player, you know, aunt. In Italy we don't believe In athletics. ath-letics. But if It's out of politeness, of course, I'll go." "Very well," she said. "Then I'll order or-der the victoria for three." "There are several nice girls there, Gordon," remarked my uncle mis- V ' "'IT- A i fy;4 l ';v.W In an Instant a Bright Blue Flash Shot Through the Place. chievously. "You have a good time, so don't think you are going to be bored." "No fear of that," was my answer. And at three o'clock Sir George, his wife, and myself set out for that fine old historic castle that stands high on the Bognie. When we drove into the grounds we found a gay party in summer sum-mer toilettes assembled on the ancient bowling green, now transformed into a modern tennis lawn. Mrs. Leithcourt and her husband, a tall, thin, gray-headed man, both came forward to greet us. They were a merry crowd. The Lelthcourts were entertaining a large house party, anq their hospitality was on a scale quite in keeping with the fine old place they rented. Tea was served on the lawn by the footmen, and, tired of the game, I found myself with Muriel Leithcourt, a bright, dark-eyed girl with tightly-bound tightly-bound hair, and wearing a cotton blouse and flannel tennis skirt. "I know Italy slightly," she said. "I was in Florence and Naples with mother moth-er last season." And then we began to discuss pictures pic-tures and sculptures and the sights of Italy generally. I discerned from her remarks that she had traveled widely; wide-ly; Indeed, she told me that both her father and mother were never happier than when moving from place to place In search of variety and distraction. We had entered the huge paneled hall of the castle, and had passed up the quaint old stone staircase to the long banqueting hall with its paneled oak ceiling. It was pleasant lounging there in the cool old room after the hot sunshine outside, and as I gazed around the place I noted how much more luxurious and tasteful it now was to what it had been in the days when I had visited its owner several years before. "We are awfully glad to be up here," my pretty companion was saying. "We had such a busy season in London." And then she went on to describe the court ball, and two or three of the most notable functions about which I had read in my English paper beside the Mediterranean. She attracted me on account of her bright vivacity, quick wit and keen sense of humor, her gossip interested me, and as the golden sunset flooded the handsome old room I sat listening to her, inwardly admiring her innate grace and handsome countenance. I had no idea who or what her father was whether a wealthy manufacturer, like so many who take expensive shoots and give big entertainments in order to' edge their way into society by its back door, or whether he was a gentleman of means and of good family. fam-ily. I rather guessed the latter, from his gentlemanly bearing and polished manner. His appearance, tall and erect, was that of a retired officer, and his clean-cut face was one of marked distinction. I was telling my pretty companion something of my own life, how, because be-cause I Joved Italy bo well, I lived in Tuscany In preference to living in England, Eng-land, and how each year I came home for a month or two to visit my relations rela-tions and to keep in touch with things. Suddenly she said: "I was once in Leghorn for p. few hours. We were yachting in the Mediterranean. I love the sea and yachting is such awfully good fun, If yon only get decent weather." The mention of yachting brought back to my mind the visit of the Lola and its mysterious sequel. "Your father has a yacht, then?" I remarked, with as little concern as I could. "Yes. The Iris. My uncle Is cruising on her up the Norwegian Fiords. For us It is a change to be here, because we are bo often afloat." "So you must have made many long voyages, and seen many odd corners of the world. Miss Leithcourt?" I remarked, re-marked, my interest In her increasing, for she seemed so extremely Intelligent Intelli-gent and well Informed. "Oh, yes. We've been to Mexico, and to Panama, besides Morocco, Egypt and the west coast of Africa." "And you've actually landed at Leghorn!" Leg-horn!" I remarked. "Yes, but we didn't stay there more than an hour to send a telegram, I think it was. Father said there was nothing to see there. He and I went ashore, and I must 'say I was rather disappointed." "You are quite right. The town itself it-self is ugly and uninteresting. But the outskirts San Jacopo, Ardenza and Antigniano are all delightful. It was unfortunate that you did not see them. Was it long ago when you put In there?" "Not very long. I really don't recollect recol-lect the exact date," was her reply. "We were on our way home from Alexandria." Alex-andria." "Have you ever, in any of the ports you've been, seen a yacht called the Lola?" I asked eagerly, for it occurred to me that perhaps she might be able to give me information. "The Lola!" she gasped, and instantly instant-ly her face changed. A flush overspread over-spread her cheeks, succeeded next moment mo-ment by a deathlike pallor. "The Lola!" she repeated in a strange, hoarse voice, at the same time endeavoring en-deavoring strenuously not to exhibit any apprehension. "No. I have never heard of any such a vessel. Is she a steam yacht? Who's her owner?" 1 regarded her in amazement and suspicion, for I saw that mention of the name had aroused within her some serious misgiving. That look in her dark eyes as they fixed themselves upon me was one of distinct and unspeakable un-speakable terror. What could she possibly know concerning con-cerning the mysterious craft? "I don't know ttie owner's name," I said, still affecting not to have noticed her alarm and apprehension. "The 1 vessel ran aground at the Melorla, a dangerous shoal outside Leghorn, and through the stupidity of her captain was very nearly lost." "Yes?" she gasped, in a half-whisper, bending to me eagerly, unable to sufficiently suf-ficiently conceal the terrible anxiety consuming her. "And you did you go aboard her?" "Yes," was the only word I uttered. A silence fell between us, and as my eyes fixed themselves upon her, I saw that from her handsome mobile countenance coun-tenance all the light and life had suddenly sud-denly gone out, and I knew that she was in secret possession of the key to that remarkable enigma that so puzzled puz-zled vie. Of a sudden th doc opened, and voice cried gayly: "Why, I've been looking everywhere- ' for you, Muriel. Why are you hiddea here? Aren't you coming?" We both turned, and as she did so low cry of blank dismay involuntarily escaped her. Next instant I sprang to my feet. The reason of her cry was apparent, for there, in the full light of the golden I Regarded Her In Astonishment and Suspicion. sunset streaming through the long open windows, stood a broad-shouldered, fair-bearded man In tennis flannels flan-nels and a Panama hat the fugitive I knew as Philip Hornby 1 I faced him, speechless. CHAPTER IV. In Which the Mystery Increaaes. Neither of us spoke. Hornby started start-ed quickly as soon as his eyes fell upon me, and his face became blanched to the lips, while Muriel Leithcourt, quick to notice the sudden change In him, rose and introduced us In as calm a voice as she could command. "I don't think you are acquainted," she said to me with a smile. "This Iff Mr. Martin Woodroffe Mr. Gordon Gregg." t . We bowed, exchanging greetings 80 strangers, while, xarefully'vwatchlng, I saw how greatly the minds of both; were relieved. They shot meaning, glances at each other, and then, as he chatted with the daughter of the house, he cast a quick, covert glance at me, and then darted a meaning look at her a look of renewed confidence, as though he felt that he had successfully averted any . suspicions- I might- have held. We talked of the prospects of the grouse and the salmon, and from his remarks he seemed to be as keen at sport as he had once made out himself him-self to be at yachting. While I w carefully watching the rapid working of his mind, Leithcourt himself entered en-tered and joined us. Host and guest were evidently o the most intimate terms. Leithcourt addressed him as "Martin," and while they were talking Muriel suggested that we should stroll down to the ten--nis courts again, an invitation which, much as I: regretted, leaving the two men, I was bound to accept. Among the party strolling and lounging there prior to departure were quite a number num-ber of people I knew, people who had shooting boxs In the vicinity and were my uncle's friends. In Scotland there is always a hearty hospitality" among the sporting folk, and the laws-of laws-of caste are far less rigorous thai they are in England. I was standing chatting with tw . ladies who were about to take leave of their hostess, when Leithcourt returned, re-turned, but alone. Hornby had not accompanied him. Was it because he feared to again meet me? In order to ascertain something regarding re-garding the man who had so mysteriously mysteri-ously fled from Leghorn, I managed by the exercise of a little diplomacy to Bit on the lawn with a young married woman named Tennant, wife of a cavalry cav-alry captain, who was one of the house party. After a little" time 1 succeeded ' in turning the conversation to her fellow fel-low guests, and more particularly t the man I knew as Hornby. "Oh! Mr. Woodroffe is most amusing," amus-ing," declared the bright little woman. "He's always playing some practical joke or other. After dinner be is-usually is-usually the life and soul of our party." "Yes," I said, "I like wu.at little I have seen of him. He's a very goo fellow, I should say. I've heard that he's engaged to Muriel," I bazardeA. "1s that true 1" (TO BB CONTINUED.) |