Part 38 (2/2)

CHAPTER XVII

THE TRUE WORTH OF BARON PETRESCU

There was excite Rumor flies fast, and the ates atched, that Captain Ellerey, of his Majesty's Horse, was to be arrested, ossip at street corners, and woive, or to receive, inforrew current in this manner, which served to keep the excite There was unwonted stir in the secret societies and clubs, sy with Ellerey, since he had in some manner offended the Government They did not stay to inquire what he had done, or, indeed, to think whether his action would tend to further any scheh that he had shown defiance to the powers that be Every hour fresh ruerly denied Only two things were definite: there wasat the palace, and Captain Ellerey was not to be found

Those who lead rebellion, or pull the wires of conspiracies, are seldo's Ministers is wholly spread before the people There were leaders in Sturatzberg who knew e was not reassuring

Lord Cloverton did not expect the immediate arrest of Ellerey after the failure to discover him at the Countess Mavrodin's He had fully believed that he was there, and had purposely kept the Countess driving in the Bois until such time as the search should be acco, but his intervieith the Countess would bear fruit Ellerey would have to ates were closed that night, and no Captain Ellerey had passed through them Countess Mavrodin's house atched, and no one had left it So the A with a smile; so far his prompt action had saved the situation A few hours were destined to bring him surprises First caer who brought it was promptly taken before the Ambassador and sharply questioned He had received it froht, he said

”Why were you chosen as a ht it because I was paid to do so”

”You seem very certain of the time Did Captain Ellerey tell you the hour?”

”No, sir; the clocks were striking the hour as he spoke to me”

”What is Captain Ellerey like?”

The description given seemed satisfactory until after the nized that it would fit many men The cloak was Captain Ward's, but there was no certainty that Ellerey was the er To-day the city was being searched; the return of the cloak went to prove that Ellerey was still in Sturatzberg; had that been the intention in returning it?

The smile of satisfaction slowly faded frorow feverish for further news Later he ith the King when the Countess Mavrodin begged for an audience

”She hten your Majesty,” said Lord Cloverton, He could not believe that his cleverness would not be sufficient, sooner or later, to h the past was utterly barren of result

So Frina Mavrodin was admitted The presence of the British Ambassador did not disconcert her She went to the point at once

”Is it true, your Majesty, that my house was searched yesterday by your instructions?” she asked

”Countess, how can you think that?” said the King ”It is true that I commanded the arrest of Captain Ellerey, and that command may have been used to open your doors, as it would serve to open any door in Sturatzberg”

”I have heard of no other house being entered by force,” the Countess answered ”Naturally, I seek to knohy I am suspected”

She puzzled Lord Cloverton more than ever This was a bold stroke to disar, blandly, ”would you hold me responsible for the actions ofsearched in every corner for this rebel Captain It is pardonable if in the search soiven to innocent persons, is it not? Their loyalty should overlook the offence”

”True; but your Majesty, I would huravest importance to ; but when it is searched for a man who, at Court, has been somewhat in my company, the action affects me curiously It is not a question of loyalty, but one which concerns erate”

”Indeed, your Majesty, I do not, as Lord Cloverton can prove Only yesterday, in the Bois, he ossip linked ht render service toall I knew Is it not so, et him out of the city?”

This was ained for and an answer did not come readily to his lips

”Is it not so, my lord?” the Countess repeated ”I ad there was so between you and , if possible, to render you a service I seee, and even foolish actions This is the beginning and the end of ive ely timed with our drive in the Bois”

”Oh, Countess!” the Aet that I only availed myself of your courteous invitation”

”Which I could do no less than give since you explained that you had foregone your afternoon sleep to meet me there,” she replied quickly, and s woman of the world, as most people considered her; but Lord Cloverton see felt that he ought to come to his rescue