"The Other John Smith,”

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 46, Issue 141002, 21 April 1920, Page 7

"The Other John Smith,”

PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT.

(By LEWIS EAMSDEN). Author of 1 ‘Prisoners of tlio Council,” “My Lady of the Car,” “The Goldeu Casiet,” “The Word of a Somerl eigh,” etc., etc.

(COPYRIGHT.)

CHAPTER XX.—Continued. 1 was standing by the window, endeavouring to further dissipate the effects of the drug by breathing in the tonic air from the sea when the door was unlocked, and the two men again appeared. “I have to request you to follow us downstairs, if you feel sufficiently recovered to do so,” said the sponesinau. “Certainly," I readily agreed, and ■speaking in accordance with my resolve to take everything as coolly as possible. “Please to lead the way.” Both the men glanced at me with a surprised curiosity. One ot them went in front and the other, the man who had spoken, came behind. As we commenced to go down the rather steep stairs which seemed to descend in several flights, he spoke again. “I should warn you, sir, that we are both armed, and that should you make the least attempt to escape, either now or presently, we have orders to shoot without hesitation.'’ That this warning was not without foundation they showed by each, displaying a pistol. “Thanks for your caution,” 1 laughed. “I am not likely to afford you any sport just yet, for even if 1 were to attempt to run, my legs are too confoundedly shaky to carry me far.’ We mot no one in our descent. Prom what 1 could see of the place it seemed to have a strangely familiar air, and it was comfortably furnished after the manner of a somewhat old-fashioned country residence; from each window of the tower in which we were decsending I saw the same view of sea, roclr and mist as from'the room above.

is a woman’s way.” “That is my business, monsieur!” she retorted, “That is so,” he admitted, with a contemptuous lift of his shoulders. “But, mein Gott! your man must justify his words now, or answer for them to me presently.” “1 can do either, sir—or both. Your associates commenced by attempting to assassinate! me in the gardens of Bromsgrove House. 1 have now been drugged, brought to this place, and during the lawless proceeding robbed.”

A passage Jed to a large hall, from which opened several doors, and at one of these our guide knocked. “Enter!” exclaimed a musical feminine voice, which I felt sure I had heard somewhere before, and at the same time there sounded the shrill, yapping bark of a small dog. The 'door was opened, and we all throe entered a drawing room, where two people stood expectantly. One of them was a man in undress uniform, and I recognised him immediately as having seen him in company with the Imperial Ambassador when on my way to Bromsgrove House the previous evening. I judged him to be a. military attache.

The other person was a lady, of petite but beautifully rounded figure, with face of round, childlike beauty, and the big, innocent seeming eyes of a child. She was the lady I had carried down from the top window of the burning hotel. CHAPTER XXI. M AI) A ME BOUTE A U. That I was greatly astonished at seeing this lady need hardly be stated; but, acting upon mv resolve to take things coolly, and also observing that the man was gazing at me intently, I tried my best not to show any more surprise than at meeting an acquaintance in an ordinary way. “This is quite an unexpected pleasure, madam, V I said, with as graceful a bow as my still shaky legs would permit me to make. The man looked pevplercd, and glanced from me to niadame. But neither he nor I could see her face, for she had bent down to pick up her dog, a diminutive! .Pekingese], which was still yapping furiously from a silken cushion oil which it was reclining. “Chut, chut! Naughty little DeJic, be quiet.” she exclaimed in French, pressing the tiny animal to her check, and giving it a series of slaps which would scarcely have disconcerted a fly. During this brief interlude niadame J s baby eyes shot me a glance which I fancied must be one of warning; but before she spoke she gave a hard little laugh. “I am glad you think the meeting a pleasure, Gaston. I t must he unexpected, of course, but you do not seem to be much surprised. ” I wondered what she meant by calling me Gaston. She cold’ not really mistake me for Gaston Fanchon,. the Other John Smith, or she would have done so when I had brought her down from the burning building. However, she had used the name deliberately, so J answered with caution. “I have ceased to be surprised by anything which may happen. I have had so many surprises of late.” The man, having signed to the two men to precede him, turned to me from the door, speaking with arrogant contempt. “Remember, Herr Marquis, that if you attempt to leave this place without giving the information we require, we have a short way of dealing with traitors. ’ ’ “For my own part, sir, I do not draw any fine moral distinction between the traitor, and the associates of the thief, or the would-be assassin, ” I said quietly but meaningly, v “Is that intended for me, Herr Marquis?” he demanded threateningly, as he advanced a step towards me. “I should think the application of the remark was quite plain,” I replied, for though the fact that nis contemptuous tone was intended for the Other .John Smith was "certainly some excuse, yet the arrogance which belonged to the military caste of the speaker’s country annoyed me, and the prospect of giving vent to my annoyance in a row braced me up. I felt considerably less shaky than I hud done a few minutes before. But as the officer and I glowered at each other 1 felt a restraining hand on my arm. “Gaston, Gaston!” pleaded madam's musical voice. “Be careful, I beg you. ’ ’ He turned upon the lady with a sneer. “You have changed your tone in your lover’s presence, madame. Before he came you were mad for revenge on him for his faithlessness; now you appear ready to condone it. I suppose it

“Oh! You are speaking of the money whieli has been taken from you ”” lie said with increased contempt. “Of course, that will be restored to you if, under certain conditions, you leave this place.” “Xo; I am referring to trinkets and personal belongings, some of them trifling, but a few of value, such as a cigarette case engfaved with my arms, and SO on.” “Do you know anything about this?’’ he asked, turning to the two men who were- waiting at the door. Both protested that they did not, and with apparent honesty. “I will attend to your complaint; Herr Marquis,” said the attache, now reverting to an official manner. “The merely personal belongings should have been examined and then returned, to. you. If any unauthorised person has detained them they shall be restored,”, and with this he withdrew. When I had mentioned the matter P had done so chiefly by way of retort.

Really it seemed, comparatively, so trilling; yet, wonderful to relate, that little breeze, the officer’s pique over the accusation of theft, and his care that it should be without foundation, were factors in deciding the fate of a dynasty and a nation, as the reader will presently see. Little thinking this, I turned with a smile and a bow to the lady. “May I now ask—?” I commenced, when she stopped mo by putting a finger on her lips and making a motion of,her head towards the door. “Call ine Lola,’’ she hurriedly whispered. “I am Madame Bouteau. ” (To be continued.}