Some Unsuspected Isle

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXVI, Issue 2, 13 January 1906, Page 6

Some Unsuspected Isle

A Romance of Modern Greece

By

Blanche M. Burrell

(Concluded from last week.) •lt’s d<> or die now:’’ panted Dornby. \\'<- can onlv charge the line, and it that fails n~. punch a few heads before they knife n they can’t have brought loaded carbines down here.” And to th.- right they dashed, instinctively heading for home, the sturdy little consulate at the foot of the mountain, rhe ledge was bare, they ran with compiiafhelt little not e. and made better non that th.- scrub no longer im-pt-dfil their progre**: they knew that t lev had parsed tirM one, then a second ~f the f<»»>tpads. and on they sped, breath | e .s. desperate, the desire to turn and lioht strong within them. But suddenly Dornhx ga\e a hoarse, little cry. Down before them in tiie darkness shown a - light meant men. men. weapons! \nd leading to it wa- a narrow trail niatle l»x the goats, p rhaps. but an escape from the certain death which awaited them on the ledge. As Chisholm followed Doiiibx down the break-neck slope a white -diape ’-how n up distinctly on the ledge above them, then a second and a third, till all live Creek- -tood in an excited knot, looking about them for the two for eigners. lhe\ were discovered in an in -tant. hut that instant served to put seve ral telling yards bet wen them and their pursuers, ami the scramble down towards the light was brighteiled by some hope. I'inalis it was at an nd. They were on level ground once more, ami a short dash over a stubbx field was all that lay between them ami comparative safety. Dornby limped painfully: he had wrenclt e.l his ankh* in a last leap down the moun tain side. The brigands were gaining steadily: but when they threw themselves against the floor of the hut there were -till a few yards to spare. ‘Open, in Cod’s name!" cried Dornby. in hoarse Creek, and there was no need to call twice: the door was thrown back immediately, ami Toni Borze’s ln»nt figure t«»od outlined in the oblong of light that had been such a friend in need. Xeithe. Dornby nor Chisholm heeded his start Z\ surprise; they pushed un <• remoniously by him and looked quickly around for a weapon, anything with which to punish the Greeks who. like him gry wolves, still lurked outside. But Toni had sized up the situation at a glance: “My lord, my lord!” he cried, brokenly. “Set upon by your own people!” And. -looping, he would have kissed Dornby’s hand. But Dorothy drew back in astonishment, ami the old man went on: “It is because they do not know you. lord!” he said. "Wlix do you try your people in this way: T»ll them simply that you are their ma-ter. the master for whom we have l»een waiting so long, ami they will humble themselves to the dust for this nig’iC- work!” Dornbx turned a puzzled face to Chifc holm. ’Th old man seem- to fancy that I merelx have to introduce myself to those gentry on the other side of the door in order to make them leave us in apologetic p ace. What do you think?”

"lt’s a dangerous game, but they're live of them, and I'm not up in knifeihroxx ing, ? * andsered hi- friend, glancing at the one he had caught up from the table; "at the worst, it can only accelerate the tight, and 1 11 be close behind you.” Without another word Dornby xxalked tu the door and laid his hand on the latch. He did not look the ideal lord who had come to his own at last, as he stood with torn clothe.-, necktie awry, hair toss-i-4 l»\ hi- mad dash down the mountain. But in another instant he had thrown the dooi open and stood be tore the five brigands outside—an easy mark, if any one of them had cared to tire. Chisholm*- tall figure loomed behind him, ami Dornby found himself uttering a -pi riled address almost before he xvaawaie of what he was doing. "bo you dared show your fangs to your mast r, dogs?” he cried. "For that 1 -hould -hoot you down without mercy, if 1 cared to begin my rule by shedding traitors* blood! So, go; but see that you com • not again before me as robbers of unarmed men!” The five looked at each other in dull astonishment. "He says he is our lord. But why would the noble count wish to have as kill his next of kin?” Dornby did not understand what they muttered, but old Toni’s quick ears had caught every sound. He now stepped quickly, pas-ed his two guests ana answered tiie men a- one having authority . "Kill his next of kin, fools?” he said. "I an you not se that the noble count, thinking you knew all. wished to try your loyalty to your young lord, whom we have found at la-t? Our young lord, who pardons your crime so freely! It is by a miracle of God only that he xvas -axed from your traitors’ hands—spared to ble-s his people by his wisdom and mercy. A nexx sun has indeed risen in it haca!” And with a dramatic gesture, tiie old man turned and fell on one knee before Dornby. The other hesitated an instant, then as if drawn by some invisible force, came forward one by one and clumsily followmi -nit. Chisholm looked on with a bad lx -oppressed smile at this correct Englishman of a day ago receiving feudal homage from a half dozen swarthy' Greeks. But it was with a sigh of relief that he saxx their live would-be murderers take the path that led to Vathy. and heard the sounds of their toot steps die away in the distance. When all was quiet again. Dornby turned to their protector, old Borze. with an eager question. The man answered with a lloxv of words that Chisholm thought would never end. and for almost an hour the impatient consul was forced to listen to a conversation which he felt was of the greatest interest to him. but of which he did not understand one word. Finally Dornby looked at him xvith a smile. “T beg your pardon for keeping you waiting so long,” he said. “You must

be nearly dead; but Ive been nearing the most remarkable tilings! io give 3 uu it all in a nutshell, 1 am the true mid of the Megalopoli’ Live and learn, eh Z it seems my late grandlather hated my mother’, but when Uncle Alexander married—to every one's horror, he ‘actually married a French danseuse his dislike transferred to his son, with interest. And it took a material form, toi just before he died he made a will leaving everything he had to my mother or her heirs. That was perfectly legal, as the estate is not entailed, uiough for generations it has passed from father to eldest son. My uncle knew his father was bitterly angry, but he never dreamed it had gone as far as that, and he had the will read openly at the funeral when he found it existed, -tie may be a villain, my Uncle Alexander, but he is certainly a man of force. Toni tells me tiiat after the first start of surprise he never changed colour, and when the lawyer iiad finished, he said that his tattler's plans had not been unknown to iiim, and claimed the privilege of notifying his nephew himself. Just as he had finished speaking, however, the lawyer uttered a cry. Ide had laid the will on the table beside him while m 3 uncle was speaking, the wind had blown over the candle, and the whole parchment was in flames. My uncle reproached him bitterly for his carelessness, but the lawyer bettered his case somewhat by saying that there was a copy of the will in the old lord’s possession, which no

doubt could easily be found. Toni, who had been his master’s body’-servant, was questioned closely about it, but denied ever having seen it; however, it is known to exist. How much of all this was circumstance alone, and how much the result of well-laid plans, you’ll have to decide for yourself. All this happened over ten years ago, you see, and 1 have not been asked yet to take what is certainly mine. The count put up a bluff -about hunting me up, and the people were satisfied —he is not unpopular, in spite of his temper, and my motherhad almost faded out of the popularmemory. But I'm merely going to act in this matter; you may do the reasoning!” “And how are you going to act, pray?” cried Chisholm, stunned by the turn affairs had taken. “Why, find the will, with Toni’s help,” Dornby answered. “I’m not going to let even my uncle eheat me out of what rightfully belongs to me!” The gray dawn had driven away the night, the east was beginning to brighten with streaks of pink and gold. The two men took leave of old Toni, and stepped out into the fresh morning air. “A new sun had risen over Ithaca,” repeated Dornby. thoughtfully. “For good or evil? Who knows?” Harris looked at the note he held in his hand, turning it over and over. It had been brought early that morning bv one of the Megalopolis grooms, to be

iven immediately to his master, or, failag that, to Chisholm, and it was mark d important.” But before going to ed that night, or rather morning, both nen had given orders that they should lot be disturbed till they rang; and larris, judging by their appearance, had tot wondered that they were tired, ioruby was amused by his look if horrified surprise when he -i ugh t sight of his master, ratless, ragged, and dishevelled; but io explanations were vouchsafed, and he man knew nothing of the night’s ad entures. So, thinking the message he teld was at most an urgent invitation, le hesitated to disobey orders. •• -Important,’ ” he read for the hunIretlth time. “But how am I to know f it is so important?’’ He walked to he window and looked down into the •ourt, where the groom who had brought he note still stood talking. There was minething familiar about the man. With i start. Harris recognised his friend of he photograph episode. That decided lim. "I ain't goin’ to take no responsibility where that spyin’ fellow’s con•erned,” he thought; and a second later le was knocking at his master’s door. Dornby, wakened out of a sound steep, was iu no angelic humour. “I thought I told you not to disturb me?” he rrowled. "So you did, sir,” answered Harris. ’But there’s a note from Count Magalopolis marked ’important’, sir, and I thought I’d better bring it to you.” Dornby was wide awake in an instant; he held out his hand silently, read the note through without a word; then, his face aflame with excitement, he caught up a bathrobe and slippers, and before Harris could gasp twice, was off for Chisholm’s room. "Read this,” he cried, shaking his friend by the shoulder, “or rather. I’ll translate it to you.” "Owing to a disturbance last night, of which it is alleged that you were the cause, a party of islanders have decided to shoot you for a meddling foreigner. It is difficult to control such men. so for your own good. I advise yon to leave for the mainland as soon and as quietly as may be. I may add that none of the Vathy boatmen are to be trusted “MEGALOPOLIS.” "What do you make of it all?” ’’The Lord alone knows,” answered Chisholm, piously. “He’s up to some trick, we can be sure of that; but I’m no better a mind-reader than you are.” Here some one knocked, and at Chis holm’s “come," Harris appeared, an envelope in his hand. “A telegram for you Air. Chisholm, sir.” said he. “Perhaps this will throw some light •>n the count’s message.” Dornby lean ed forward eagerly, and it was with a thrill of foreboding that he saw Chisholm’s face grow blank with some emo tion, and then flush angrily. "Well, if this doesn’t beat all!” he cried at last. "It takes a pair of women to lay the final straw on the camel's bock, and he thrust the paper into Dornby’s willing hand. "Arrive this evening.” the Englishman read, and it was signed. “Martha Hardy.” "Who —who are they?” he gasped, thoroughly horrified. "We’ve enough to do. Heaven knows, without playing lad ies’ men!” "Aly aunt and cousin.” answered Chisholm. gloomily. “It couldn’t be worse! I knew they were making a tour of Europe, but who would have thought, at a time like this ” he paused: words were inadequate. “My aunt,” he went on. after a second, “is timorous, and Helena, one of those athletic girls who rides and shoots, and all that,” he finished, vaguely. “But can’t you telegraph them not to come?” asked Dornby, anxiously. “Tell them it is unsafe, that there’s an insurrection on hand. If I’m to be shot. I prefer to have it done quietly and without scandal.” “So you’re not going to leave?” Chisholm’s face showed what he felt, and he waited his secretary’s answer, half fearfully. “Leave? No!” Dornby answered. Then returning to the question in hand, he scribbled a few words on a sheet of paper, gave it to Chisholm for inspection, then he handed it to Harris, who still waited at the door.

"Gci. it off yourself, at once,' he said. Tiie door dosed behind Harris, and, having disposed of the second message, the two men fell again to discussing the first. Dornby had just declared ids decision to telegraph to England for proofs of his identity, and to search Castle Megalopolis for the missing will, when Harris reappeared. "They ain’t sending no telegrams, sir,’’ he announced. “WhaJ” both men cried in a breath. “No, sir,” Harris went on. “i took Mr Chisholm’s interpreter with me, ana he argued it out with the operator, but something is out of order, sir. Dornby and Chisholm looked at eaen other dumbly; then they sighed. “Wen,” remarked the consul. "Were in for i’t all around, sure enough. Tt> ■mod sou made up your mind not to Feave, if the \ athy boatmen aren t to be trusted, and you can t telegraph fol others.” ... A light broke over Dornby. nj there’s something behind all this,” he cried, “i’ll wager the count knew the wire was down when he wrote that note—with it jn my possession 1 could be murdered 20 times over, and no suspicion could fad on him. lies bound to keep the estate, but if 1 m not man enough to get and hold what is my own, 1 don't deserve much pity. 111 find that will if its behind triple bars of steel.” He paused, and loosed at Chisholm, then added, “I’m giving you a lot of trouble, old man, not to mention putting your very life in danger.’ “Nonsense,” answered Chisholm. •Didn’t 1 ask you to come?’ Not another word was said, but from that moment they felt that they undeistood each other, and could defend together tiie warlike little consulate from friendly invasion or foe's attack. A few minutes later they separated, to dress and make what preparation they could for their guests’ comfort, and as Dornby gave his final orders, several hours later, to serve tea in the garden as scon as Airs Hardy and her daughter arrived, the thought of entertaining two ladies seemed less obnoxious than it had when he first heard of their speedy arrival. "If she omy weren't athletic!” be mur mured; he knew that type. Chisholm hau posted Harris on the turret as lookout, and as soon as the man sighted the approaching boat, lie started for the wharf. Dornby watcheed Ids friends stride off with a feeling akin to envy; he felt at that moment quite homeless and friendless. And as the three came up the path, Chisholm talked to his aunt and cousin as if nc ha.l never contemplated denying them the shelter of his roof. ‘The hypocrite!” growled this straightforward Englishman. In another minute he was bowing before Mrs ami Miss Hardy, whom he had ample time to observe during tea. Mrs Hardy was what Chisholm had given him to expect, but was the daughter purely of the athletic type? He looked at her erect figure, brilliant eyes and complexion, and avowed that she certainly seemed in good physical condition, but he wondered almost angrily why Chisholm had led him to believe that their guest was a sort cf feminine Buffalo Bill. Shortly after tea the ladies disappeared, and remained invisible till dinner; but when Dornbysaw Miss Hardy in aa evening gown, he did not think the time had been wasted on her part. The deal was a very merry one, and both men eeased entirely to regret their lost liberty when, after coffee on the terrace, Miss Hardy produced a guitar and sang those old songs so dear to exiled ears. The evening slipped by, Dornby forgot he was supposed to be living in terror of bis life; and Chishlom’s fears for his guests' safety were drowned for the time being in singing “Down where the Wurzburger flows.” But the next morning brought all back again, and Miss Hardy’s innocent remark that she should love a hard gallop was received in gloomy silence. -What’s the matter?” asked the girl, quickly, looking from one man to the other. “Of course, I don’t main that either of you has to dance attendance on me—l know you’re busy a great part of the time.” “Oh, it’s not that,” Chisholm reas sured her; “Dornby’s afraid of being shot.” And in order to change the scornful

amazement in her eyes to something more flattering, Dornby was forced to relate his family history for the second time. “Well, did you ever!” was -Miss Hardy’s comment when he had finished, and the remark seemed to please her. for she repeated it again. "Well, did you ever! 1 knew Ithaca would be exciting, but 1 never expected this!” And Dornby felt that he had been most obliging to provide such novel amusement for this guest. “A ride? That would be too tame! We’ll just spend the morning planning how to find that will!” “For h. aven’s sake, don’t talk too much about it, Helena, even in English,” Chisholm cried. “You can never know who may be hearing what you say, and to what' account it can be turned. All this may be very amusing and dramatic to you, but Dornby and 1 find it pretty serious! ” “I’m sure Miss Hardy means wha. she says,” Dornby interrupted; "since she’s here, she feels that she might as well be interested in what’s going on. And if she helps me to find the will, he srniked, "I’m sure I’ll be only too grateful.” Miss Hardy let her fine eyes rest on her defender very kindly for a women.. Then she remarked, with some spirit, "You needn't be afraid that we'll get you into trouble, Cousin Barry. 1 dare say we are in the way,” she silenced Dornby’s denial with a gesture that did not interrupt her flow of words, '‘but now we are here, we’re going to be of use. If we’d only known what was i»oing on, we would have stifled our curiosity as to the typical island Greek. If we must study him, however, why, we’ve brought it on ourselves, and will do it to our profit —and 1 hope to yours. 1 think I’d better go and inform mother that we sailed from Corint.i into one of Anthony Hope’s novels—she mightn’t like it if it were sprung on her suddenly.” And she left the room with a little laugh that rang in Dornby’s ears all morning. "You shouldn’t have talked to her like that, Chisholm,” he said, reprovingly, when the last flutter of her white gown had disappeared. “You’ll mate, her feel that they shouldn’t have come.” “No more they should,” answered Chisholm, shortly, “but now that we’ve a moment to ourselves, for heaven s sake tell me what you intend to do. With the islanders ready to shoot you in the foreground and the count chuckling to himself in the wings. I’ve no time to brood over my unintentional offence to pretty women.” Dornby grew graver. “Do?” he returned. “1 sat awake half the night asking myself that question. When 1 saw that the boat Mrs and Miss Haidy came in remained at the wharf all night, J thought we could send them back in it to-day, if they didn’t like th,? prospect, but when the interpreter came back, after enquiring, he informed me that the boatmen were natives of Vathy, who refused to go to tte main land again for a. week or two. Do you know what 1 believe?” he laid his hand on Chisholm’s arm in his earnestness. “All this has been arranged by the count, from the moment lie saw mi? in the market-place. It’s not too much to suspect that in his anxiety to retain his little kingdom, he watches every stranger that lands as a eat does a mouse: the Greek that found my mother’s picture no doubt reported to him; the brigands were set on by him, the telegraph pperator bribed. The only thing he didn’t count on was old Toni Borze —■ Toni lias saved our lives, and he’ll do all in his power to endanger the count’s, if I’m any judge of men. You see, unless we steal a boat and row to Greece there is no way for us to escape. The count’s warning was more to insure his own safety than mine—and to-morrow or this evening, if necessary, I am going to act on a hint Toni gave me, and search Castle Megalopolis for the will. When 1 have it, 1 shall try to make Uncle Alexander see reason, and if that is impossible, Harris or you must and will bring help from the mainland.” "But how do you know that the count hasn’t found it already?'* questioned Chisholm. “Why, if it were found and safely destroyed. he could afford to snap his fingers in my face}” Dornby answered. “There’ll be no proof of my rights then. It’s the only thing in my favour, and as soon as I have had one more talk with Borze, I’ll go and find it!” Dornby spoke so confidently that Chisholih felt it would be an easy matter

for his friend to find that which his enemy had searched for many years. “Toni can read, ean’t he?” he asked. ■Then write him a note, and I’ll carry it over to him this afternoon, tnere’s no use in your running the risk, and none of my uncle’s are eager to shoot me down.” Dornby protestedj Chisholm was firm; and a vision of passing the hot afternoon in the cool study with Alias Hardy to listen to his plans, rising before him, he weakly succumbed to the American’s superior will, and wrote a lordly summons to old Toni. Ten minutes after Chisholm had left found Dornby and Miss Hardy comfortably, but eagerly, discussing ways and means in the consul’s sanctum. To see them seated cosily on a couch banked with pillows in the subdued light of half-lowered Venetian blinds, one would never imagine that the two were engaged in planning a robbery; nevertheless, one idea after another was brought up, talked over, and discarded as being too easily penetrated to be practical, till the shameless young schemers were almost despairing. “He must be clever, this uncle of yours!’’ cried Aliss Hardy at last. “How 1 should like to meet him!” Anil at last Dornby had an inspiration. “1 say!” he exclaimed. “How do you think it would do to ask him over one afternoon? You could talk to him and keep him here while I hunt for the will!” Aliss Hardy clapped her hands enthusiastically; the insinuation that she could keep the count chained to her side for an indefinite length of time did not seem to displease her. “Oh,” she cried, “if we only could! I know this is a serious affair for you, but while we’re doing it we might as well get all the fun out of it we can!” This view of the case had struck Dornby when he allowed Chisholm to carry the note to Borze; but he only remarked, philosophically: “If a man doesn’t act on that principle he never gets any fun out of life, but I really think we’ve struck an idea now that’s worth while. We’ll give a little breakfast, show the count about, keep him as long as we can, and 1 hope I'll lie on my way baek with the will before he is ready to go home!’’ “And so do I!” the gill echoed, heartily; “I’ll do all I can to make him stay,” she added. “I really believe you will!” Dornby said, looking at her half curiously. "But I can't Hatter myself that it will be for my sake! it's more from your love of seeing a thing through, now isn’t it?” Aliss Hardy smiled. “I really do like you,” she announced, “and, of course, I’m immensely interested in what you’re doing — yes, and I want to see it through, too; I want to see you come baek in triumph with the w.ll, and your wicked uncle gnashing his teeth in impotent rage, anil old Toni pensioned and happy. Then I expect you to say: "Aliss Hardy, without your tremendous, ability and will power to aid me in. the crisis we have just passed. I never lyoq.ld; have stood on my present emjuiepee. Thank, you. ma’am!" “Oh. 11l say that now!” answered Dornby. "Thank you for being so in-

terested, and no enthusiastic, and, reil, just for being!” He took her hand, as she rose to go and smiled down on her, “Why, you ve helped me tremendously already, nerved me to do well and at once what I’d only have bungled if you hadn't been nere to suggest things.” “Hello!” cried Chisholm, coming in hot and dusty, after his long walk. “Old Borze has your note, Dornby, and I dare say he’ll turn up a little later.” Dornby’s idea of a little breakfast, including the count, struck everyone favourably, even Mrs Hardy, who disapproved of almost everything else that could happen in Ithaca, past, present and to come. She did not know what lay behind it. Chisholm decided that the less they talked about their plan the better; but, eager to meet the one nobleman the place afforded, she swallowed the faet that he was the typical wicked uncle of the story books, and offered to help prepare for the event in any way possible. So the date was fixed several days distant, the invitation written, the count’s cordial acceptance received, and the inmates of the little consulate sat down to wait for the morning that meant so much to all. Dornby and Miss Hardy employed - the interval in becoming better kc._ quainted; Chisholm in getting, more, restless and nervous every hold? of the , time; and Toni in drawing an fl elaborate , plan of his old master’s apartments, and ; the place he thought thy, hidden will ■ was concealed. It was. by the merest t accident that the ex-vplet had discover- . ed his master’s cunning hiding place,, but he was willing to use his knowledge, now in favour of the English son of his. former mistress, though he had kept it; a secret from the man who had injured; him. For Toni had his rea^ops.for hatting the Count Alexander with a]T the ardour of which his Greek blood! wias capable. So the time- passed, to Dornby at least quickly enoug|h, for his American friend’s cousin both amused and interested him. At first he had taken her as a good representative type; and he made himself agreeable to her according to his lights. But he very soon discovered that she considered herself capable of more than flirting or athletics, though she was averse to neither as pastime; and, as is the way of the he began to judge her according her'. own standards. She was very young: but her sage remarks and life j were apt, and amused hiry v mightily, while it interested him to. lyuit for her ■' little weaknesses—her strong were so very apparent. So the fateful; Thursday dawned at last, bright anj| serene; and as Dorp by was siyveyingj himself and his completed toi]et- in tin-' 'mirror with pardonable sa tisfact'iiim. C hisholm rapped at the, dpor. He, too, was attired; ip frock; i-oaitt, with a flower in his l|utfonhoh>. but the dignity of his eosfuine. contrasted with the nervous excitement his keen eves and usually, selCeon-tained manner. “I’m glad to see you’re ready,” he said. “Are you sure everything is arranged between you and Borze? The slightest slip might mean—well, almost anything, you know!” ‘■'Down to the smallest details,” answered Dornby, serenely; “and I scarcely think that Toni will make a mistake.

It’s all so very simple, yon see. The count arrives; I welcome hfm. In a few minutes you appear; while we're all talking amiably, Harris hands you a telegram—the interpreter says that Vathy can receive telegrams, but not send any; so we have his lordship there. You remark, ‘Basil, my boy, the reports must be gotten off to-day, especially if you expect to return home.’ I, horrorstruck, will exclaim that it’s impossible; you must shrug your shoulders and Bay, meaningly, that there are still seven good hours before sunset, and that more lies before me than I can well accomplish in the time left, as it is. I look angry, beg the count to excuse my enforced absence, and stalk front the room, and if he asks you, tell him that I contemplate giving up my position for some reason. Mrs Hardy's real surprise when I do not appear at the table ■will in no way detract from the effect.” “Heavens, man!” interrupted Chisholm; “I've rehearsed all that a dozen times already; get on to old Borz.e!” “I then proceed to my room,” continued Dornby, imperturbably; “don my riding trousers and coat, so that the Megalopolis grooms will not question my sanity, and after an hour’s hard galloping, reach the castle. Borze will be there before me, so I shall have no difficulty in meeting him, and together, with the help of this note from the count to his servants—-I never knew 1 would turn forger—we will go to the old count's rooms to settle our bet, as we must leave the others to believe, and after that it’s all plain sailing. Whether we will actually find the will or not remains to be seen. At least, I’ll have made the effort!” “Well, old man.” said Chisholm, grasping his friend’s hand. “1 hope your efforts will be crowned with success; I’m sure you deserve it. We ll do our part by keeping the count busy, and so, good luek to you!” He turned abruptly and left the room, Dorr.h yfollowing more leisurely. In the hall he met Miss Hardy. “How adorable you look in that white frock,” he cried, when he caught sight of her—he took the liberties of an old friend now. "You’ve no idea how madly jealous I feel when I think that it is not put on in my honour.” “But for your interests,” she assured him, smilingly. “I have to do my poor best to be attractive; just fancy how horrible it would be if the count should grow tired of Cousin Barry and mother, and decide to go straight home as soon .as he’d finished eating. I d have to step in then and save the day! “And I'm as confident as you are that you could do it,” Dornby replied. "Oh, what a horrid thing to say, and When I'm really trying to help you,” cried the girl. She turned away from him, and Dornby. wondering how he could have said anything so rude, was really afraid that he had offended her. His heart tightened at the thought. Why, Megalopolis might find and shoot him for a thief before he would see her again! “What a brute I am!” he said, remorsefully. “1 didn’t mean to be horrid, really, and though I'm always acting like a cad. I am ready to beg your pardon like a gentleman, if you’ll only let me. That’s right. What an angel of forgiveness you are! Why, I wouldn’t have left you" like that for anything in the world!” There was a clatter of horses’ hoofs in the courtyard. “It must be the count—good-by,” said Miss Hardy, softly, as she withdrew her hands from Dornby’s. “I know you’ll find the will, but don’t be reckless.” She slipped away, and a door closed behind her. Dornby took an impetuous step after her, but as the horses in the court drew up before the door, a realisation of what he had undertaken swept over him, and he tuned instead to greet Count Megalopolis.

Chisholm had rehearsed the scene that followed so often that when It actually took place he felt that he was acting from habit. Everything went smoothly; Harris’ entrance with the telegram was perfection, and Dornby made his angry exit a few minutes later. As Chisholm’s strained ears caught the sound of a horse being led quietly across the court, he knew that his friend was off; and after that he set himself to play his game to the best of his ability. He made a very passable host, easy, attentive, a good listener, and an hour passed quickly bjr. He pictured Dornby dismounting before the castle gate now, but remembered himself in time to laugh pleasantly as the count finished his little story. The breakfast was a distinct success. Mrs Hardy, though annoyed at Dornby’s nonappearance, was at her best, and the count appropriated Helena to such an extent that Chisholm found himself wondering what Dornby would say if he could see it. They rose from the table. “He has either found it or given it up now,’’ thought Miss Hardy, as she handed the count a book of views she had taken during her trip through Europe. Megalopolis was enjoying himself, at least he seemed to be in no hurry to go. “It is so rare that I have the pleasure of such company.’ he explained softly to Miss Hardy. The minutes dragged on. It was hard work now for Chisholm to keep his thoughts from wandering. “Your secretary.’’ said the count, suddenly, “is he stiil hard at work?’’ “On the contrary,’’ answered Dornby’s voice from the doorway. “He has finished all he had to do entirely to his satisfaction,” and, immaculate in frock coat as before, his face flushed and his eyes shining with triumph, the secretary entered the room with no signs of labour about him. Fortunately for all concerned, the count ordered his carriage a few minutes later, and was soon bidding them good-by. “I am sorry not to have seen more of you,” he said to Dornby, “but one’s Work must be done, and my loss is. no doubt, your gain. And with that he left them. A student of men’s faces might have read a great deal in his smile as he drove homeward: but the little party in the consulate had forgotten the vanquished in the victor, for the will of old Basil Megalopolis had been found at last! “It all went so smoothly,” Dornby was saying to his little audience of three, “that I felt as if I were cheating the old fellow.” “Toni was waiting for hie just where I expected him. Together we made our explanations, and the Megalopolis grooms were so taken in by my forged note that they almost anticipated our Wants. They showed us up to my grandfather’s apartments, -which Were so characteristic of the man that Id have forgotten what I came for if Toni hadn’t been there to remind me, and the old fellow’s guess was so correct that we put our hands on the will in less than 20 minutes. By George, but I felt good! It was by the merest fluke in the world that Toni knew where it was. He was alone with the count when he died, and the poor old gentleman was out of his head toward the last. M ell, I stuck the paper in my pocket, fed the groom, and rode off —the whole thing was so commonplace that it doesn't even make a good story.” He finished a little regretfully: perhaps since it was all over- he would have preferred a hair-breadth escape or two, something worth talking about. But his three friends were well enough satisfied, the strain they had been under all' morning was a thing of the past, and the victory was with them. All that remained now was to find a safe place .for the precious will, and to keep Dornby out of harm’s way till he could manage to escape with it. The four sat without speaking for a few minutes after Dornby had finished, till Miss Hardy broke the silence with a question. “What do you think Count Megalopolis will do now?” she asked, “when he finds you've been to the castle? He'll know what you came for, won't he?” Her remark was, ns usual, to the point. The two men looked nt her - for a second without answering. "What will ho do?” repeated the girt’s mother a trifle nervously. She had met the count and could not imagine him doing anything very terrible; nevertheless, these Greeks were still an unknown quantity io her. “Do?" replied Chisholm, at last. “Why, as to that, we'll have to wait and see,” and with this sage remark ho rose to leave the room, Dornby followed him.

Moved by a common impulse, both walked toward the terrace, but were stopped before they reached it by Harris. who for the second time was bringing his master a letter from Count Megalopolis. Dornby opened it on the spot, ami as he read it such a change came over his usually impassive feature that ( hisholm looked at him in dismay, not knowing whether to speak or to be silent. With a sudden movement, Dornby tore the paper across and threw it from him. “So much for his demands!” he cried. “What do you think, (.hisholm? The cowardly sneak writes to me that he made it convenient for me to find his father’s will, and that he expects me to hand it over to him at once. Otherwise, he will use me as he wolf'd any other common thief, and any one who aids me to escape or resist the law. meaning himself, he will regard as an accomplice! I*ll shoot him down myself if he dare to lay a finger on a single person within these walls.’’ The man was in a passion: his quick Greek blood, which had been lying dormant all these years, was roused at last, and the Englishman in him faded away before it. But Chisholm was angry, too. He was not the man to swallow such a threat calmly, and he felt a sudden hatred spring up in him for the (4reek who could “smile ard smile, and be a villain still,” apparently by second nature. Beside 3, no man receive- the nows that ho has been outplayed at his own game with a calm indifference of spirit, and (hisholm, like Dornby, felt that it would be dangerous for the man to at* tempt to “inforce the taw,” in the little American consulate. “Put your precious parchment in a safe place over night. T don’t think even he will dare attack an American consulate. but if he docs- ” and the consul paused, significantly. “I’d better break the news to my aunt and Helena.” he added. “Heaven knows, they came here of their own free will, but I feel sorry for them,” and he hurried away. Dornby’s brain was in a whiifl. He would nevfcr give up his only proof to what was lawfully his own, but neither did he wish to endanger the lives of his two helpless guests, for he knew that the count was not beyond using vio-

lence. So lie hurried after Chi-diolm, only to be stopped by Helena, who was coming to meet him. “Is it true,” she cried, “that Count Megalopolis may kill us al if you don't give up your will?” “Hardly that," he ansnenil. smiling in spite of himself. “He may shoot me, for that would answer his purpose quite ns well as tearing up all that paper, but wholesale murded wouldn't benefit him a ny “But can't you have him arrested?” the girl asked. “Is there no law or order? Why. we might as well he living in the thirteenth century!” “Quite as well,” replied Dornby. “Megalopolis is all the law and order of the island incorporated: so it's either do as he commands, or die—which would you prefer? - ' “I certainly don't want to die." answered Helena, frank’ly. “but there's not much danger of my getting hurt, as you say. And if 1 were you. I'd keep that w ill and see what happens.” “So that is your advice?" said Dornby, gravely. “Well, I think I'll take it, on one condition. You shall keep the will, and if at any time you think you arc in danger, you must give it up. You won’t promise? Then I shall be obliged to hand it over myself." “No! give it to me!” the git’’ cried; “I’ll take earc of it. rather than have you give it up. even on those conditions." And grasping the packet lie gave her in both hands, as if she feme I it would escape, she ran toward the house, amt her white-clad figure disappeared a minute later from the man who looked after her. Dornby was left alone in the garden now —alone with a tumult of new emotions which he did not stop to analyse. For below him. at the foot of the hill on which the consulate stood, was a. littl'e patch of white, blurred ami indistinct, but still visible. Soon it was joined by another and another: presently the crowd of Greeks began to move up the hill toward him. and Dornby realised that the time for action had come. He ran toward the gun room, calling for Chisholm and the interpreter as he went, and taking down the guns

from the rack —guns which Harris had packed with no bigger game than a chamois in view—he ga\e his orders rapidly. “Chaconas,” lie said to the interpreter, “give the two grooms and the stable boys each one of these ride®, and tell them that if they don't use them when the right time comes they may be murdered, while if they try to escape they aura'y will. And keep one for yourself. Harris, take mine and yours and stay by me. Chi-holm. old man. there's no time to be lost, so I won’t stand on ceremony of saying ’by your leave;’ we'll have to see what those devils are going to do. and then beat them off any way we ran.” He turned, and stopped suddenly as he saw Helena standing silently in the doorway, with <yes fixed on the rifles and piles of cartridges. She looked such a sweet, helpless figure, that as he thought of the sinister band on the hrlside he turned sick with apprehension. but the wish to protect her that swept over him left him stronger in »ts turn. “You see what it means to keep the ‘will.** he said to her. gently. “Yes. I see.'’ she answered; “but it's certainly worth it.” There was no time to say more. Harris, looking, for once in his well trained life, more ’.ike a man than an automaton, rushed into the room. •‘They're at the gate, sir.” he cried. “Chaconas says they’ want to come in, but you'd U tter go and sec.’’ Dornby took the rifle the man handed him. “Chisholm, take Miss Hardy and her mother to the safest place you can find, and then join me,” he said, and he ran toward the gate. There was a eonfusi : s ui Is as h< i : he 1 it. Chaconas, the interpreter, was reasoning as well as he could with the crowd outside, and the footmen and the grooms, like himself, natives of Corinth, were huddled around him. Thor? was a small iron wicket to the gate, ami opening it a crack. D« rnby a-ked the men on the other side what they wished. One among th in. stepping forward, answered that Count Megalopolis had ordered them to take from the foreigners a certain . paper, peaceably if possible; by force, if necessary. “It will never h? peaceably,” answered Dornby. and he closed the wicket with a determined snap. “They'll try’ to beat down the gate in a few minutes,” h? exclaimed to Chisholm, who came running toward him. “I’m going up in the turret. where 1 can pick them off as soon as they commence operations. You station the men at the four sidk?s of the wall to keep watcli, and we ll await developments.” He ran to the little tower that overlooked the gate, and from whose top he could &:•. plainly every man in the little crowd beneath.. For an instant he stood looking down on them; then one, raising his earbine, smashed the w i< ket in at one blow , and .\uo*h« r tired quickly through the opening at the consulate’s protect is. Dornby hesitated no longer. He raised the rifle, and taking deli be rate aim. fired for the first time in his life at a fellow Leiug. After that first shot he seemed no longer himself. lie stood in an acrid cloud of smoke ami fired again and again at the savage group of Greeks, who battered at the gate. He scarcely noticed that they had discovered him. and that their bullets were zipping past

his head; or that Harris had joined him and was firing with a praiseworthy coolness; it was only when, unable to stand being picked off by two such sharpshooters, the Greeks broke and ran for shelter, that Dornby thought of anything save mechanically loading and firing. Leaving Harris to guard the gate, he started to see if Chisholm was in any need of help. The little consulate was practically invincible from the side overlooking Vathy, as the hill was too steep and the wall too high for any man to attack. The opposite side was being defended by Harris from the tower, so Chisholm posted his nun to the right and left. They were unable to see over the high wall from where they stood: they could only wait, ready to shoot at the first man who attempted to scale it. And a cry from Harris warned them that something was being accomplished on the outside. A second later, the heads of two Greeks appeared, two guns banged simultaneously, and the wails were clear again as before. But the attack had begun again in earnest. The men had no time to speculate on the enemy's action now—no time even to hope lor their friends’ safety. Greek after Greek sealed the wall, only to fall back before he could use gun or revolver. Those that managed to reach the ground safely were soon shot or clubbed down — at first: as lime went on. and the cartridge boxes began to look emptier than was pleasant, they seemed to come on more rapidly, and the men began to fight with the energy of despair. The noise of the shots drowned Hanis' cry from the turret. On they fought desperately, madly—till a crash made itself heard over the noise, then another, with the sound of splintering timbers, and Chisholm realized what had happened —the Greeks had come to the gate again, had beaten it down in spite of Harris’ defence, and were pouring into the courtyard through the opening they had made. The fight now was merely a scuffle; it was impossible for the consulate to pretend to hold her own. Chisholm lifted his gun to fell a Greek, whose eyes and knife gleamed with the same steelylight, when a voice rose above the din — Domby’s: “Stop! For God's sake stop!” it cried: ‘Til give up the will before any more are murdered!” “It is high time,” came the smooth answer, and Count Megalopolis stepped through the splintered gate into the courtyard. He waved back his men and stood before Dornby. who, coatless and black with powder, glared at his noble uncle out of a pair of burning eyes. “I'll save you from shedding any more blood,” cried the young man to the older one, ■ though, as you were safely hidden while there was any fighting to be done, I can’t truthfully say you have covered yours*-’.f with much more blood than glory.” "It does no good to bluster,” interrupted Megalopolis, quietly: “give me the will and you shall go, otherwise ’ he looked at Chisholm, Harris, and Chaconas, who had gathered around Dornby, and from them to the crowd of Greeks who half filled the courtyard. "I think you will give me the wiH,” he finished with a smile. ■‘Yes. I shall give you the will,” answered Dornbv. "Where is Miss Har-

But a cry of despair from the girl’s mother was his only answer. “Oh. so she has escaped with it!” said the count, as if in explanation; "I am sorry for your sakes, gentlemen,” adding to his men in Greek. "Bind them; they are our prisoners!” Miss Hardy was at that time busy manufacturing adventures of her own. From the moment that Dornby bad given her the will to keep, she had felt weighed down with responsibility, and the sound of firing that soon came to her ears only added to it. It was horrible to sit in the dark study without an idea of what was going on; after a few minutes she could stand it no longer, and in spite of a tearful protest from her mother, the girl left the room and ran up the stairway to the deserted servants’ quarters, from whence she could see both sides of the unequal fight. As she watched Greek after Greek join the group outside of the consulate ww’.ls she realised that it would be impossible to hold the place for any length of time, and for a moment she stood shaking with fright, picturing the Greeks swarming into the court, Dornby and Chisholm shot, herself and her mother prisoners. And a mad desire to - escape seized her—a desire that was replaced by almost as mad a plan to rescue all her friends, she felt that nothing could be mere horrible than standing there seeing them shot down, one by one. and a scream from the stable boy who fell writhing to the ground was enough to decide her. She stole softly down the stairs again and out into the court, where all was confusion, and making for the one wall that was not being attacked. she pushed a bench close to it, climbed to the top, and, hanging by her hands, dropped the remaining six feet to the ground below. The rest was like some horrible dream to her. Ihe darkness folded her around, but she let herself be guided by the sound of the ocean, hoping to find a boat before she herself could be discovered or captured, and to escape in it to the nearest island, Cephalonia, where she could hope to find some one who would understand her language and need of help. By the time she reached the shore she was bruised and scratched from her rought and tumble descent of the hill, but so far she had come unobserved and in safety, and she was beginning to take heart when the figure of a man loomed up suddenly before her. The man took a few quick steps toward her, but her half-suppress-ed scream changed to a sigh of relief as she recognised Toni Borze. The old Greek seemed overcome with surprise at seeing her there alone; but he. too, I'.ad heard the shots and guessed everything the girl had seen. But when, in her desire to explain and gain his help, Helena repeated "Cephalonia—Cephalonia!”—the old man realised in a flash of inspiration what was expected of hint. Hurrying his charge toward the shore, he helped her into a boat that was lying at anchor, and in a few minutes they were rowing for Cephalonia as fast as a very old and a very young pair of arms could take them. But Dornby knew- nothing of this desperate rescue that Helena had planned alone and was now executing. When he found himself bound by Megalopolis’ Greeks, and, with Chisholm, carried into the hall of the consulate, he felt that

his little visit to his mother’s birthplace was about to eost him dear. But he was unprepared for the count's next words. “The ropes are thin, but you think they will hold for an hour?” he asked one of the Greeks; and as the man replied to his satisfaction, he added, "Then fire the building!” Dornby could not repress a gasp of horror. "Yes,” said the count, as if in answer. "I could shoot you, but there would be your bodies to dispose of, while if the consulate burns and you perish— *’ he shrugged his shoulders. "Come men!” and the consul and his secretary were left alone. “Chisholm!” said Dornby. hoarsely. A sharp crackling noise was heard outside; a forked tongue of flame shot up, curling in through the open windows, and Chisholm understood. It seemed hours later, when Dornby felt himself being dragged out of the dense smoke into the pure air that he eould breathe in long gasps. “Well, of ail cold-blooded murders!” he heard an English voice say. "Thank heavens, we got here before the fire reached them.” It all came back to him then, and realising that he was no longer bound, he rose slowly to his feet. Quite a little crowd of English sailors stood about. Chisholm and Helena were close by. and on the ground, smiling quietly up at the stars, lay stretched the figure of Alexander Megalopolis. "Did you—kill him? asked Dornby, looking around him vaguely. "He shot himself, dear, when ha found he was taken, answered Helena, gently. Dornby took a few uncertain steps toward her. "Tell me —what has happened? he asked. She helped him to the terrace, and there, seated side by side on the very bench that had aided in her rescue, Helena told him how she and Borze had found the sailors and brought them back just in time. It took a long time to explain everything satisfactorily—so long, in fact, that Chisholm had to come in search of them. “I say!” he cried, “have you people forgotten that there's such a thing as breakfast?’ But he saw they had forgotten it—yes, and everything else except each other and the future that spread out before them, rosy as the light that was streaking the east with gold.