CHAPTER 17 OF PRINCE OR SHOEFUR THE NIGHT ATTACK As a smart young seaman escorted the two young women to the bridge and placed them beside the six-pounder gun, the two destroyers, Jefferson and Destang, and the torpedo boats Barclay, Rogers, Bagley, Philip and Dyer were sweeping between Fort Adams and Rose Island in echelon formation. Long columns of gray-black smoke pouring from the funnels mingled with a heavy haze of the August evening, there was a bobble of a sea on, and as the Jefferson signal for the vessels to come up into line, the scene presented by the grim but live torpedo boats, each hurrying across the waves to its appointed position, rolling in the sea hollows and pitching clouds of spray over grimy boughs, appealed suggestively to Miss Wellington, who stood with her hand tightly clenched in Sarah's. Huge blue-black clouds with slivery shafts showing through the rinse the wind had made bank the western horizon and out to Seaward, the yellow-brunton reef light vessel rolled desolate on the surge. Isn't it beautiful, murmured Anne, half to herself? It is so different from being on the Mayfair, isn't it? Sarah nodded. So much more fun, she replied, much more thrilling. As a matter of fact, the atmosphere of expectancy filled the vessel. Armitage concerned with the navigation of the ship, his cap reversed to keep the wind from getting under the peak, and lifting it into the sea had neglected them utterly, and the junior had not withdrawn his head from the chart boot for half an hour. Time and again, Jack's face swept past, unseeing them toward the quartermaster with hands on the wheel at the rear of the bridge, crying crisply, helm to port, and the quartermaster replied as he twisted the wheel, helm to port, sir, then ease your helm, ease your helm, sir. The dark had fallen now, ahead the point, Judith, a settling boy, sent its rays toward them. When they came abreast of it, it was pitch black, and the white light on watch hill was made out to the southeastward. Suddenly from the Jefferson's Deck, a series of red and white lights began to wink and blink, answering signals twinkled over a mile of water, and the boats stopped their engines, rolling like logs on the waters. Armitage walked over to Anne and Sarah, who in their coats and caps, looked not unlike officers themselves. How do you like it? Oh, it is terribly interesting, said Anne. What are you going to do now? Wait for the battleships, I imagine, said Armitage. We don't really torpedo them, he added. The object is to get as close as possible, without being observed. They tried to locate us with search lights. As soon as they see us, they put the light on us and fire a red star. After that star is fired, the discovered boat must steam full speed for the quarry for one minute, and then fire a green star and turn on her lights. The distance from the battleship to the boat is measured, and if we are within torpedo range 2000 yards, the torpedo boat wins. If the distance is greater, we are technically out of action. The battleship wins. How interesting, Anne gazed at Armitage admiringly, and that is what you would do in real warfare then, rush into the very face of the battleships, firing in the effort to blow her up. About that, smiled Armitage. But what a risk, you must steam through a perfect hail of bullets with chances of striking with your torpedo largely against you, and even if you do strike, you are liable to pay the price with your lives. Am I not right? These pirates of the flotilla, Laugh Jack, do not think of the price, they're in the navy to think of other things. And is that the spirit of the American navy? Of course, Armitage looked at her curiously. Why not? Anne laughed and shrugged her shoulders. Oh, I don't know. I know something of the British and French navies, but patriotism, the sort of spirit you speak of has always appeared to me such an abstract thing as regards America. It's because I suppose I've never known anything about it, because I've been more or less of an expatriate all my life. Jack had been watching a display of arduar lights from the Jefferson's mass. He turned away but spoke over his shoulder. Don't be that, Ms. Wellington, for you have proved to me that a girl or a child, real as you have been, can be American in every instinct and action. I'd never believed that. He hurried away to the bridge rail, and Anne's arm turned red under the impress of Sarah's fingers. In compliance with the Jefferson's signals, the engines of the flotilla began to throb, and the boats turned to the eastward. A cry came from the disdain's lookout, and then Sarah leaned forward and saw that a blundering sailing vessel, her dark sails ablatch against the sky, her haul invisible, was careening just ahead. She had no lights and curses on the heads of coast-wise skippers who take risks and place other vessels in jeopardy merely to save oil, swept through the flotilla like ether waves. Armitage led a good angler Saxon objurgation slipped from his tongue as he turned toward the yeoman. Half speed, half speed, sir, answered the yeoman as he tugged at the engine room telegraph. All eyes were now on the schooner. How was she heading? A group of seamen stood beside Armitage and Johnson on the bridge, trying to ascertain that important point. A flash of lightning gave a momentary glance of greasy sails balled to port. She's on the starboard tack, crossing the flotilla. All right, there was relief in Jack's voice as they called for full speed ahead. It's no fun to ram a merchantman with all the law you get into, said the signal quarter master, standing there at the young women, and if they hit you, goodbye. But the schooner had a knowing captain. He had no intention of trying to cross all those sharp bows. He quickly tacked between the dust-stang and Barclay and passed the rest of the boats astern. Slowly the boats were loafing along now. At 10.30 the Jefferson winged her signals at the rest of the flotilla, put out all lights. As the young women glanced over the sea, the truck lights died responsibly. Then the green and red starboard and port lamps and lights and wardroom and galley went out and men hurried along the deck, placing tophalons over the engine room gratings. Only the binnacle lights remained and these were muffled with just a crack for the helmsmen to peer through. A great blackness settled over the waters. To Anne, always an impressionable girl, it was as though all life had suddenly been obliterated from the face of them. Her hand tightened its grasp on Sarah's fingers, for as the vessel plunged along, there was a palpable impression that the flotilla, now hurrying forward in envious haste, was pitched for the supreme test. After the seaward signal, lights from the parent ship Rossine, having on board the officer in charge of the Navy's mobile defenses, wishes to say torpedo boats had flared and died, the battleships were approaching. Anne, quivering with excitement, peered out through the night, nothing but darkness. Below, lined along the rails, she caught dull outlines of the white calves of the seaman, all as eager to defeat the battleships as their officers. She saw the phosphorescent gleam from a shattered wave, but she heard nothing, not even a swish of water. Johnson approached diffidently and leaned over the rail at their sides, draining his eyes into the night. The chances of making a successful attack, he said, are best if we approach from almost ahead, a little on the bow. Then we are lessening the distance between us, at the sum of the speeds of the flotilla and the battleships. We'll hit up about 25 knots when we see them. Of a low in size of voice, sounded forward, a blotch of a hand and arm pointing. There was a movement on the bridge as a dark object came close. It was the Jefferson. A doll figure leaned over her bridge with a megaphone. We've blown out some boiler tubes and scalded a couple of them dust-dang. Go in ahead. All right, Jack's voice was muffled. Again came the voice of the lookout, and the arm pointed ahead. Oh, Anne pinched Sarah's arm. I see them. See those great blotch shadows over there? She stepped forward. Shall I tell them? But Armitage had seen. He turned to the yeoman. Full speed ahead. Full speed ahead, sir. The slender hull throbbed with the giant pulsings of the two sets of engines. There was not another sound. It was as though the vessel were plunging through an endless void. In the darkness a stern arose, a spear-like puff of crimson flame. Again it appeared, and again, quivering sinister. Dan the Barclay, she's torching. There came a shout from out of the dark, and in an instant, two great beams of lambent light cut wide swaths through the pall. They were too high. They missed the dust-dang altogether and rested on the Barclay's smoke, which rose and tumbled and billowed and writhed like a heavy shroud in the ghastly shafts. They missed us and are trying to get the Barclay. Come on, Jack's voice was vibrant with the joy of the test. He was kneeling on the bridge, a megaphone in his hand. He turned it toward the women, crouched down beside that gun, and stayed down pleased until this is over. As he spoke, the leading battleship, the dreadnought Arizona, was getting her searchlight beams down, and all unseen, the dust-dang, and she were approaching each other at a total speed of 37 knots. Nearer they came, and the destroyer was almost to the great dark blur, with the shining arms radiating from her like living tales from a dead comet, wind with terrible suddenness and intensity almost burning. The Arizona flashed a 60-inch searchlight directly down on the destroyer's bridge. Sarah started to scream and Ann bowed her head to the deck to shut out the fearful blaze. Armagedge standing up right now and rubbing it open his eyes, saw that the time had come to turn and quickly. The dust-dang was approaching the battleship, pointing toward her port bow. The idea of the maneuver was to turn in a semi-circle, passing the Arizona at a distance of about 200 yards. He shouted the order, hard, upward. There was an instant silence, and the face of the quartermaster was seen to turn pale in the glare of the relentless searchlight. Wheel, rope, carried away, sir. Armagedge fairly threw himself across the bridge, but Johnson was there first. Quiet, unemotional.  The helm is jammed. Hard as starbird, he cried. In an instant, the situation crystallized itself into a flashing picture upon Ann's mind. She had held the wheel on her father's yacht, but it was not that which made her see. It was divination which fear or danger sometimes brings to highly sensitized minds, just as it brought the same picture to Sarah's mind. With helm thus jammed, it meant that the destane would have to turn in the same direction in which the Arizona was plowing along at a 12 knot speed. In making this turn, she could not possibly clear the must strike the battleship. On the other hand, she was too near to be stopped in time to avoid going across the bowels of that great plunging massive drab steel and being cut into.   The bridge quivered as though it were being torn from its place throughout. The hull sounded a great metallic clanking. There came a new motion. The destroyer was spinning like a tot, the bow almost at a standstill, the stern swinging in a great arc. It was like the working out of a problem in dynamics. Near they came, Ann could now make out the great shape of the battleship. The dull funnels belching black clouds of smoke, which merging with the night were immediately absorbed. The shadowy basket-like mass from which the searchlight rays went forth, the long vaguely protruding 12 inch guns, a whistle tremulous and piercing shriveled along the battleship's deck. Doll white figures were clamoring into the port lifeboats still closer now, Ann could hear the heavy swish of waters under the Arizona's bowels. Her nerves were tight, strung, prepared for the crash of steel against steel and the shock of the submersion. There was no sound from the Arizona now. Her bridge had echoed with shouts of warning. The time for that had passed. Armatich had not uttered a sound. Straight, he stood by the telegraph, tense and rigid, his hand clutching the lever. Around came the stern with fearful momentum, so close but clear of the giant hull that the gunners made at the stern torpedo tube took his tube tobacco and, as he afterwards put it, torpedoed the battleship with his eyes shut. Now the stern was pointed directly toward the Arizona, hardly five yards away. Armatich, bending over the telegraph, jerked sharply upon the lever, throwing the port engine full speed ahead again. He stood up and glanced quickly as stern. Like a live thing, the dusting jumped clear. Sarah leaned heavily on Ann's shoulder with little, tearless sobs. But Ann, crouching in the position she had maintained since the searchlight, had blinded the bridge, still watched Jack with eyes that seemed to transfix him. A figure leaped to the end of the battleship's bridge. The admiral's compliments thus stung. The engines were stopped now, and Armatich and Johnson and a group of men were working at the helm. Sarah raised her head. Ann, she said solemnly, I never wanted to kiss a man until this minute. Mistifulously, she made a move as though to arise. The girl's hand clenched upon her arm.  Can't you see how busy they are? Besides Sarah, no man likes to be kissed by two girls at the same time. As Jack, once more, our chauffeur, drove under the poor core chair at the crags shortly before one o'clock, Ann sat for a moment in her seat after her friend had alighted. Sarah looked back with a little smile and then walked toward the door, which a footman had opened. Mr. Armatich said, Ann, in a low voice, I want to thank you for many things tonight. For one thing above all, I cannot tell you what it is, so I hardly know myself. She paused and Jack, who was drawing with the switch lever, looked at her curiously. It's a new viewpoint, I fancy. Somehow I have a feeling that there is more to this country, my country than Fifth Avenue, Central Park, Tuxedo, Long Island, and Newport. Something bigger and finer than railroads. I'm glad to feel that, and I thank you. End of Chapter 17 Chapter 18 of Prince or Chauphur A Story of Newport by Lawrence Perry This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Ann Wellington has her first test. Sarah was waiting for Ann in the hall. She had taken off her hat and stood idly, swinging it. A single globe was lighted in the chandelier overhead, and the extremities of the Great Apartment were lost in gloom. Well, dear, Sarah yawned broadly. I fancy we shall sleep tonight. Ann had thrown her arm over Sarah's shoulders and they were walking toward the stairs, when Colesawf appeared from the shadow confronting them. Oh, Prince Colesawf, how you frightened me, said Ann in a low voice, drawing back. A thousand pardons, it would have grieved me had I thought of doing that. Sarah observed him with irritation. There was, however, so much of the exotic about the man as to render him attracted even to her. Tall, well, if slimly built. In manner graceful, silken was the designation that occurred to her. There could be no question as to the potency of his personality, a potency by the way from whose spell she had learned in various ways throughout the evening, Ann was not entirely aloof. It was perfectly clear to Sarah that with armatage strong and clever in a wholesome, masculine way, Ann was the light-hearted, mischievous, pure-minded girl. He is ideal of American young womanhood, but now she caught the other note of her character, an untrue note, but nonetheless positive and the other look in her eyes. Her voice was deeper, more womanly, more surcharge with underlying things as she spoke to the Russian and Sarah could see she was breathing more rapidly. I've been waiting to see you, Miss Wellington. He was saying, I've waited so long, there was a note of pathos in his voice. Is it important? Now, as Ann and her friend tugged at her sleeve, I'm very tired and sleepy. For a few moments that is all persisted the prince gently. Is it too much? Sarah, inwardly raging, detected the subtle appeal which this man so versed apparently in the emotions of womanhood was making to the inherent maternal, protected, sympathetic instincts of the girl who, now they were aroused, was smiling patiently. Very well, Prince Colesauth, don't bother to wait, Sarah. Good night. Such a day of weariness, Miss Wellington said the prince as he followed Ann to a bench running along the foot of the staircase. One of my men, calf head, was arrested in Boston. Arrested, really? What had he been doing? Nothing I assure you safe trying to leave this bestial country. He had been of service to me in Newport and elsewhere. I was worried, I am worried. He was allowed to go, but they took valuable papers concerning Austria from him. How can I get them? Am I undone? Colesauth raised his eyes. How can I say? Steinberg at Boston is in Maine, and so Colesauth tossed his hand in the air. I have spent, he had last continued, more than twenty thousand rubles on the matter.  Yiske, who has not the brains or courage of a mouse. I am discouraged. He caught her hand, pressed it to his forehead and released it. But I press you with my diplomatic cares, he murmured. It has been the first time I ever burdened a woman with them. You, you are different, because you are of the few gifted to bear to solve them, and made no reply. You hold safely that which I placed in your keeping. Yiske asked after a pause. His hand felt his weight of hers lying inert on the cushion, his fingers closing softly upon it. She did not withdraw it, but lowered her head. Was it in connection with that your man was arrested in Boston? Colesauth laughed. They thought to connect him with it, but he pressed Anne's fingers. The connecting link happened to be in your jewelry safe. Anne, thrilled at the part she was playing in the mysterious diplomatic episode, laughed softly. Somehow it all appeared bigger even than dodging under battleships bows. Certainly more subtle. Colesauth gazed at her admiringly. My dear Miss Valentini said, do you realize more and more that of which I spoke today, your fitness, for the international sphere, your beauty, your coolness, the temper of your spirit, your ability to sway strong men as you have swayed me? Do you appreciate all? Are you proud that you have swayed me? Prince Colesauth, Anne's voice rang with doubt and anguish and yet pride.  His head was bending over her. His face was very close. Some vivid instinct told her that he must not kiss her. She tried to struggle, but she could not the next instant she was living. That epic, which in a sense may only know, ere it perishes.  She lay now half in his arms, looking at him with wide, startled eyes. Her lips parched.   What I have done, what I have meant, I shall make clear to your parents tomorrow. To you I can say nothing now. You, of course, know the European custom. Please let me go. There was a tired sob in Anne's voice, but I have not yet told you that which I wish to say. Anne tore from his arm and started up. You haven't? Oh, very well. I am listening. You were out with the torpedo boats tonight. You were upon the boat with Lieutenant Armitage. I, Anne paused. Armitage without attempting to obtain promises of secrecy as to the mission of the flotilla, had pointed out that all information of the sort was absolutely confidential, and that above all the ability of a torpedo boat destroyer to get within two hundred yards of a battleship was not news that the government would care to have disseminated, even though it were the exception, rather than the rule. This thought shot through Anne's mind. You quite surprised me, she said, finally. Oh, I really do not. Smile cold so. As I have informed you, we diplomats are omnipresent, therefore I do not surprise you when I say that you and your friend were on the disdain that the Jefferson had an accident and sent to Skaldemann to the hospital. All that poof. Koltsov snapped his fingers. That is immaterial. Who cares about such maneuvers as the navy of the United States? Indulge in. But, and Koltsov bent toward her with unwinking eyes, this is important. The disdain became separated from the rest of the fleet, and there are reports that she discharged a new sort of torpedo at the battleship. That is interesting, important to me. I feared I could not ascertain until I learned that my skilled co-agitor, my fellow diplomat, he nodded at her, was present on the disdain. Why do you ask me? Why don't you apply to Mr. Armitage? He would tell me, of course, laugh Koltsov sarcastically, in any event I have yet to know him. He was at Washington when I arrived in Newport, and since his return has been at the torpedo station but one night, my men have not been able to find him. Anne had forgotten her weariness now. There seems to be something at least in the American navy that you find worthy of close interest, she said. An expression of indifference settled upon the prince's face. If you know of the navy, you know the nations are always interested in the new devices and plans of other nations. I once paid fifteen thousand rubles for the plans of an English fort. And so diplomacy is stealing or buying information, then. Diplomacy is anything, Anne. You interest me, Prince Koltsov. But the disdain, I imagine, she was not successful with her torpedo wing. Inwardly he was cursing Yeatsky, as he had been all the evening. Yeatsky had never missed up-trip of the disdain, and beginning to see had worked into her cool malicious move. You must not be so imaginative, she gasped. And now, if you'll excuse me, it's two o'clock. But Anne, Ms. Wellington, the prince was out of sight. You did not really intend to deny me. He shook his head as though dazed. It cannot be possible that our understanding is so incomplete. I dared to hope to believe that our interests were so swiftly merging. And what is it that I asked merely a slight question about the disdain? Anne, is it upon so little a thing that you fail me? Would that you might try me with a bigger, greater test? You should see. Do you mean that really? As God is my judge, cried the prince fervently, then said Anne seriously, say goodnight to me, pardon me, but I'm tired. But the disdain cried Koltsov insistently.  What interrupted Anne, as the thought was born of his words, I understood that this was merely a matter of routine naval intelligence. Koltsov mopped his forehead. That is true, he hastened to say. The matters of routine are the greater part of the lives of such as we. Our success depends upon it alone. Pardon me, but I must insist that you tell me what I've asked. He had almost backed her against the rain-scotting. And I won't tell you, Prince Koltsov. Why not pray? I will tell you why, her voice quivered with emotion. This morning you convinced me, pretty thoroughly, that I had no right to call myself an American. I still feel that way, don't you know? But tonight I've seen brave and devoted men risking their lives and perfecting themselves in their calling, not only through professional interest, but through love of their country and their flag, and daredevil enthusiasm in serving under a flag that means so much to them. The father of the junior officer on the disdain is a farmer, and the captain of the Berkeley is the son of an insurance clerk. But they're all of one cut and out of one mold, American fighting men who would shoot or knock down anyone who dared utter in their presence such words as I have listened to from you. More shame to me, without a single emotion, save amusement. She ran on breathlessly, whatever happened on the disdain tonight, important or unimportant, is the concern of the Navy of my country alone. Hereafter, in anything you say or do, Prince Colesaw, remember, I am learning to be an American. She stopped and smiled at her own ardor, so please don't say anything to discourage me. Colesaw, who had been listening in silence without making a movement, suddenly bowed his head, I'm sorry, Ms. Wellington, his voice was broken, and sincerely so, I misunderstood. He sank to one knee and seized the bottom of her skirt. Don't, Prince Colesaw, please. Anne was swiftly relenting. She drew her skirt away, and the prince, arising, took her hand. Ah, please, she said, not until I hear you are not angry. I am not angry. He had drawn her close to him, and they were looking into each other's eyes. What is it? She asked weakly. Her very personality seemed ebbing from her. You love me? His voice was almost a whisper. She smiled wanly. Is this love? Is it? What is love? Love is giving, yielding. Love knows neither country nor patriotism nor religion. His glittering eyes were still holding hers, and so his voice was low but masterful. I ask you, not that I care vitally for the answer of itself. You must know, must understand my motives. I ask you, did the disdain discharge her torpedo tonight? Long they looked at each other, and then slowly the girl shook her head. You mean no? She did not. Colesaw's voice was eager. His arms tightened about her. I do not mean anything. Then suddenly she twisted out of his arms and stood with white face and parted lips, pointing to the stairway. Now she cried, Go! Go! I tell you. She stamped her foot as Colesaw hesitated. Go!  CHAPTER XIX OF PRINCE OR SHOEFER A STORY OF NEWPORT by Laurence Perry. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. An encounter in the dark. While Anne was detained below by Colesaw, Sarah had gone to her room. She lay awake for a long time, and when her maid informed her that Emilia was still waiting for her mistress, she gave up the idea of seeing her and went to sleep. Armitage in the meantime had placed the car. In the garage entered the house by the servant's door and was now sitting in his stocking feet, smoking a pipe, waiting for quiet to fall upon the house. His nerves were still taught with the events of the evening, his mind very much awake and alert. He thrilled with the thought that in all probability he would have a commendatory letter from the Admiral to send to his father, and that a duplicate would be published to the fleet. As for his position in the house, that was hourly growing more precarious, so far as he could gather almost every one but the Prince and the Wellington boys knew his identity, and it certainly could not be long before this ignorant minority would be wiped out. There must be action and quick action with the Prince away for the night the opportunity could never be better. He was now on taking advantage of it. It was nearly three o'clock when he left his room, walked along the heavily carpeted hall, and ascended the stairs in the front of the house to the second floor. The dim light was flowing from the hall below, but no lamps were lighted above. He turned, crouching, and made his way along toward Coltsoff's rooms. Footsteps sounded on the stairs, and as he flattened himself against the wall, the skirts of a woman fluttered past him. A second later the door of Miss Wellington's rooms opened, and in the light rushing forth he saw Anne enter. She was weeping. He heard the exclamation of the maid, and Anne sang something in reply. Then the door closed. For five minutes, Armitage remained immovable, then taking from his pocket a skeleton key, and a long thin roll of wire he crept to Coltsoff's door, which he had marked in the afternoon. As he placed his hand on the knob, it turned and his grasp unopened. There was a single electric ball burning in a crimson glow, and although Armitage had time to jump back, the light flowing from the open door fell full upon him. He stood breathing quickly, watching the newcomer, his forearm poised along his waist, the fist doubled. Without a word the man slowly closed the door. As Armitage waited, an electric dark light flashed in his face with blinding suddenness, then it went out. Not now came a whispered voice. Prince Coltsoff has returned. He has but gone into his room. Jack did not reply. His hand shot into his pocket, and came out with a dark light similar to that which had been used against him. As he aimed the instrument and pressed the spring, a brown-seemed face with a head of heavy dark hair appeared in the center of the illumination. Let us have done with lights. They are not necessary, said the man. The voice was cultivated. The man are gentle, and besides they are not saved. What do you want? Armitage's voice rose with an impatient inflection. I might ask that of you, was the soft reply. But come, a fair exchange, you know, since our quarry seems to be the same. Although passing his Prince Coltsoff's secretary, in reality I am Tonecki of the Austrian State Department. You are of the secret service of this country. Jack was cautious. I'm a burglar, if you must know he said, and if you make any outcry, I'll kill you. Oh, no you are not. Smile the man shaking his head. Without a word, Armitage leaned forward and seized the man by the arm. Come to my room with me, he said. There was great dignity in the man's voice as he placed his hand admonishingly upon Jack's arm. Don't do that. I'm quite ready to go with you. But Jack's fingers closed more tightly. I'm glad you feel that way. He said grimly because I want to talk to you. However, I think I'll make sure. Come on. At the stairs he gently pushed the man ahead of him and followed him to his door. He switched on the light and then, mindful of the watchman on the grounds below, threw a heavy towel over the globe. Now, Herr Tonecki, or Coltsoff's secretary, or anything you pleased to call yourself, he said indicating a chair. He himself stood at the bureau, filling his pipe. Tell me what I can do for you. The man bowed and, for a moment, they gazed at each other. Armitage could not dismiss an impression of suspicion concerning him, but aside from something familiar in face and figure, in some of the tones of his voice, he was unable to place him. The putative Austrian seemed to read Jack's thoughts. Let me first prove, he said at length, that I am friendly to you, and perhaps to your interests. I recognized you this morning as an American naval officer. I had met two years ago in Vienna. It is my business not to forget faces.  That is true, said Armitage, ruefully, as a detective. I appeared to be about as much of a success as a farmer at the helm of a battleship. I will observe the other. It is a business. He looked at Armitage closely. I admire the United States. Can I be of service? Perhaps, said Armitage, but you spoke of similar interests. What can I do for you? Nothing I fear, said the Austrian. You must know that recently, this man, Kostov, purchased in some way the mobilization plans of our army on our northeastern, that is, the Russian frontier. Possession of these by Russia will seriously affect the attitude of our Chief Baron Aaron Fahl toward the State Department at St. Petersburg. So close was the espionage in which I have played no small part that he was unable to get them out of his hands before his vessel sailed for New York from the Yuhm. I fear now, however, that such is not the case. You mean he has mailed or expressed them, asked Jack? The man shook his head. Such things are never transmitted in that way. Jack's heart bounded with relief. Well, wouldn't that be a reason for attempting it? I should be happy to know that the plans were on their way to the post office in St. Petersburg, shrugging his shoulders. They would soon be on their return journey and not by mail. Oh, cried Armitage, suddenly remembering his conversation with Thornton. I think I can put you in the way of recovering your stolen plans. Thereupon he told of the capture of Yiski and of the papers taken from him already in the keeping of the secret servicemen in Boston. As he spoke, Tonecki leaned forward, his eyes blazing, uttering subdued German exclamations. When Armitage concluded, he sprang forward and seized Jack by the hand and then after the manner of his country kissed him on the cheek. A thousand thanks, he cried. My servitude ends now for when Colesaw awakens, I shall be en route for Boston. You said that you would send on an order for their delivery. Yes, I'll write that now and then I'll tell you what you can do for me. Of course, you understand that the secret service chaps will require the Austrian consul to vouch for you. Oh, I understand that, of course, said the man. All right, Armitage took his fountain pen from his coat, lying on the bed and leaned across the bureau about to right when he abruptly laid the pen down and half closed his eyes. Some new thoughts seemed filling his mind and moving him deeply. Just a second, he said at length, he walked across the room, jerked the towel from the lamp, gazed closely at the man for an instant, and then with an exclamation continued to the door which he locked, placing the key in his pocket, returning east of directly in front of the man who had arisen. Well, he said, of all fools, command me, how do you feel yeasty with your beard off and wig on? Your German dialect and your painted scar? The man looked at Armitage with face utterly expressionless. You are mistaken, he said. Am I? Sneer, Jack, I've been mistaken so far as you are concerned, several times in the past. He laughed grimly, but not this time, oh boy, come pass out that control. I haven't it.  Yiske deliberately divested himself of his coat and threw it at Jack's feet. Then he slapped all his pockets. You see, he said, I have not got it. Who has? Kolsoth, I suppose. He did not speak of it to me. What did he speak of? What are you here for? You were released upon condition that you leave this country. I suppose you know I can put you in the way of spending several years in an American jail. I had intended going, but I received his orders and had to come to him, so I escaped from the steamship and returned to Newport. Did you want to come? No, I am sick of the service. It is all work and danger and no credit. He receives it all. Then why did you obey his orders? Yiske raised his shoulders and smiled significantly. Siberia, he said. Your arms, such as Kolsoth, are very long in cases of those who fail them. What did Kolsoth want you here for? To confer with me, he thought we would be safe from spies here. When I saw you, I hoped to get an order for the return of the Austrian plans. Huh, you nearly succeeded. Did you tell Kolsoth I suspected him? No, that would have made my work appear even more bungling. Listen at it, the man earnestly. I told him I thought my capture had been due to the Austrians, whose system of espionage is really wonderful. That is God's truth, raising his hand solemnly. I should have believed it myself had I not known you knew. If that is true, you have done me rather a good turn, said Armitage, watching his face closely. Yiske drew from his breast a silver icon. It is true, he knelt. I swear it by this. A man's oath is no better than his deeds, replied Armitage musingly. Look here, Yiske, he added presently. I tell you what I'm going to do. I'm going to turn you over to Chief Roberts of the Newport police, and he will hold you for two or three days under an assumed name on the charge of burglary. No one but the watchman and the police and myself will know of your arrest. When I recover the control, you will be released, free to stay in this country, or go where you please. The only condition is that you attempt in no way to communicate with Kolosov, the man about his head thoughtfully. Besides resumed Armitage, I don't know how the secret service people feel about the Austrian plans. I imagine Kolosov has been making representations to the State Department, and since this government has no business with them, they may hand them over. If I can help you there, I shall do so. Now, he concluded, there is the proposition, take it or leave it. I'll take it, replied Yiske. As for the Austrian plans, you need not bother about them. You have promised me freedom after two or three days if I keep silent. That is all I ask. Ever since I've been in this country, I've been on the point of making up my mind to become a citizen. The Russian government cannot touch me here, can it? Not unless you have committed a crime. I have committed many crimes, none however against the Russian government. I'm weary of Kolosov, weary of this service, weary of this life. There is much money for me here in the practice of my profession. You've already worked in this country, haven't you? Your letter of recommendation from the Eastern Electric was forged, said Yiske quietly. No, I have never been employed here. I came from Fium with Prince Kolosov. I had some thought at the time of deserting, but I was afraid.  I want to remain here. I shall remain. I have a brother in Chicago. Good, said Armitage. Come on, now quickly. Softly they went down the stairs and after switching off the burglar alarm, Jack escorted the man out of the servant's door where he whistled softly. The watchman came up on the run. Here's a burglar I caught, said Jack cheerfully. He was lurking in the second floor hallway. The watchman, a former New York policeman, was not excited. All right, he said, we'll take him to the gatehouse and telephone for the patrol. This was done and within half an hour, the side lights of the heavy vehicle plunged out of the darkness to the gate. Now don't worry, whispered Armitage, as the man was bundled into the wagon. I'll have the chief on the phone within five minutes. Remember your part. Yiske nodded and the wagon rumbled away. It was a very angry chief that Jack, sitting in the butler's hallway, got on the phone, but within a few minutes he was laughing and promising to obey Armitage's wishes in every respect. The clock was striking for it when Armitage arose from the telephone. He stood stretching himself and yawning for a moment and then stole to the stairs. I've spent eventful days before this, he smiled, but this one breaks all records. As he slipped past the door of Anne's suite, he stopped just an instant. Good night, Anne, he said. Chapter 20 of Prince or chauffeur, a story of Newport by Lawrence Perry. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain, with reference to the dot. Armitage gained next morning a very perfect idea of the regard which the Wellington household held for the head of it. Mr. Wellington had waited in New York for the Mayfair, and not only Anne, but Mrs. Wellington and the boys took their post on the southeast in Veranda, soon after nine o'clock, while Ronald glued his eyes to the big telescope, after he had alternately picked up a white lacquer-wanna tug and a mainbound steamship as the Mayfair, and lost patience. Mother, she said, why not send for McCall? He used to be a sailor, I believe, and will no doubt be able to pick up the yacht miles farther away than we can. Something resembling a smile crossed the mother's face. Very well, Anne, send for him. A footman was summoned, and within a few minutes, Armitage was the center of an interested group. He swept the Narragansett shore for a few minutes, and then turned to Mrs. Wellington. There's a large white yacht with a yellow funnel, which has a silver band on top. This side, a point, Judith, he said, I can see the red glint of her house flag. Why, that's the Mayfair, cried Anne. Come on, Mother, Sarah. She won't be up for three quarters of an hour, Anne, said her mother. I don't care. Come, Sarah, we'll raise the flags on the landing ourselves. As Sarah and Anne and the two boys drew down the path to the cleft in the cliffs, Mrs. Wellington nodded at Jack. Quinn reports that you captured a burglar last night, McCall. Jack smiled. Yes, Mrs. Wellington. I caught him in the hall on the second floor. I had him before he could lift a hand and turned him over to the watchman. I'm indebted to you. What were you doing on the second floor at that hour? I couldn't sleep and was smoking in my room when I heard someone pass my door. I went out and saw him flashing a dark lantern below. My shoes were off and I had him before he heard me. That was really clever of you. Chief Roberts has informed me that he is a professional, wanted on several other charges. When he sends word, I want you to press the charge for me. Of course, this will not appear in the newspaper, so please say nothing to anyone about it. As Armitage nodded, she looked at him closely. How long do you intend to stay with us, McCall? Armitage started. Why, I, I, he paused. Oh, no matter. I thought perhaps you might be ambitious to join the police force. I think I could help you. Jack inwardly raging, flushed and glanced at her uncertainly. Thank you, he said. I'll consider. I'll let you know. Hanging her, he said to himself as he walked toward the garage, deliver me from an old woman who thinks she has a sense of humor. Ronald Wellington was a man past 50, a man whose stature was as large as his mind. He had a shock of gray hair, brilliant hazel eyes like ants, but over shattered by shaggy brows, high cheekbones and straight lips hidden by a heavy, great mustache. It was said of him that his clothing was only pressed when new, and that he purchased a new hat only under the combined pressure of his wife and daughter. He had an immense voice which could be gruff or pleasing as he willed, in all a big, strong, wholesome personality, unconventional, but in no sense unrefined. He was in striking contrast to his dapper crony, Robert Marie, who accompanied him from the yacht, a man whose distinction lay in his family, his courtly manners of the old school, and his connoisseurship of wines. Mrs. Wellington, waited on the veranda, but Anne, her brothers and Sarah, were at the landing as the gangway of the yacht was lowered. Ronald Wellington, seized Anne by the elbows, an old trick of his, as she stiffened them, he lifted her to his facing kistor. Ronald, he slapped on the back, as for the more sturdy little royal, he lifted him high in the air and placed him on his shoulder, smiling and nodding pleasantly to Sarah. Sarah waited for Robert Marie, and thus the party walked to the house. Mrs. Wellington advanced to the rail, smiling, and her husband, sitting royal on the ground, reached up, seized her hands, and drew her face down to his. Well, girlies, say glad to see me. She withdrew her lips, and as Sarah looked at her with perhaps a little pathos in her eyes, she saw spreading over her face that expression, the beauty and charm and inspiration of which are ever the same in youth and in age, in the countenances of those in whom love still abides, unchanging. They sat on the porch for a few minutes, and then, having breakfasted on the mayfair, Mr. Wellington went to his study off the library, where Mrs. Wellington joined him. Well, Ronald, she said, Prince Kohlsof is here. Yes, he said, so you and the newspapers have told me, what is he, another Ivan? Not in any way. He and Anne seemed to be getting on finally. Mr. Wellington looked at her.  It was too far off, and the railroad mess was so confoundedly near. Now then, let's have it. Now, what do you mean? asked Mrs. Wellington a bit uneasily. What have you been trying to do, Belle? Why, I haven't been trying to do anything. The situation has shaped itself without any effort on my part. You mean Anne loves the Russian? Bosh, how long has he been here? This is the third day. The room rang with his laughter. I did not say that she loved him. I said they seemed to be getting on. Mr. Wellington clasped his big hands over his knees and gazed at the floor. Belle, he said, after a few minutes, the idea of Anne living away off in a foreign country doesn't swallow easily. Life is too short, and Belle, I don't think you have ever loved Anne quite as I have. Mrs. Wellington thought for a moment of the adoration which this big man had always held for their daughter. An emotion in no way conflicting with his conjugal devotion, and yet equally tremendous and smiled without a trace of jealousy. Yes, I think that is true, she said it. Yet, of course, you cannot question my love for her. I certainly would be the last to thwart her ambitions. Nor I returned to Wellington with a sigh, and yet, Belle, so far as you are concerned, you don't need such a match. Your position certainly needs no assurance, either here or abroad. We are not in the business of buying foreign titles, you know. We don't have to. Besides, we thrashed all that out when Anne was a child. The girl must marry, of course, for years that has hung over me like a bad dream, but it's natural and right and for the best. But Belle, since she has grown up and her marriage has become a question of narrowing time, especially since that French nobleman de Joigneville was buzzing around last year. I've had an ambition for grandchildren that can say grandpa in a language I understand. That is the way I feel about it. His wife laughed at this characteristic speech and reaching out pat at his hand. He, in turn, seized and held her hand, quite covering it. Naturally, Ronald, I feel just as you do about having to purchase foreign titles, but it is pleased me to have the Prince here in view of the fact that several others wanted him. It's akin to the satisfaction you feel, I imagine, when you suddenly appear before the public as owner of the controlling interest in a competitor's railroad. I understand. He replied and gazed at his wife admiringly.  He laughed his hearty laugh and then glanced at her seriously. Well, what about Anne? He asked. Mrs. Wellington was about to reply when her secretary entered. Prince Colt Soft is in the library waiting to pay his respects, said the young woman. He seemed a little impatient, and I told him I would tell you. Oh, said Mr. Wellington, as an expression of annoyance crossed his wife's face, let him come right in. As he towered over the Prince, seizing his hand with a grip that made the latter wince, Mrs. Wellington could not help noticing a veiled expression of contempt in the nobleman's face. She was aware that to him, her husband represented, of course, the highest plane of existence that Americans attained to, and she could see that the things in him, the things he stood for, and had done which would impress the average American, or perhaps the Englishman carried no appeal to this Russian. To him, she read Ronald Wellington in his great bagging ear-fitting clothes, was merely an embodiment of the American pig, whose only title to consideration was the daughter he had to give, and his only warrant of respect as well. Said down, cold soft, said her husband heartily, but studying him keenly, from under his shaggy brows, thank you, replied the Prince, seating himself luxuriously, and a great leather chair. As you must know, Mr. Wellington, he said, at the same time inclining his head toward Mrs. Wellington, time presses from in my sphere of life, the diplomatic, that is why I felt I must speak to you at once. Certainly, said Mr. Wellington, glancing at his wife far away. Your daughter began the Prince, I'm deeply interested in her. I, he stopped and smiled. Mr. Wellington nodded, go on, he said gruffly, now. I, I believe I love her. You believe? In fact, I do love her. It is about that I wish to speak to you. As to the dower, naturally the sum you would propose. Wait just a second, not so fast, said Mr. Wellington. Does my daughter love, wish to marry you? I have reason to believe she loves me. Colesaw shrugged his shoulders, excellent reasons. As to marriage, of course, I have no doubt as to her wishes, but first I must, of course, reach an understanding with you. How do you mean? asked Mr. Wellington, bending forward and impaling the Prince with his eyes. Did Anne tell you how much she would be willing to have me pay for you? Certainly not, snapped Colesaw. Well then listen, Prince Colesaw. You are here now as our guest and we hope to make your sojourn quite pleasant. But he took a cigar from a box, lighted it and thrust the box across the table to Colesaw. But we might as well have a clear understanding. It would be better in every way. I have felt that Americans have been altogether too willing to subscribe to European customs in marrying off their daughters. I am going to establish a new precedent if I can. Am I clear? What do you mean Colesaw's voice quivered with rising indignation? Mrs. Wellington could not have analyzed her emotions had she tried. All she could do was to sit and watch the tottering of the structure she had reared under the blows of one who had never before interfered in her plans, but whose word was her law. I mean that I am unwilling to pay a single red penny for you or anyone else to marry my daughter. If she is worth anything, she is worth everything. I will inform you, however, that she has some money in her own right, not enough to rehabilitate a rundown European estate, but enough to keep the wolf from the door. And of course, when I get through with it, she will share in my estate, which is not inconsiderable. But Prince Colesaw is a man of wealth, said Mrs. Wellington quietly. He is not of the broken-down sort. Oh, I know all about that, said her husband, all the more reason why this precedent I am trying to establish should find favor in his eyes. The Prince rose. I understand you to say that you refuse the Dower rights, which any European must, of course, expect. You do absolutely. If Anne loves you and wants to marry you, that is her right. She is of age, but no Dower, not a cent. And you love your daughter? Colesaw's voice was withering. Mr. Wellington arose quickly. That, he said, we won't discuss. Very well, Colesaw's voice arose almost to a shriek. But listen, I do love Anne Wellington, and I think she loves me. And with Dower or without it, I'll marry her. And Anne, he clutched at his throat. You've heard me. I have spoken. I say no more. And he slammed out of the room. End of Chapter 20. Chapter 21 of Prince or Schofer, a story of Newport by Lawrence Perry. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Playing sailor talk. Miss Hutch had some inkling of the Prince's intention when she ushered him into the Wellington study. And as she met Sarah in the hall on the way out of the library, she held a gloomy countenance. Mrs. Van Valkenburg, she said in response to Sarah's bright smile of greeting, please don't think me impertinent. But will you, if possible, see that the Prince is not alone with Miss Wellington today? Anne, cannot you prod that terribly sluggish McCall? Sarah looked at the young woman, wonderingly, for a minute, and then held out her hand, laughing.  Sarah found Jack near the garage, but she did not have much success with him. He was grumpy and replying to Sarah's assertion that the situation was rapidly becoming right. With disagreeable possibilities, he replied that he did not care a very little bit and that Anne could marry all the princes in Christendom for all he cared.  The only satisfaction she derived from the incident was that Anne, who came upon them as they were parting, was grumpy too. Synchronous moods in the two persons whose interests she held so closely to heart was a symptom she told herself that gave warrant for hope. Remini had turned up with the new car and in it, Anne, Sarah, Coltsoff, and Robert Marie went to the casino. Mrs. Wellington drove to market in her carriage. Mr. Wellington remained in his study, and among other things, had Buffalo on the telephone for half an hour. Armatich spent the morning with the boys and showed them several shifty boxing and wrestling tricks, which won Ronald to him quite as effectually as the Jujitsu grip had won his younger brother the preceding day. At luncheon, Anne's pivish mood had not diminished, which to Sarah would have been a source of joy, had she not feared that it was due to the fact that Coltsoff had not been good company all the morning. He was in truth quite at his wit's end to account for the behavior of Yiski, who had been instructed to get into communication with him by 10 o'clock and had failed to do so. Thus Coltsoff, even when with Anne, had been preoccupied and in need of a great deal of entertaining. Armatich took him to the city after lunch, and as usual was instructed to return to the crags. This gave Jack opportunity to see Chief Roberts and to learn that Yiski was resting easily and cheerfully, apparently eager to live up to the very letter of his contract. Anne was in a room when he returned and Sarah was with her. Coltsoff came back in a taxi cab in a frightful state of mind, bordering on mental disintegration about four o'clock, just in time to keep an appointment, with his host and Marie to drive to the reading room. As he crossed the veranda, a French bullpup ran playfully between his feet and nearly tripped him. He kicked at the animal, which fled, squealing down the steps.  The prince turned with a half snarl and flung himself into the house. The great big Turk, said Ronald, turning to Armatich, what does he want here anyway? It was nearly five o'clock when the telephone of the garage rang and Armatich was ordered to bring Anne's car to the house. Romano was quiet, her voice very low, as she gave him his orders. To tell him by the back road, she said she stopped at one or two stores along Tim Street and finally settling herself back on her seat, said, now you can drive home. Armatich looked at her for a second, do you mind if I take a round about way? I should like to talk to you. Anne returned his gaze without speaking, then she nodded slowly. Yes, if you like, she said, thank you.  Here he stopped, overhead, ash and beech and maple trees formed a continuous arch. Grey stone walls hedged either side. Beyond each line of wall, pleasant orchards stretched away. The sidewalks were velvet grass, birds of brilliant plumage flashed among the foliage and their twittering cries were the only sounds. Patches of gold sunlight lay under the orchard trees, level rays flowed heavily through the branches and rested on the moss-grown stones. The pastoral beauty, the great serenity, the utter peace, seemed to preclude words, and the spell was immediately upon the two.   His eyes were the first to fall, but in them she knew what she had read. Now the sunlight had fallen so low that it lay on her like a garment of light. She seemed some daughter of hasperess glorified. The waning afternoon had grown cooler and several blue-white clouds went careening overhead. She looked at them. How beautiful, she said, then she looked at him again, with her steady eyes. You wish to talk, you said. Jack nodded. Yes, I wish to, but I don't know exactly how to say it. She was smiling now. How may I help you? He shook his head doggedly. I'm a sailor, Miss Wellington. You mean I'm to hear plain sailor talk, she quoted. Good, I'm ready. He began with the expression of a man taking a plunge. Miss Wellington, I could say a great deal so far, as I am concerned, that I have no right to say now. But are you going to marry Prince Coleslaw? She started forward and then sank back. You must not ask that, she said. I know, I understand, he said rapidly. But you mustn't marry him, you know. Must send, Miss Wellington. I know, it is none of my business.  I know, I have seen.   Thornton of the Jefferson has his record. Right to Walker, attesté at St. Petersburg, or cook at Paris, or miller at London, they will tell you. Why, even in Newport, Jack paused in his headlong outburst and then continued more deliberately. It is not for me to indict the man. I could not help speaking because you are you. I cannot do any more than warn you.  If you are not what I take you for, forget what I have said. Send me away when we return. She had been listening to him, as in the days. Now she shook her head. I shall not do that, she said. Did you take employment with us to say what you have said to me? No. She hesitated a moment. I suppose all men of Coleslaw's sort are the same. She said musingly, I'm not quite so innocent as that. We want to accept our European noblemen as husbands with no question as to the wild oats, immediately behind them, or without considering too closely, the wild oats that are to be strewn afterwards. Ah, don't start. That is the way we expatriates are educated. No, not that, but these are the lessons we absorb. And so she was looking at armadage with a hard face. So the things that impressed you so terribly, I appreciate and thank you for your motives in speaking of them. Do not appear so awful to me. Jack, his clean mind in a world, was looking at her aghast. You, you, and Wellington, you don't mean that. She flung her hands from her. Thank you, she said, don't die.  She cried wildly, the cross purposings of life, the constant groping, being unable to see clearly, the triumph of lower, over-higher things.  Ah, she turned to Jack pitifully. Promise me for life in this place of peace, the rest in purity and beauty and love of all this. Promise, and I shall stay here now with you from this minute and never leave it. Though, Pyramus or King Midas, as you please, beckon from beyond this mossy wall. Are you speaking metaphorically, Jack's voice quivered, for if you are, I, she interrupted, laughing mirthlessly. I do not know how I was speaking. Don't bother. I'm not worth it. I might have been had. I met you sooner. Jack Armitage, for I've learned of you some things. Don't, she raised her hand as Jack bent forward to speak. You mustn't bother, really. Last night I lived with you a big, clean, thrilling experience and saw strong men doing men's work in the raw, cold, salt air. And I saw in your light. And then she was looking straight ahead. Then I was led into a morass, where the air was heavy like the tropics and things all strange, unreal. And why, why now the doubt, which of the two I'd rather believed tonight? You were too late. I bade you come to us. I'm glad I'm proud that I did, for now I know the reason. But, she smiled wildly at him. It should have been sooner. Is it too late?  The muscle's bulging on either side of his jaw. Is it you? I must wait and see. I, I dreamed last night, and it was of the sea, men rushing aboard a black battleship, rising and falling on great inky waves. It was good, so good, to dream that, not the other. Wait, it is to be lived out. I am weak. But there is a tide in the affairs of men and women. Perhaps you, she stopped abruptly. Let us drive out of here, Miss T. Armitage, here in this pure, wonderful place. I feel almost like Shane Stone's Jesse. What do you mean, he asked sharply. She smiled. Not what you thought I meant, she said gently. Now drive away, please. As they returned to the house, Mr. Wellington and his friend were alighting from the touring car. Goldsoft was not with them. As soon as he saw his daughter, Mr. Wellington, whose face was flushed, called Anne to him. Say, Anne, he said, Is that Prince of yours, a lunatic? Or what is he? Why, no, Father, of course not. Why do you ask?  He was like a chicken with his head off all the afternoon, calling up on the telephone, sending telegrams and then between pauses, telling me he would have to leave right after the ball for Europe and wanting us all to sail with him. Then at the last minute, some whiskered tramp came to the porch where we were sitting. And the first thing I knew, he had excused himself for the evening and was going up the street with that hobo, both of them flapping their arms and exclaiming in each other's faces, like a couple of candidates for a padded cell. Duke Ivan was appealed beside this man, and that is saying a whole lot, let me tell you. Why, Father, exclaimed the girl, I could cry. We were having that dinner for him tonight. And, Anne O, she rushed into the house and found her mother in a room. Mother, she said, Prince Kohl's self has gone off again. He was with Father at the reading room and hurried away with a man whom Father described as a tramp, saying he must be excused for the evening. Very well, said Mrs. Wellington placidly, we will have to have the play, without Hamlet, nevertheless. But what shall I do? You might ask McCall. Mother, please, what can we do? Frankly, I don't know, Anne, said Mrs. Wellington. I confess that this situation and all its ramifications has gone quite beyond me. It is altogether annoying. But let me prophesy. Kohl's self will not miss your dinner. He impresses me as a young man, not altogether without brains, although they are of a sort. Mrs. Wellington was right. Kohl's self put in an appearance in time to meet Anne's guests. But the Russian bear at the height of his molting season, or whatever disagreeable period he undergoes, is not more impossible than was Prince Kohl's self that night. End of Chapter 21. Chapter 22 of Prince or Chaufer, a story of Newport by Lawrence Perry. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. The ball begins. Mrs. Wellington's genius for organization was never better exemplified than next day when preparations for the ball set for the night began. At the outset, it was perfectly apparent that she was not bent on breaking records, which feet, as a matter of fact, would merely have been overshadowing her best previous demonstrations of supremacy in things of this sort. There was to be no splurge with a high European nobleman to introduce. She had no intention of having the protagonist and the evening's function overshadowed by his background. She was a student of social nuances, say rather a master in this subtle art, and she proceeded with her plans with all the calm assurance of a field-martial with a dozen successful campaigns behind him. Early in the day, Dawson and Buckin and Mrs. Stetson were in conference with her in her office, and a bit later the servants, some 30 or 40 of them, were assembled in their dining room and assigned various duties. All of which were performed under the supervising eye of Mrs. Wellington, her daughter, or Sarah Van Wolkenberg. No decorative specialist or other alien appendage to social functions on a large scale was in attendance and save for the caterers men who arranged a hundred odd small tables on the verandas and the electricians who hung chandeliers at intervals above them. The arrangements were carried out by the household force. Under the direction of Anne Wellington, whose mind seemed fully occupied with the manifold details of the duties which her mother had assigned to her, armadage and a small group hung tapestries against the side of the house where the tables were and then assisted the gardener and his staff in placing gladiolas about the globes of the chandeliers. Small incandescent globes of diverse colors were hidden among the flowers in the gardens and an elaborate scheme of interior floral decoration was carried out. Before the afternoon was well along, all preparations had been completed and the women had gone to their rooms where later they were served by their maids with light suppers. Armadage went to town in the car to meet the prince whom he had taken from the crags at the unusually early hour of nine o'clock and incidentally to pick up his evening clothes which Thornton, in accordance with telephoned instructions, had left with the marine guard at the government fairy house. For Mrs. Wellington, whose sardonic sense of humor had not been lost in the rush of affairs had assigned him to detective duty for the evening's function. Bacall, she said, I want you to disguise yourself as a gentleman tonight and assist Chief Roberts's men in protecting the house from gentry who at times managed to gain access to the upper floors in the course of affairs of this sort. Evening dress will do, at least it is usually regarded as a good disguise, I believe. He had received disorders despite the sarcastic verbiage in which they were couched with glowing emotions not easily concealed they fitted perfectly with his preconceived determination to bring to a conclusion that night once and for all the situation which had brought him to the crags. He had in short resolve come what might to ransack cold soft rooms before dawn to dump the contents of all drawers in the middle of the floors to cut with his knife any bags that might be locked and in general to turn the suite inside out. For he had come to the conclusion that everyone saved possibly Prince Cold South and the horses and dogs knew whom he really was and that being the case further masquerading was nothing short of intolerable. Then to yesterday's talk with Anne Wellington in Lovers Lane was running through his mind like a thread of gold and clearly the time had come either to meet her with identity unclouded in the minds of all or go away and never see her again. As to the last that depended on several things upon second thought upon one thing upon Anne Wellington herself throughout the day in her various meetings with him she had been markedly impersonal tacit intimation that from now on so long as he cared to pose as an employee of the house he must accept all the accruing conditions. He understood her position of course and as for his well he would attend to it that very night. He found his bag waiting for him at the ferry and Prince Cold South at the designated place the reading room. The Russian had not worked out of his irritation not to say alarm at the unaccountable disappearance of his chief lieutenant but found some comfort in the fact that agents of the St. Petersburg State Department were already buzzing about Washington and Boston in regard to the matter of the Austrian mobilization plans. Armitage found him in a dogged determined mood. He too was facing a situation which he meant to end that night and his plans were all matured. He went to his room spent an hour or so dictating to his secretary instructed him to call up the White Star Line in New York and book him for Friday and then went down to the billiard room where the men were engrossed in a close game between Marie and Willie Whipple from here he wandered to the smoking apartment which had begun to resemble the sample room of a wholesale liquor house. He had a servant pour him some scotch whiskey over which he sat for some time with thoughtful eyes half closed. A growing uneasiness which he could neither define nor overcome crept over him and at length he arose and passed through the library the morning room the drawing room even peering into the ballroom in his search for Ms. Wellington. Ms. Hatch was just emerging and the Prince eyed her in a presumptory way. Ms. Wellington is not about he said raising his eyebrows is not about said Ms. Hatch who hurried away with her short nervous steps before Colesawth had opportunity for questioning her further. He glared at her retreating form and was about to follow her when Mr. Wellington interposed. Hello Colesawth he said come and have a bite with us before you go downstairs we missed you in the billiard room. Colesawth bowed ceremoniously thank you but no he replied I've eaten a sandwich or so in the smoking room if you will permit I shall retire until the ah ball. All right by the way Colesawth you've seemed off your feet for the past 24 hours I'm sorry if I upset you you of course were sensible to see my position. Oh perfectly responded the Russian with an ill-concealed sneer in fact it was not concealed at all as he turned toward the stairway when Armitage took up his position near the head of the stairs about 9 30 o'clock the house was ablaze with lights but the lower floors were deserted save for the servants loitering about the hall these men all in the Wellington livery short jackets and trousers of navy blue with old gold cord impressed Jack in as much as they suggested in some way a sense of belonging to the household which they did naturally and not as servants merely engaged or loaned for the function Mrs. Wellington and her husband came down at 10 o'clock and took a position near the ballroom door just as a group of early arrivals trooped up the stairs Armitage didn't approve of Mrs. Wellington in her creamy ball gown and tiara and jewels she was majestic and imperious to a stunning degree but to the young naval officer or shall we say detective she suggested for the first time the distinction of caste the immeasurable distance created by the millions of dollars and the social prestige of Belle Wellington and those like her served to set them aloof from their countrymen and countrywomen as she walked along at the side of her hawking husband she seemed the very embodiment of the aloofness of her caste here to forejack have regarded her as a distinctly interesting remarkably well preserved middle-aged gentlewoman of striking mentality a woman whom he could like and enjoy tonight he admitted she inspired in him nothing but emotions of fear mentally he fortified himself against the appearance of Ann Wellington who in truth merited this precaution as she stepped past him with a slight nod and went down the stairs she was not a bit overdone Jack admitted that at once and yet how different she was from the girl in the shirt waist suit and black hat whom he had seen entering the sightseeing barge the previous day or who swath in his navy coat his hat pushed down over her eyes had stood with him on the bridge of the dustang she was all in white slim supple without jewelry safe for a string of pearls about her neck a light filmy veil was thrown across her bare shoulders and the living curls and waves of her flawless quaffurure gleamed as they caught the lights of the chandeliers and yet the girlishness which Jack had found so attractive in her was missing and so was the characteristic animation of her features instead her face was set in a formal politely interested expression which to Armitage seemed to change her entire personality yesterday she was radiant light-hearted impulsive and thoroughly lovable tonight she was so to say a professional beauty rigged intrigued for competition one of us set whose ambitions apparently coveted no triumphs more exalted than those to be gained here who rated artificiality as a fine art and appraised life upon the basis of standards which even the casual observer would hardly pronounce either moral or exalted as Armitage followed her graceful course to the side of her parents he groaned half humorously and then went wandering about the upper hallway uprayed to conflicting emotions engendered by the new point of view which the girl had unconsciously presented a couplet of brownings was running through his mind and more than once he found himself muttering the words oh a little more and how much it is and the little less and what worlds away true what worlds away she was tonight not that he had any sense of social inferiority he was too proud of his family for that but utterly alien to him and his thoughts and ideals and aspirations she seemed he wondered at the full heartiness which hitherto had characterized his attitude toward her and at the same time called himself hard names for it while she was unapproachable with all her beauty and millions and methods of life what had he been thinking of dreaming of his face hardened it was not too late to cease playing the part of a fool and an ass he would accomplish what he had come there to do and then clear out which sensible act he trusted might at least serve to mitigate to some extent the opinion she must have formulated concerning him she had had her fun had studied and analyzed him as far as he intended she should she might have her laugh and enjoy it to the full but she was not to have the opportunity of laughing in his face he went to his room packed his bag and then going down the rear stairway took it out the servant's door and laid it under the hydrange near the main gate when he returned the guests were beginning to come downstairs all his inward ease had departed he was tense cleared for action all of which shows how far the emotions of an ardent nature are apt to lead a young man astray as he was to learn before this ball was at an end in the meantime he followed the sights and sounds with no great interest he was vaguely amused at the remark of a woman beyond the first bloom of you who turning to her companion and nodding toward a socially famous young matron who receded them down the stairs fairly jingling with jewelry remark I say Jerry Mrs. Billy has put on everything but the kitchen stove he confirmed in Jack's mind an impression which had begun to form that the smart set so-called is not altogether lacking in well smartness when the prince entered with a ribbon and orders across his breast the orchestra played the Russian national anthem where at everyone arose and stood at attention Jack noticed however that attention ceased and almost everyone sat down during the rendering of the star-spangled banner which followed this he decided might have been because no one heard it in the confusion of voices which attended the closing strains of the Russian hymn and Koltsov's course about the room Armitage particularly looked for Ann and located her at the prince's side the center of a vivacious group evidently the orchestra might as well have been playing a selection from Madame Butterfly so far as she was concerned this didn't help his mood and after waiting for the first dance a quadril in which even the elderly participated it was given so they might he sauntered out on the veranda and stood there gazing vacantly at the glowing parterre and smoking a cigarette end of chapter 22 chapter 23 of prince for chauffeur a story of Newport by Lawrence Perry this LibriVox recording is in the public domain the ball continues groups were strolling in and out among the gardens Armitage caught the pale flashes of fans and gowns the cigarette lights of the men glowed among the shrubbery like fireflies the moon was full shining through rifted clouds and the ocean murmuring at the foot of the cliffs stretched away to the starry horizon the lamps of the Brenton's reef light vessel seemed close enough to touch and farther out the lights of a deep sea tug with a string of coal barges a stern moved slowly down the coast as Jack threw away his cigarette preparatory to going into the house and Wellington stepped through the door laughing back at Coleson who was following her Jack averted his head and as he did so the girl turned to her companion pardon me for one second she said aren't you going to ask me to dance she said in a low voice as she confronted Armitage he smiled oh certainly oh there is President Laugh Dan wasn't a Dick Turpin who danced with the Duchess of something once but he was hanged later not for that she stood for a moment regarding him and decided that no man at the ball was better to look at in any way I'm a good American tonight she said slowly I thought you might be interested to know I am interested said Jack then his eyes lighted are you serious about that dance she returned his gaze humorously defined I don't care if you don't he added I dare you they say Naval officers are divine dancers she replied as though to herself you may have the next dance if if you can find me out here and and take me away from his Highness before he could reply she had smiled and nodded and rejoined Koltsov who was waiting not without impatience at the foot of the steps he took her arm and led the way toward a small promontory overlooking the ocean his demeanor was silent romantic but somehow Anne was neither interested nor thrilled as they stopped at the edge of the cliff she released her arm which his fingers had tightly pressed he took a cigarette from his case and then impatiently tossed it away I spoke to your father this afternoon he said as to our understanding our understanding about the dowry he declined to yield to the European custom how like father of course that changes your attitude toward me her voice was cool and unwavering he raised his hands as though despairing it does not he confronted her so that they almost touched is it possible that you can think of that I replied to your father that I was going to take you anyway you are going to take me anyway what do you mean Prince Koltsov mean what do I mean why no less than that dowry or no dowry you are mine but you haven't asked me I've said nothing to make you believe that a Koltsov tossed his head days idly you said nothing he exclaimed as she remained silent you said ba are mere words only to serve you lay in my arms not a day since what words could have been so eloquent and your eyes the look in them words and could I not see could I not read his hand was on her arm but she pulled sharply back please Prince Koltsov listen you since you have been willing to recall it to me did take me in your arms indignation was rapidly mastering her I did not lead you to do it I did not want you to I am not that kind I was tired weak in mind and body and yes under your control somehow you took advantage of it I didn't know then I fancied it might be love don't you know I even asked you if it was you asked me I replied you did not deny no but I deny now it was not love not love Koltsov moved close to her then may I ask what it was surely you have not questioned my motives know if I had you should have known it before this my own motives or rather the lack of them but we won't talk about it anymore she made as though to step past him but he did not move but you must talk about it he said our our relations thus to be brushed away by misunderstanding and have I been utterly misled what is it and I command you to speak will you please let me pass no not until you have answered me there was crisp savagery in his voice and now trembling with anger turned quickly upon him very well I shall answer you I don't love you and I can't love you and I won't love you I resent your actions you've been making this house headquarters for your diplomatic schemes and when they have gone astray you have made us all the creatures of your irritable whims you made me a laughing stock when you backed out of the theater party and have done nothing but consider your own convenience irrespective of any plans I may have formed for your entertainment you were so disagreeable last night at dinner that I wept for very shame after it and and now you have your answer for a moment Koltsov stood erect as though frozen by her words then he bent his head forward menacingly and laughed we are not in monaco or russia prince koltsov but in the united states the united states sneered koltsov the next instant he was on his knees his lips on the lace of her skirt please prince koltsov don't please she glanced aside and saw the expansive white chest of armitage bearing up the slight incline and now you must excuse me she said my partner for the next dance claims me she snapped away her skirt and walked rapidly to meet jack while koltsov gathered himself to his feet and cursed voluble in three languages and was silent as they walked to the house but cheerfully so while jack could not exactly catch her expression in the moonlight he had a feeling she was glad to be with him do you want to back out he asked it isn't too late you know have you thought of the scandal do you wish me to back out she smiled have you thought you may lose your position i don't care for you can consider that i have given notice to take you back tomorrow but that does not mean she began then checked herself he waited for her to continue but she was silent as they ascended the steps the orchestra was beginning the walls with its dreamy rhythm which everybody had been humming for a month or two she led the way through a door at the lower end of the room where were the palms and shrubbery which concealed the musicians gathered her gown in her right hand and stood smilingly expectant her cheeks were deeply flushed her eyes sparkled her perfectly cut lips slightly parted for an instant his eyes rested upon her face and they glowed with open admiration then his arm had encircled her firm live waist and they whirled leisurely out upon the crowded floor she felt his strength but it was the strength that exalts a woman a strength that a woman could glory in and not feel embarrassed or self-conscious a sense of being protected not overwhelmed filled her and through the rhythm of the dance and the complete sympathy which it brought one for the other she caught perfectly his poise the mental suggested through the physical strong determined and so utterly masculine in a big clean way the poetry of the walls was well defined the reputation of the navy was losing nothing at his hands or rather feet as they glided in and out among the various couples gracefully and easily both were exalted it could not have been otherwise her supple body yielded instinctively to the guidance of his arm seemed indeed almost a part of it bodies and minds one in the interpretation of the science of rhythmic motion neither spoke until the floor had been circled then she turned her head and looked into his face tomorrow don't said jack half laughing i don't want to think of tomorrow neither do i she grimaced but i can't help it i'm going to lose my driver he smiled grimly but did not reply and so she said unconsciously allowing herself to relax in his arm what am i going to do her glance was humorously pathetic it has been so much fun but it couldn't last as true be said someday soon when i've put on my uniform may i come here and help you decide decide what pray you asked me what you were going to do she stopped dancing and looked at him with sober face where you'd better believe you may come here then you are not going to escape quite so easily as to advice cannot you give me that now i could reply jack but i won't not now oh do her voice was teasing you can't imagine what straights i shall be in not that i would promise to pronounce it wise they were dancing again well then i certainly shall hold my peace why you're positively bearish am i but then you know i might consider your words well worth following i'll wait until i can find courage to take the risk is it so awfully important is all that you may judge when i tell you the dance had ended and as he released her she reached out and tapped him on the arm you do dance divinely and now you'd better play detective mother has seen us that was quite true armitage of course had not been recognized as miss wellington chauffeur by the people in the room but mrs wellington had early detected them she said nothing until the dance ended then she looked at her husband ronald she said is and too old to be spanked do you think why rather i should say why laughed wellington oh no matter i only fancy i would relinquish my hopes for eternity if i could end of chapter 23 chapter 24 of prince or chauffeur a story of newport by laurence perry this lever vox recording is in the public domain the ball ends jack's mood would have defied analysis as he made his way through the crowded hall to the rear veranda he appeared into the smoking room in passing and found several self constituted lords of misrule holding full sway two young signs of great new york families were fencing with billiard cues punctuating each other's coats with blue chalk dots and dashes while a swaying ring cheered them on when youth emerged from the room with steps obviously unsteady and claimed one of a pair of girls on their way to the ballroom as his partner for the dance she wrapped him playfully with her fan you don't really want to partner teddy she said you want a hitching post you're spifflicated the two moved laughingly away leaving the young man marveling heavily at the discernment of the girl who had cleverly discovered that which he fancied he had carefully concealed as armitage watched him with amused interest he sighed deeply and made his way back to the smoking room jack went up the rear stairs to the second floor and out on a little balcony he had viewed miss wellington's attitude toward him from every angle and every time the result had been the same the conviction that her interest in him was something more than friendly he attempted no diagnosis of his own feelings that was not necessary they were too patent a great wave of tenderness thrilled him there was wonder too that wonder which fills a man when he begins to realize that a girl whom he has regarded as unapproachably radiant and in sheer beauty and purity and grace of being aloof from most of the things of this world finds him not unworthy of her trust her confidence and her love armitage felt himself ennobled set apart from the rest of mankind the guardian of a sacred trust if she did love him if she were willing to give herself to him she would find that the giving was not to be all hers he too would build his life henceforth upon the inspiration she gave him and he would hold himself worthy to receive it and his arm ached to hold her as he had held her but a little while ago and the strength seemed to be going out of him ah he wanted that girl now right here and nothing else in this world and then his teeth clicked shut he had work ahead of him there were other things to think about in his present mood surely he was not up to the task he had set himself he lighted a cigarette and puffed vigorously if he were going to succeed and he intended to succeed he must drain his mind rigidly into channels far remote from and he must forget her forget himself for the time being long he fought with himself and won a strong men always will and when he left the balcony there was but one thought in his mind the magnetic control which cold soft had stolen from him he had already decided to make his search when the guests were at the tables on the veranda and the blood paused quickly as he peered down the front stairs and found that all even then were making their way out of doors now to find the prince safely seated and engrossed and then action he descended the stairs and merged with the throng on the verandas there was a great deal of confusion some were already seated and calling for their companions others were blundering about searching for friends the complement of a few tables was already filled and there was much laughter and loud talking jack soon found the prince at a table for six near the railing and was at his side and sarah van balkenberg with young osborne was also there and was conversing brightly with a man across from her but cold soft was somber and silent armitage smiled and made his way into the house he walked slowly up the stairs went to his room on the third floor for a knife skeleton keys and a small jimmy and then returning to the second floor he stopped at cold soft's door which was well backed from the apartments utilized as dressing rooms for the men and women the light was burning brightly in a chandelier overhead and jack stepping to a button in the wall pressed it shrouding that part of the hall in gloom then he tested the knob and pushed slightly on the door to his surprise it yielded a thin piece of wire brushed his fingers and following it he found it led from the key hole and outside the jam of the door which had been cut slightly evidently someone was ahead of him but he did not hesitate softly opening the door he stepped into the room and closed the door behind him then for a moment he stood still he felt in his pocket for his matchbox and it just struck a light when suddenly an arm flew around his neck from behind the cork of the elbow pressing deeply into his throat without a sound jack bent forward pulling his assailant with him despite his efforts to get jack's head back between his shoulders for a full minute they were poised thus armitage knew better than to crack his neck in frantic efforts to break the strong arm grip there were other ways he was very cool and he had confidence in that neck of his which set on his shoulders like the base of a marble column the hand of the stranger was pawing for a grip on his right wrist but jack who knew the move and had no desire to have his elbow shattered kept it out of the way and all the time he kept up a slight strain upon the arm around his neck into which by the way his gin was slightly buried breaking in some degree the choking power of the hold for two minutes they stood thus slightly swaying and then instinctively jack gagging a little now felt the minutest relaxation of the arm quick as thought he changed the position of his right leg bringing into play the leverage of his hip he twisted suddenly sideways his neck slipping around in the encircling arm his hand closed upon the back of a thick perspiring neck the next instant a figure catapulted over his back bringing up with a bone racking crash against a piece of furniture armitage whose eyes were now accustomed to the dark room ran to an electric globe at the side of a writing desk and turned on the light by this time his assailant was rising tottering but full of fight a desire with jack now all for carnage was quite ready to satisfy as he started for the man something in the fellow's face made him pause he uttered a low exclamation he was takakika the japanese cook but there was no time for words the jack launched himself at him with fingers quivering in anticipation of the grip he saw he never arrived armitage whipped his right fist with all the power of his body behind it to a point about two inches below takakika's left ear there was a sharp crack and the jack fell to the floor in a huddle motionless now i reckon you'll lie still said jack impedingly you and coleslaw too will find that the spy game in the united states is full of travail he glanced at the man who was groaning now and showing signs of recovery i guess i'll lash you up to be on the safe side which he did with several of coleslaw's neck ties now then he arose and looked about the room on a table near the door were several rolls of parchment he went over to them and lifted them they were the plans of the torpedo with a sigh of relief he straightened them and folding the sheets into two small but bulky packages put them into his pockets evidently the apartment had been thoroughly ransacked by takakika doors were opened bags turned inside out the bed torn apart and the mattress ripped but where was the control armitage felt about the jack's clothing and then feverishly began going over the line of search pursued by the spy so engrossed had he been in the struggle with takakika that he had forgotten his intention of locking the door leading from the hall now his unsuccessful search filled his mind at last in a dark corner of a closet he unearthed a small square bag he had just taken it into the room and cut it when the door opened and coleslaw entered for an instant he stood blinking and then his eyes traveled swiftly about the room taking in armitage the bound and half conscious japanese and the general litter jack watched him closely ready for any move he might make the russians sudden appearance have startled him but the first substantial thought that shot through his mind was that no one could possibly have been more welcome he had failed to find the control he had to have it so he might as well have it out with the prince now as any other time if coleslaw but knew it he was facing a desperate man for until he had entered and searched the rooms jack had harbored no doubt that possession of the control was merely a matter of overhauling the prince's effects now he knew better and for the first time he was really alarmed as to his whereabouts he returned coleslaw's gaze with smoldering eyes but the russian was very much at ease what is it he asked at length without waiting for armitage to reply he walked swiftly to the desk jerked open a panel and placed his hand in the opening when he withdrew it it was empty jack laughed drew from his pocket a short heavy revolver with a pearl gold crusted handle twirled it about by the guard and then put it back in his pocket i got there first coleslaw he said prince coleslaw straightened and regarded armitage warily what does this mean he nodded his head toward takakika and started forward as for the first time he noticed that the man was a japanese ah he said i see you have foiled his spot ha ha i thank you and now the pistol and your manner ha ha ha your joke armitage saw clearly that for some reason which he believed he recognized coleslaw was willing that the incident so far as jack was concerned should end right there the prince had given him his lead he had but to follow it and clear out with no questions asked but that was farthest from his mind my joke is not clear to you i see indeed will you do me the honor to make it clear certainly last sunday night a tool of yours named yiski stole a magnetic contrivance from the shops of the torpedo station he gave it to you i want it i'm going to get it before either you or i leave this room coleslaw clasped his hands together i recognize you as a servant in the employ of this house what right have you to address me now go to your quarters at once or i shall report you you are intoxicated am i he back before the door as coleslaw's eyes moved toward it covering at the same time the call buttons in the wall at the side of the jam the prince laughed and leaned carelessly back against the table very well since you appear to do not your identity as well as your condition which is quite obvious i beg you to know i can't admit only that you have the advantage of me oh shut up said jack angrily are you going to give me that control my name is armitage i invented that device and you and your dirty band of square heads stole it i want it back now quick and if the prince still smiling interrupted ah armitage i might have known allow me to say that you wore the wellington livery with better grace than the gentleman's clothing that now adorns you with better grace i might even venture than the uniform you occasionally wear armitage who quickly saw the advantage of coleslaw's poise curved his anger at least so far as speech was concerned look here coleslaw he said let us understand each other i'm going to get that control or one or the other of us is going to be carried out of this room you have the revolver it will probably be i said coleslaw with an exclamation jack reached into his pockets throughout the revolver and hurled it through the open window they could hear it clatter on the cliffs below and then splash into the ocean instinctively coleslaw's eyes had followed the flight of the weapon when he turned his head jack was close at his side the russian stepped back jack moved forward now he said in a low tense voice that magnetic control quick there was no mistaking the quiet ferocity of his manner coleslaw had ceased to smile i haven't it are you going to give me that control i haven't it i swear look look anywhere everywhere see if i do not speak the truth then get it coleslaw moved to a bureau and jack followed him wait said the russian then like lightning his hand shot out to a heavy brass candlestick and the next instant had aimed a murderous blow at jack's head armitage caught the flash of the descending weapon in time to duck his head taking the force upon the lower muscles of his neck the wave of pain was as the lash threw up metal some horse before the prince could swing the candlestick again armitage had him by the throat and bore him to the floor half stifling his street for help as armitage sees the candlestick and tossed it to one side the knob of the door turned and the door itself partly opened he sprang to his feet pulled coleslaw to his knees and as he stood thus the door was pushed wide and ann wellington stepped across the threshold her face was pale her eyes were blazing one hand holding a heavy package she held behind her back with the other she pointed to prince coleslaw with the imperiousness of a queen what does this mean she asked sternly behind her in the doorway the tragic face of sarah abon balkenberg was framed this this scoundrel was trying to murder me armitage was looking at her over his shoulder please don't stay here miss wellington this man stole a very important part of a torpedo that i invented i'm going to make him return it before he leaves this room he says what is untrue said coleslaw it is not his property and at all events as i have told him i do not possess it the color had returned to han's face she swayed slightly as a great wave of light of knowledge passed over her mind oh her lips moved as mechanically as those of an automaton and her face was as expressionless oh her eyes seemed burning through armitage and you made me believe i mean i fought i i she bowed her head trying to stifle tears of shame and indignation don't miss wellington don't misunderstand wait until i can explain then you will know in the meantime i must have that torpedo that part of it which this russian spy stole it is not yours it is mine and i again inform you i haven't it prince coleslaw's sneering smile had returned wait crydan breaking in upon jack's angry exclamation she stepped into the middle of the room prince coleslaw is right he hasn't it i have it slowly she drew her hand from behind her back here it is coleslaw stepped forward it is mine he said i gave it in trust to you i command you to keep it until i ask for it he is lying miss wellington it is mine i can prove it lying exclaimed and tragically lying everyone has lied where is their truth in either of you where is their chivalry in you and you nodding at armitage and coleslaw who have ruthlessly used a household and a woman to your own ends oh god to test i hate you both as for this she struck the package with her hand i brought it here to give you prince coleslaw i couldn't keep it longer but now i think i can end your dispute for all time quickly she stepped to the open window and raising the bundle high hurled it out of the window and over the cliffs with a dry howl of rage coleslaw flung himself into a chair tearing wildly at his hair and beard while armitage his hands thrust deep into his trouser pocket stared at han so far as the control was concerned while its loss would set his work back several weeks it at least was out of coleslaw's hands and that naturally was the main thing it would in fact have been a source of deepest joy to him had not the shock of han's wholly unlooked for attitude and subsequent wild act almost unnerved him a traitor and wellington a traitor he said in a quivering voice traitor han's voice rose almost to a wail she turned suddenly to coleslaw of course you understand that you must leave us as soon as possible coleslaw who had arisen eyed her sullenly she turned to jack who met her eyes straight and and you she paused and studied his face you she swayed and pressed her hand to her forehead there was a flash of white and sarah van valkenberg's arms were about her and there with her head on sarah's shoulders she wept bitterly the older woman caught armitage with her eyes as she passed out of the room you fool she said then she bent toward him whispering but don't you dare go away end of chapter 24