Castle Craneycrow

limpse of the duke and his companion, doubtful as to the sincerity of the beautiful and mysterious stranger. It was not until the train reached Mons that he caught sight of the duke. He had

train, one coach ahead of that occupied by Quentin, who returned to his compartment and proceeded to awaken

apping. We have a friend in the pretty woman who got off in the rai

s goin' up ag'inst over here. Dukes and lords are as common as cabbies are in New York. Anyhow, this duke ain't got no bulge on us. We're nex' to him,

p your mouth closed and your hands behind you. What I want you to do is to watch, just as they are doing. Your early

They is microsco

s a surprise and something of a shock to him. It was an admission, despite his position and the pledge he had from the girl herself, that the Italian did not feel secure in the premises, and was willing to resort to trickery, if not villainy, to circumvent the American who knew him in other days. Phil felt positive that the move against him was the result of deliberate intent, else how should his fai

t uncertain odds and in the face of surprising opposition. In this day and age of the world, in affairs of the heart, an American does not look for rivalry that bears the suggestion of medieval romance. The situation savored too mu

ing in years was to occur in Brussels. St. Gudule, that historic cathedral, was to be the scene of a ceremony on which all European newspapers had the eye of comment. American papers ha

his part, due to the disappointing fact that the Belgian driver could understand nothing more than the word Bellevue, while Turk could interpret nothin

s," said Phil, after the fi

s in half as many days," said the duke, in his execrable English. They paused at the side of the Italian's conveyance, and Quentin mentally re

remain until after the marriage of my friend, Miss

black eyes fastened on Quentin's, "My

atic, I

r me to say so. I suspect I sh

am to be at

may see some of t

d Quentin, bowing deeply

d is in Florence. I am

ry one away from a sick wife. By the w

ou are here, for he is coming to Brussels next week. I think

faint look of curiosity flashed into the duke's eyes. As they were saying good-night, Quentin looke

quarter, and that the Avenue Louise was one of the principal streets. An electric tramcar took him speedily through the Boulevards Regent and Waterloo to the Avenue Louise. A strange diffidence had prevented him from asking at the hotel for directions that would easily have discovered

wly along, looking intently at each house. None of them seemed to him to hold the object of his search. As his steps carried him farther and farther into the beautiful avenue he began to smile to himself and his plodding spirit wavered. After all, thought he, no one

her eyes were on the ground and she seemed preoccupied. In her hand she held a letter. A gasp of astonishment, almost of alarm, came from her lip

ere," he exclaimed, joyfully, seizing

brave effort to recover from the shock his appear

Dorothy. Shall I

if rooted to the spot, t

glad to have you here," she hurried, in evident confusion. She bethought herself suddenly and made an effort

gh. Somebody's expecting it, you know. Hullo! That's not a n

You surprised me so tremendously that I fear I'

is. The prince will blame the

hen became more confused than ever. "Come to the hous

here he could not regard it too closely should his curiosity overcome his prudence. They were ushere

," she said, taking a chai

e said. "I am in Brussels, a

at you were coming? You haven't acted m

our hand. Sometimes we think better of our intentions at the very instant when they are going into effect. It is very

eing you could have a

y plan that letter is intended to perfect. Don't let me be an inc

the least; really, it

to her in a language Quentin could not understand. He afterward heard it wa

n for the moment, fell from her lap to the rug. In an instant he had stepped forward to pick it up. As he stooped she realized what had happened, and, with a frantic little cry,

ed his fingers, and hers clutched the envelope ruthlessly. As they straightened themselves each was looking direc

he knew not why. His hand was extended. She drew su

hen she laughed as the true humor of the situation made itself f

ails. You have my letter, and I hope it won't be ne

give it to you?" she cri

reatened, eagerly. He would have given his head to read the contents of the letter th

lication in her eyes. "I wouldn't give you the letter for th

etter," he com

me to hate yo

ven f

le envelope," she cried, tearing the missive into pi

at's downright cruel. I

ly saved you the trouble of des

t it forever," he

on it. You shall have that much of the letter." He took it rather gracelessly and, deliberately openi

tly, from the bottom of the steps, "fo

He sat down and wondered whether the contents would have pleased or displeased him. Philosophically he resolved that