By Wit of Woman

akes that move I must

y above the bishop and were about to close upon it, when I was

then smiled. It was one of those indulgent smiles with which

ose counsel he could not condescend to rank very high, he did what most

ng care that h

more in view just then than the mere winning of the game. The time had ar

advice," I said slowly. "But there are reasons

apology with a graceful, deprecatory wave of his white hand. He was very proud of th

ution of the mystery of those lost duc

isturb one or two of the pieces. He looked intently at me, and during the stare I put the pieces upon their

theft had completely baffled the officials of the Government from His Excellency, General von Erlang

kward affair," I added

tone was stiff. He intended me to understand

move toward the m

cupied that I have won every game. To-night you have been alternately smiling and depressed; it is an easy inference, therefore

ain; and presently looked across the board at me wi

ing more. What, pray, do you think the solution is?" It never ent

onable time in discovering what wa

tended. Then the frown changed to a sneer, masked w

our Government to fall under

onal flippancy. I was not in the least awed by his eminent position, while he him

ul. But such matters as this--" and he waved his white hand again loftily; as though

y become governess to his two girls in order to make a

cy send for your da

in him. If you wish to interest a m

hat pu

see there is

s now interested enough to wish me to do so. I let my fingers dawdle among

led envelope which I gave her six days ag

murmured, wrinkling his b

te a usual person," I

our me. His brows straightened out, and his purse

Gilmore, if a little unusual, as

k, not looking at the board and not speaking until his daught

said to her. "She wishes you to bring it to me. Has it really any con

aug

d a girl in my position, here only a few

nning in his own mind, he had no dif

he asked, with a little fret

iagnosis as a somewhat unusu

owing his eyes, and with an impatient gesture he leaned back again. I

sarcasm and irritation. I was to understand that a man of his exalted importance was not to

from the board

ed the mate problem with my hand, but my eyes contradicted the gesture. He believed the eyes, and

s sense of dignity and piqued curiosity was quite amusing. But I was careful not to show my amu

part of some silly childish game to which he had

ll I do w

open it?" I s

brows and smiled, obviously excusing himself to himself for his

with astonishment, his lips were pressed close together to check the exclamation of surprise that rose to them; even his colour ch

my moment

aid again, lightly. "It is a most i

out of considera

mean?" he asked,

mewhat simpering stupidity. "I was trying my hand at adapting the French prover

" he exclaimed

: "It is the answer to your Excellency's question as to my opinion of the solution. If yo

round as though the very furniture m

served, with a carelessne

d then striking a match burnt it with great deliberation, watch

tte has had thi

dical," I replied, slowly. "I meant to

d his face very stern as he paused befor

ve further charge of my two daughters, Miss Gi

rness to your children, but to enter the service of the Government. This is the evidence of my capaci

inished he frowned-not in anger but in thought. Presently a slight smile, very slight and rather grim, d

sh the game, y

aconically, a twink

for your Excell

yer, Miss Gilmore.

ys been fond

od at g

meaningly. "One has to see two or three moves

this out. You may have made a miscalcula

game, your

very co

am sure o

h and after studying th

ve. It is my chance. Check now,

I resign. And now we will talk. You play a good game an

ns, the stakes are worth winning,

girls of your age

y-three," I

your age is generally looking for a

t," said I. "Besides, I may have been a girl," I added, demurely

" he aske

rl, I hope-but w

aking a confidant of an ol

aying before you m

in political intrigue? Tell me, the

your Excellency's Governm

could

mer indulgent superiority in

ortunities as yo

ther cleve

seen the jewels in Madame

r surprised, but the

mewhat dangerous young woman i

culously eas

will explai

Count Karl had stolen the jewels, and that his object would only be to give them to the Countess, I had only to gain a

d, I c

to indulge in a s

so that she kept me in the house some hours. I was able to amuse her; and

ked for

ot so crude and inartistic in my met

f of the statement cried

speak of matters which necessitated her going to that hiding-place, and interested her until she forgot th

them back?" he

up and answere

erstand me or my motives, I fear. I could

quickly, adding with a touch of malice. "But y

o far successful that I won the Countess' co

credentials, I suppose?" he said, h

for no cr

ting you so badly as to take you into her

oured by even your confidence in giving me m

w up hi

cretion with which you have since justified my con

t, together, we should m

o her, Miss Gilmor

no difficulty in co

ll you that I am in no way dependent upon my work for my living. I am an American, as I have told you, but not a poor one; and

e. Yet you spoke of-of a re

vernment; to go my own way, to use my own methods, and to rely only upon you where I may need the machinery at your disposal. My succ

unusual terms so long tha

She is the secret agent of her Government. She has not told me that, or I should not tell

a deep

he murmured; then bluntly:

sure you would make, General

markable young wom

ood-night. I am no longer your daughter's governess

consideration as showed me I had impressed him quite as deeply as I could have wished. P