Mr. Grex of Monte Carlo

A little murmur of dismay broke from the assembled crowd. Nothing was to be seen but a dense bank of white mist, through which shone t

s, there is not likely to be any change for twenty-four hours, and we have not, alas! sleeping accommodation. If the cars are

e avenue. From where they stood, looking downwards, the whole world seemed wrapped in mysterious and somber silence. There was nothing to be see

his," Lane remarked gloomi

eys hes

st yet.

ke little pinpricks of red fire, they saw the lights of Monte Carlo. Almost as they l

er!" Lane muttered.

n suddenly blotted out by a rolling mass of vapour. The clouds h

leys replied. "Do you th

e suggested. "My car is by the side of the

ld hear the tooting of their horns from far away below. The chief steward was directing the departures and insisting upon an interval of three minutes between each. The two men stoo

goes!" he

y illuminated inside with electric light. Almost immediately the car glided noisel

the little well-shaped space, "better say your prayers. I'm going to drive slowly enough but it's an awful job,

oceeded at a snail's pace, keeping always on the inside of the road and only a few inches from the wall or bank. Once he lost his way and his front wheel struck a small stump, but they were going too slowly for disaster. Another time he failed to follow the turn of the

coming to a standstill.

tay here all night," the

the window and began t

one should attempt the descent! We have rugs, m

hen!" Lane cri

not wise," Hunterley

rubbed the moisture from his g

e, young fellow," Hunterleys

made us all start at intervals of three minutes. Seems to me we should have be

abrupt turn and then a similar distance the other way. They had one or two slight misadventures but they made

! but this is the toughest thing in driving I've ever known! I can do ninety w

ught the car to a standstill. He had scarcely done so when they were conscious of the sound of footstep

ll be pleased

t's wrong?" L

nce," was the

n white faces and the dull gleam of metal from the firearms which his companions were carr

all about, anyhow

in a few minutes. As for you, monsieur," the man continued, turning to Lane, "you will dri

y flashed into his mind that Mr. Grex and his daughter were alre

eur," he assented. "T

er, past a line of others. Their lights wer

grumbled, as he brought his car to a s

me, if you please

as most distasteful to this self-reliant young American. Then he realised that not

ay," he dec

One man only had his hands tied behind him. The others, apparently, were considered harmless. Mr. Grex was the one man, and there was a little blood dripping from his right hand. The girl stood by his side. She was no paler than usual-she showed, indeed, no signs of terror at all-but her eyes were bright with indignation. One man was busy stripping the jewels from

rked. "It's a hold-up-a bully one, too. Makes one fe

thank heavens!"

mething tingling in his blood. One of the guests began to talk excitedly. The man who was apparently the leader, and

ith your valuables peaceably, you will be at liberty to depart as soon as every one has been d

in front of the girl. She unfasten

eck," she remarked calmly, "is

he man replied.

he exclaimed. "It

touched her, Lane, with a roar of anger, sent one of his guards flying on t

nly upon the hand of the robber. "These things aren't load

ou fellows!

ing Lane closely, cried, suddenly swinging his arm

the jewels, whose wrist Lane had broken, a

s. "To hell with you!" he added, just escaping a murderous blow and driving his fist into the face of the man who had a

ground unconscious from the effects of Richard's blow, and the leader of the gang, whom Hunterleys still held by the throat. Richard, with a clasp-knife which he had drawn from his pocket, cut t

't touch you, di

ds were still outside or not, Lane

ured. "But do you mean really that th

aying about with the lock of his old musket and I felt sure that it was of n

tle laugh. Mr. Grex tapped a ci

rcely politic in the ordinary affairs of life," he continued drily, "are admirable enough in a case li

thers were busy collecting their jewelry. The chauff

de an idiot of myself-I couldn't help it. I was staring at you and he noticed it. I didn't want him to think that I was such an ill-mannered brute as I

ed very

u wish to tell me?"

you," he woun

were being told the news. The man whom Hunterleys had captured was shrieking and cursing. From beyond came the tooting of motor-horns as the cars returned

to you in my life!" she protested

these things don't matter, now and then. Of course, you don't-you couldn't feel anything of what I feel, but with me it's there no

but her face had clouded. There was a look in

at I can do no more than thank you very, very much. And as for what you have told me, I think it is an honour, but I wish

ps of people still filled the air outside. They could hear cars coming and going.

ed?" Richard a

ook he

gag

N

very much for

e told h

ew he

te to see you in the place where that beast tri

ady left, others were being prepared for a start. Below, once more the clouds had parted and the lights twinkled like fireflies through the trees. This time t

ce for me? I am not clever, I am nobody of any account, but I care for you so wonderfully. I love you, I always shall l

ner at the same time seemed to depre

ur name?" s

he told her. "I

of you and think of to-night and think of what you have said, and pe

?" he m

her head a

arlo is finished, if you like, I will write and tell you

ing wind was driving the clouds before it, to where

asked abruptly, "that

atter at all,"

"doesn't it matter that without you life doesn't exist for me any longer? Doesn't it matter that a man has given you his wh

ave always found in

t's just what there isn't. I should go b

felt her h

ou ask is, it will seem easier. But if you really care to hear something, if it would really please you sometimes to think of it

she had glided away. He moved a step to follow her and almost at

n't felt so thrilled for ages. I only wish," she added, dropping h

back to Hunterleys. She was bu

your head," she said

s bleeding where a bullet from the revolver of

trouble you,

ing nervously. "Forgive me if my fingers trembl

still. Words seemed dif

" she said quietly. "Whom-wh

ne," he answered, "in

it he

really," she explained. "He thought, up to the last

eve so, do you thin

r. Draconmeyer was st

ey. We all look and feel, I think, as though we had

er husband. Her coat was unfastened. Hunterleys leaned towar

"You wouldn't-you couldn't d

nty of room?"

eagerly. "Mr. Draconm

d. Then he caught the smile upon

id, "I don't think

had brought up. There was just a slight mist around them, but the whole country below, though chaotic,

s remarked, as they glide

grimly. "Mine seem to