Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 18, 2025
"Excellency," he said sullenly, "it is unfair that I am denied the knowledge of detail that I need. That is why I sought to read the cipher." "And yet, Themar," said the Baron softly, "I fancy Ronador has told you something enough!" He shrugged, his impenetrable eyes narrowing slowly.
Once with a grinding shudder of brakes he halted on the border of a cypress swamp and stared frowningly at the dark, dank trees knee-deep in stagnant water above which the buzzards flew, as if the loathsome spot matched his mood. As indeed it did. For the words of Themar had done cruel work.
"I would have you face this thing squarely and investigate it link by link. I would have you abandon the damnable man-hunt that has sent one man to his death in a Florida swamp and goaded another to a reckless frenzy in which all things were possible. Themar is dead. That Granberry is alive is attributable solely to the fact that he was cleverer and keener than any of those who hounded him.
"Now as for the cryptogram which tempted you so sorely," went on the Baron smoothly. "Its chief mission, as I have repeatedly assured you, was to convert my journey of pleasure in America into one of immediate hum service. I have spoken to you of a certain paper " "There was more," said Themar sullenly.
"His discretion," added Philip warmly, "has departed to that forgotten limbo which has claimed his beard." The Baron was staring very hard at the camp fire. "So," said he at last, "it is for this that I have been " he searched for an expressive Americanism, and shrugging, invented one, "thunder-cracking along the highway in search of the man Themar saw by the fire of Miss Westfall.
There's a knife and a bullet now, Johnny's two men and the auto, and a cuff and a most mysterious link between our lady and the Baron. I'll be hanged if I like any of it. And why in thunder did Themar crib an aeroplane and bump his fool head?" He fell suddenly thoughtful. "As for you, old top," he added presently, "you ought to go home. Dick will be fussing." Nero waggled ambiguously.
Now as Ronador smiled down into the clear, unfaltering eyes of the girl before him, he knew suddenly that he trusted her utterly, that the mad suspicion, sired by the words of Themar and mothered by jealousy, was but a dank mist that melted away in the sunlight of her presence. Only jealousy remained and a smouldering, unscrupulous hate for the persistent young organ-grinder behind him.
Wherefore, with a civil expression of regret at his loss of temper and certain curt instructions, he dismissed Themar, sullen and chastened, and betook himself to an open window, where he sat smoking thoughtfully until the house grew quiet and one by one the lights in the valley faded out.
"My mother," said Themar sullenly, "was of Galituria. There is hatred there for Houdania a century's feud " "And you in the employ of the rival province hunting this to earth! What a mess what a mess!" Followed a battery of merciless questions punctuated by the diabolic clank of metal. Themar had been deputed solely to report to Baron Tregar "And murder me!" supplemented Carl curtly.
"Here," said Carl, pouring him some brandy from a decanter on the table. "Sit quietly for a while and close your eyes. Are you better now?" he asked a little later. "Yes," said Kronberg faintly. "What is your real name?" "Themar." "When you took service with my aunt in the spring, you were looking for a certain paper?" "Yes." "Did you find it during your ten days in the town-house?" "No."
Word Of The Day
Others Looking