CHAPTER XXXIII.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 382, 6 July 1889, Page 3

CHAPTER XXXIII.

THE ENCOUNTER AT THE RAILWAY DEPOT. Vera pub on the cloak and hat, and together she and, Wat. went out of the palace into the court-yard. Wat had remembered how to get there, bub he was ignoi-ant of the situation of the stables, whither he now wished to ?P* i Ha crossed the yard, however, and quietly made his way around the building 1 , followed by Vera, who would not now leavo him. ■> ' As they turned the dark corner of the left wing, a great, gate in the main courtyard was thrown open, jand'.a carriage was driven in; 1 „ ,-> - ,;," ■ .;■ i Drawing Vera ba^k^^ab waited. to see ty.ho. had come in,., . ' " r> [ ',„',, „ *' Jt was e.vitieti'tly'' th"e' countess herself, for every attention was shown the lady who alighted, and' who paid no attention whatever to the servants that ran out to help her. As soon as she had gone into the palace, Wab rushed from his place of concealment and stopped the coachman as heiwas turning to drive away. » > ' Drive around to ,the other entrance,' said Wat, peremptorily,.,' l want you fora libtlw while.' ' Yes, your grace,' answered the man, sulkily. Wat turned back with Vera and,, went out by the gate they had all come j.n bv in the earlier part of the evening. The coach was driven up a few seconds later, and Wat assisted Vera to get in. Then he went up to* the coachman and whispered : • Don't be a 1 fool about this thing, and' don't tell the duchess. Here's something to put you in a good humour.' He handed the man some money, and took his place by Veras side. • Where to, your grace ?' asked the footman. •To the depot. And as quickly as you can. ' He handed this man, too, some money, and a second later they were being driven rapidly away towards the depot, ' So far, well,' said Wab to his companion. ' The only question is, how long is ifc going to work so easily ?'

f ' Afc least I can die rather than be captured, and I Will,' said Vera. > ' X hope there will be no need of that. l Keep good courage, countess, and do not fear for the result.' • - 'If anything could make me sure that I . would escape, it would be your wonderful skill in getting: out of perilous positions. And, too, your coolness is infectious, and I find myself thinking calmly when it seems as if I ought to be in a tremor of fear. The ride to the depot was long enough to give Wat time to study the situation more carefully than he had done. He had really only made a general plan of escape, and now he elaborated it, bo that when later the need asrose it did not find him as unprepared as he might otherwise have been. • •> \ • ' At the station he. knew he would be closely scrutinised by the polico; who, perhaps, had even been instructed to -waich for him and Vera. He was much Jess concerned about himself than about her, for his disguise was good enough to pass muster among any but those who knew the duke well. When they reached the depot, 'therefore, he had Vera remain at one end near the door where it was darker than elsewhere, while he went up to the ticiseb-office. He had purchased their tickets when he heard a sudden scream. , Turning quickly, with, a premonition of something w'rongjjie -saw Vera struggling with another woman, who., had tora-her hati, from her head] " " There were «ot piany an the room, and, consequently all there were attracted-by--the noise. 1 * , .. fi , By the"t^me VVat reached the scene tfierei was 'a cfrcle around the two. He broke his way through it, and ran be- ( tween the countess and her assaijant.^ 1 " ' , He had no need for a look a"t her t6 Ithow ' who it was. , ' ','"''' V> " " It was Sofia ! Almost beside herself with va£e and triumph, she was pointing her.'.finger-at Vera, and denouncing her, % : , •,