54-40 or Fight | Page 9

had gone thus far. Of
course she thought me crazed, and drew back again in the shadow; but
when I turned and smiled, she smiled in answer--herself somewhat
puzzled.
"The Baroness von Ritz can not be disguised," I said; "not even if she
wore her domino."
She looked down at the little mask which hung from the silken cord,
and flung it from her.
"Oh, then, very well!" she said. "If you know who I am, who are you,
and why do you talk in this absurd way with me, a stranger?"
"And why, Madam, do you take me up, a stranger, in this absurd way,
at midnight, on the streets of Washington?--I, who am engaged on
business for my chief?"
She tapped again with her foot on the carriage floor. "Tell me who you
are!" she said.
"Once a young planter from Maryland yonder; sometime would-be
lawyer here in Washington. It is my misfortune not to be so
distinguished in fame or beauty that my name is known by all; so I
need not tell you my name perhaps, only assuring you that I am at your
service if I may be useful."

"Your name!" she again demanded.
I told her the first one that came to my lips--I do not remember what. It
did not deceive her for a moment.
"Of course that is not your name," she said; "because it does not fit you.
You have me still at disadvantage."
"And me, Madam? You are taking me miles out of my way. How can I
help you? Do you perhaps wish to hunt mushrooms in the Georgetown
woods when morning comes? I wish that I might join you, but I fear--"
"You mock me," she retorted. "Very good. Let me tell you it was not
your personal charm which attracted me when I saw you on the
pavement! `Twas because you were the only man in sight."
I bowed my thanks. For a moment nothing was heard save the steady
patter of hoofs on the ragged pavement. At length she went on.
"I am alone. I have been followed. I was followed when I called to
you--by another carriage. I asked help of the first gentleman I saw,
having heard that Americans all are gentlemen."
"True," said I; "I do not blame you. Neither do I blame the occupant of
the other carriage for following you."
"I pray you, leave aside such chatter!" she exclaimed.
"Very well, then, Madam. Perhaps the best way is for us to be more
straightforward. If I can not be of service I beg you to let me descend,
for I have business which I must execute to-night."
This, of course, was but tentative. I did not care to tell her that my
business was with herself. It seemed almost unbelievable to me that
chance should take this turn.
She dismissed this with an impatient gesture, and continued.
"See, I am alone," she said. "Come with me. Show me my way--I will

pay--I will pay anything in reason." Actually I saw her fumble at her
purse, and the hot blood flew to my forehead.
"What you ask of me, Madam, is impossible," said I, with what
courtesy I could summon. "You oblige me now to tell my real name. I
have told you that I am an American gentleman--Mr. Nicholas Trist.
We of this country do not offer our services to ladies for the sake of pay.
But do not be troubled over any mistake--it is nothing. Now, you have
perhaps had some little adventure in which you do not wish to be
discovered. In any case, you ask me to shake off that carriage which
follows us. If that is all, Madam, it very easily can be arranged."
"Hasten, then," she said. "I leave it to you. I was sure you knew the
city."
I turned and gazed back through the rear window of the carriage. True,
there was another vehicle following us. We were by this time nearly at
the end of Washington's limited pavements. It would be simple after
that. I leaned out and gave our driver some brief orders. We led our
chase across the valley creeks on up the Georgetown hills, and soon as
possible abandoned the last of the pavement, and took to the turf, where
the sound of our wheels was dulled. Rapidly as we could we passed on
up the hill, until we struck a side street where there was no paving. Into
this we whipped swiftly, following the flank of the hill, our going,
which was all of earth or soft turf, now well wetted by the rain. When
at last we reached a point near the summit of the hill, I stopped to listen.
Hearing nothing, I told the driver to pull down the