* * * * * * *
They brought rather interesting news concerning the Count. It appears that he and the baron had quarrelled and at the time of my friends' departure from Vienna it was pretty generally understood that there would be a duel.
"I never liked the baron," I said, with a grim smile that could not have been misinterpreted, "but I hope to heavens he isn't killed."
Mrs. Titus sighed. "Tarnowsy is regarded as a wonderful marksman."
"Worse luck!" growled Colingraft, gloomily twiddling his thumbs.
"What kind of a shot is the baron?" asked Jasper Jr., hopefully.
No one was able to enlighten him, but Billy Smith shook his head dolefully.
"Maris Tarnowsy is a dead shot. He'll pot the baron sure."
"Hang it all," said I, and then lapsed into a horrified silence.
When the Hazzards and Smiths departed the next morning they were in full possession of all of our plans, hopes and secrets, but they were bound by promises that would have haunted them throughout all eternity if they allowed them to be violated. I do not recall having seen two more intensely excited, radiant women in my life than Elsie and Betty Billy. They were in an ecstatic state of mind. Their husbands, but little less excited, offered to help us in every way possible, and, to prove their earnest, turned the prow of the motor-boat down-stream, abandoning the trip up the river in order to be in Vienna in case I should need them for any purpose whatsoever.