ed Renwick. "The conditions are not so propitious
as they were a while ago. A storm is brewing perhaps?"

The man examined him steadily, aware of the double meaning, but only
smiled again. Renwick got up and with great deliberateness, moved the
length of the aisle, and, while Marishka followed him with her gaze,
seated himself directly opposite the intruder. The man made a movement
with his right hand which he put into the side pocket of his coat, but
as Renwick sat, he smiled again and shrugged.

"You are traveling to Budweis and beyond?" asked the Englishman.

"To Budweis and beyond," said the other coolly. "And I would advise Herr
Renwick," he went on quickly, "that the hotels of Budweis are
excellent."

"Ah!" That he had come out into the open suited Renwick's plans
excellently. He removed his monocle and slipped it into a waistcoat
pocket. "To be sure. Budweis. Unfortunately the lady whom I have the
honor to accompany, visits friends at some distance in the country."

"The Countess Strahni must go to the Kaiser von Oesterreich Hotel at
Budweis tonight," he said with precision. "It is near the station." And
then quickly "I would also advise Herr Renwick to move at once to the
other end of the compartment."

Renwick stared at him for a moment as though he had not understood his
meaning and then shrugged and rose. Polite amenities had ceased. He
turned half toward Marishka and then, without warning, threw himself
furiously at the man.

There was a muffled discharge as the stranger attempted to draw the
weapon from his pocket, but the bullet did no damage, and the
Englishman's blow, fiercely struck, sent the other reeling sideways. He
smiled no longer, but struggled upward gamely. Renwick had caught his
pistol hand and forced him down to the floor, where he pinioned him with
his weight.

The whole affair had happened so quickly that after one gasp of terror,
Marishka had sat stupefied with horror. But as the struggle continued,
the man on the floor began to shout lustily for help, and she sprang to
the aid of the Englishman, who was choking the man by twisting his
cravat.

"Your veil--quick," he stammered breathlessly. And after she had given
it to him, "Now, take the revolver from his coat pocket."

She obeyed. Most of the fight was out of their antagonist, and the
muzzle of the automatic, thrust beneath his nose, completed his
subjugation. After they had gagged him, they bound his wrists and ankles
with