CHAPTER IXMARY LOUISE SCENTS A MYSTERY
Colonel Hathaway instantly rose.
"I beg your pardon," said he. "I am Colonel James Hathaway, anAmerican, and this is my granddaughter, Mary Louise Burrows. Ourcarriage met with an accident on the main road below and we wandered inhere while waiting for repairs and chanced to meet your daughter. Youare Mr. Jones, I believe?"
He nodded, still standing in his place and regarding his visitors withunconcealed suspicion. Under his arm he held several books.
"Who informed you that I was living here?" he demanded.
"I was wholly unaware of the fact," said the Colonel, stiffly. "I didnot know you were in Italy. I did not know such an important personexisted, strange to say, although I can remember that an artist namedJason Jones once married Antoinette Seaver, the daughter of my oldfriend Captain Robert Seaver."
"Oh, you remember that, do you?"
"This is the first time I have had the distinguished honor of meetingyou, sir, and I trust it will be the last time."
"That's all right," said Jason Jones, more cordially. "I can't see thatit's any of my affair, either way."
"We have been making the acquaintance of Tony Seaver's daughter, MissAlora Jones, in your absence. But we will not intrude farther, Mr.Jones. Come, Mary Louise."
"Oh, don't go!" pleaded Alora, catching Mary Louise's arm. And justthen Leona entered with the tea and biscuits.
"Sit down, man," said Jason Jones in a less aggressive tone. "I've noobjection to your coming here, under the circumstances, and you are ourfirst visitors in three years. That's often enough, but now that youare here, make yourself at home. What's happening over in America? Haveyou been there lately?"
He laid his books on a table and sat down. But after that one speech,which he perhaps considered conciliatory, he remained glum and allowedthe others to do the talking.
Colonel Hathaway had stayed because he noted the leading look in MaryLouise's eyes. He was himself interested in Alora and indignant overher evident neglect. For her sake he would bear the insolence of hishost, an insolence he recognized as characteristic of the man.
Alora, in her father's presence, lost her fluent speech and no longerdared mention personal matters to her guests. Both Mary Louise and hergrandfather tried to lead Alora and Jason Jones to speak ofthemselves--of their life and future plans--but the man evaded directanswers and the girl had suddenly become silent and reserved.
Finally, however, Mary Louise had an idea.
"We are bound for Sorrento," said she, "where we intend to stay a weekat the Hotel Vittoria. Will you let Alora come to us for ever Sunday,as our guest? We will drive here and get her the day after to-morrow--that's Saturday, you know--and fetch her home on Monday."
"No," said Jason Jones.
"Oh, why not, father?" pleaded the girl.
"You've no fit clothes. I don't want you hanging around Sorrento," hereplied.
"It will be a nice change for your daughter and it will give us muchpleasure to entertain her," said Mary Louise.
"It's a capital idea," declared the Colonel positively, and looking theother man straight in the eye he added: "I am sure you will withdrawyour objections, Mr. Jones."
The man dropped his eyes, frowning. But presently he said to Alora:
"Go, if you want to. But keep out of the town. Don't leave the hotelgrounds."
"Why not?" asked his daughter in a defiant tone.
"It's not safe. I know Sorrento, and these rascally Italians would beglad to steal you, if they had the chance, and then blackmail me aransom."
Mary Louise laughed.
"What a fine adventure that would be!" she exclaimed. "But we willpromise to guard Alora and keep her from the clutches of bandits. Ididn't know there were any left in Italy."
"To get rid of them you'd have to depopulate the country," said JasonJones. "It is no laughing matter, young woman, and--my daughter issomewhat valuable."