nother death added to our little list before we are quite masters of
the situation in Vienna."

They gave Zmai orders to remain on guard at the house and went hurriedly
out together.

CHAPTER VI

TOWARD THE WESTERN STARS

Her blue eyes sought the west afar,
For lovers love the western star.

--_Lay of the Last Minstrel_.

Geneva is a good point from which to plan flight to any part of the
world, for there at the top of Europe the whole continental railway
system is easily within your grasp, and you may make your choice of
sailing ports. It is, to be sure, rather out of your way to seek a ship
at Liverpool unless you expect to gain some particular advantage in doing
so. Mr. John Armitage hurried thither in the most breathless haste to
catch the _King Edward_, whereas he might have taken the _Touraine_
at Cherbourg and saved himself a mad scamper; but his satisfaction in
finding himself aboard the _King Edward_ was supreme. He was and is, it
may be said, a man who salutes the passing days right amiably, no matter
how somber their colors.

Shirley Claiborne and Captain Richard Claiborne, her brother, were on
deck watching the shipping in the Mersey as the big steamer swung into
the channel.

"I hope," observed Dick, "that we have shaken off all your transatlantic
suitors. That little Chauvenet died easier than I had expected. He never
turned up after we left Florence, but I'm not wholly sure that we shan't
find him at the dock in New York. And that mysterious Armitage, who spent
so much railway fare following us about, and who almost bought you a
watch in Geneva, really disappoints me. His persistence had actually
compelled my admiration. For a glass-blower he was fairly decent, though,
and better than a lot of these little toy men with imitation titles."

"Is that an American cruiser? I really believe it is the _Tecumseh_. What
on earth were you talking about, Dick?"

Shirley fluttered her handkerchief in the direction of the American flag
displayed by the cruiser, and Dick lifted his cap.

"I was bidding farewell to your foreign suitors, Shirley, and
congratulating myself that as soon as _pere et mere_ get their sea legs
they will resume charge of you, and let me look up two or three very
presentable specimens of your sex I saw come on board. Your affairs
have annoyed me greatly and I shall be glad to be free of the
responsibility."

"Thank you, Captain."

"And if there are any titled blackguar