Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1893-04-29

Petre, the guard, already squared with
my 500 francs, is on the lookout. He
bundles you, with many apologies, into
the coupe reserved for our good friend
the Prince. Spandorif will recognize
| you as fellow guest at this hotel, and
as you are pretty when-pardon me
Nine. Vanhuysen is not by for COMPARE
son, he will be civil. You also are civil,
though very sad at first at the absence
of your brother, who, you suppose, has
through his foolishless lost the train.
The Prince consoles you; you are con-
soled; and by the time Marseilles is
reached you are sufficiently friendly 20
ask favor. the train is just about to
start again; present myself at the
door of the coupe, aud great
scene of happiness ensues. l have
been In the train all the while, but
missed you somehow at Nice station.
There is no time for explanation-nay
jump ina You appeal to the Prince
he cannot refuse-and I jump. The
train goes on. 1t is dark now; and
presently something which was once a
too Jealous Russian official is flung out
on to the line at a desolate place. At
Lyons two wearied travellers, not bit
like you and I, leave the train aud cut
across country to Geneva. By the time
that thing in the desolate place is dis
covered, we are lost in the crowd and go
on our several ways"
Ko!nitz checked himself at muttered
"lIusa !" from his companion, and Mrs.
Vanhuysen entered the sale-tais time
ty the door, presumably to go to her
own apartments.
The effect upon the two conspirators
was Simultaneous aud decided. Kolnitz
muttered a cultural German oath, and
stared blankly at Madame, in whose
wide, open eyes, a look of trouble was
gathering.
"Did you hear that2" Kissed the
Baron. ''It is as 1 feared; the whole
pretty fabric falls. The Prince is to
stay for a week.
Control YOURSELF" whispered the
woman; "yes, heard plainly enough.
She told the waiter to inform the maitre
d'hotel that the apartments OF NJ. lie
Prince are retained for a week certain.
That walk in the grounds has done it
evidently"
They sat quite still, bordering deeply
for some moments. At length the Baron
rose.
II feel" he said, "like play wright,
who. on the eve of a production of his
masterpiece, is told to change his plot,
his scenery and some of his char cters,
retaining only the stars of the piece,
AMI yet to be ready at the appointed
hour. No matter; we shall kill some
hH V before the 18th. But for myself
feel no longer like work for to-day. 1
shall seek distraction at the tables at
Monte Carlo, and not return till mid.
night. Will you accompany me'"
Il will join you later in the day." she
replied. 81 cannot dismiss our purpose
from my mind so easily. | shall go to
my room now and think. l must
study Mime. Vauhuysen and the Prince,
aud perhaps shall be able to hit upon
some new idea. l will meet you at the
Casino in time for dinner, and we can
return together"
1t was not till 4 o'clock thai Nine.
Mosenthal emerged from her room,
ready dressed for her trip to join the
Baron at Monte Carlo. She had some
little time to spare before the train to
the gambling resort was due to start,
and she decided to employ the interim
in prospecting the move nents of the in
tended victim. To this end, however,
it was necessary that she should scrape
acquaintance with Mrs. Vanhuyseu, and
study her relations with Spandof more
closely.
Madame proceeded to the garden at
the rear of the hotel. Here there was
fountain, aud chairs were set out under
the trees for the use of the visitors. The
Russian was nowhere to be seen, but
there was Mrs. Vauhuysen, seated quite
alone, and pensively watching the play
of the spiral jets.
1t was an opportunity too good to be
lost. The adventures approached,
and, seating herself in the chair near by,
remarked on the beauty Of the scene,
Mrs. Vanhuysen's reply was as brief as
was consistent with politeness.
81 hear that the Prince is to stay here
for week. That will be very charming
Tor you," proceeded madaine, nothing
daunted. pardon me, but we have
noticed that he seem greatly smitten.
Mrs. VaGhuyseu stared at her with
uufeigned astonishment. "You-you
must have been real smart to do that,
she blurted out at length. ironically.
She who called herself Mosenthal
nodded and smiled. st is too plain
for error, madame" she simpered
"Will he spend much of his time at the
tables, think you?'
II cannot say" replied Mrs. Vanhuy-
sen; "neithcr can ] see that it concerns
you. But" she added, and then she
rose joyfully from her chair, "here he
comes himself. You had better ask
him."
round. A welldressed, dapper-looking
man, with travelling bag is his hand
and a railroad rug over his shoulder,
was advancing from the hotel.
"rhatr said Madam Mosenthal, "that
is not Prince Spandof."
"Who SAID it was," Snapped Mrs.
Vauhuysen. "But it is the Prince | am
mostly concerned in, aud the o1e you
have been talking about, 1 guess, seeing