Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-06
THE MISSING PRINCE
ADVENTURE OF AN AMATEUR DE-
TEOTIVE.
BY MAJOR ARTHUR GRIFFITHS.
Copyright. 1897. S. S. Mcclure Co.,

(Copyrigh' 1897. s S. Mcclure Coz
Written for The Evening SER
The firm of Black g. Brightsmith was
good enough to express its great and CRATE
full appreciation of my help in the case
of the Escondida mine. 1t promised me
other work of the same kind, Plenty. Il L
cared to take it up. and soon sent to ask
whether 1 could undertake confidential
mission to Algeria
1t was to convey d considerable sum of
money in specie to the remote town Of
Biskra. a health resort of growing popular
ity. situated in the far-off desert, almost on
the confines of the great Sahara.
TIE money is TO be paid over in eN-
change fer u certain compromising doe
rmcnt. one that closely affects the honor
and character of Il great family. Will you
go?'' said Harry Brigntsn,ith.
1 expressed my readiness, but asked why
the sum could not be paid by check.
The demand is for gold. In any case,
we wish to secure the papers in full &C
ouittance. and this can bes,-can only-be
done by the hand of thoroughly trust
orthy agent, some one who will, If noces-
sary, give and take at one and the same
time
If necessary" ! inquired, catching at
the doubt implied.
We have no absolute certainty. Mac.
that the demand is justified. that the case
is bona fide and rot trumped up for the
extortion of bIackmail This is another
and still stronger reason for our appiica-
ton TO you. If you can only find that
there has been any foul play anywhere,
You will earn the eternal gratitude of his
fighness as we'll as handsome douceur.
Wait Let HE tell you the whole story.
You have heard of the Medeas? They
were oLce "A reignirg house. and may some
day come to the throne again. MeahWhlie
Prince Casimi'- de Medea lives IN sfeat re.
tirem. mt on the Thames. and his eldest
SEN Stanislas, who has come to man es-
tate has been sent round the world 10
complete his education. with COOK tlcket,
in eighty days.
PRINCE StanisIas is said to be lively
youth fond of horses, sport. amusement,
the fair sex-all that makes NE ENJOY
able at twenty-five. He has cost his high
ness coed deal Of money at times, out
his father has paid without a murmuc-
until row. The present demand-that On
which we seek your cooperation, Mac
Is for the liquidation OF gambling dept
alleged, disgraceful circumstances. The
young prince has been accused of fla
grant attempt to correct fortune
in plain English. of cheating at cards
Nothing less. And on the surface the
case seems perfectly clear. The charge
of cheating is supported by his own con-
fession. owning up. in so many words,
signed by his own hand, and duly attestsi-
H.
in our hands. Here it IS But first READ
the letter that accom- panied it.
1t was dated from the Hotel des Zibaus-
Biskra. and. translated. ran as follows;
Your Highness-It is our inexpressibiy
painful task to bring TO your highness' no
tice the deliberately dishonest end dis
graceful conduct of your son, trlnce STAN
isias de Medea. He has been caught cheat
ing. at baccarat: caught in the act, ia
GRAVITY. This depiorable affair occurred at
th, CercIe el Saiahin. TO which the prince
was readily admitted on account of his
rank and presumed gentiemaniy character
Last night. when engaged in friendly
game. he took the bank with a capital of
1000 francs advanced him without ques-
ton by the gerGnt of the club. Up 10
that point he had lost steadily, but now
the luck turned. 1t became phenomenal.
At every deal tie prince won; he cleared
the table. For quite an hour this lasted,
but with a growing suspicion in the minds
of several players that all was not well.
We set ourselves to watch the prince
myself wcs chosen to stand behind him,
and at a given moment, a signal being
made. to seize and hold his hanos.
Il did 50. and Immediately rack of
cards, concealed somewhere within his
paletot. fell TO the ground. 1t was q pack
made up chiefly of -threes' and SKIES If
your hiShness is acquainted WITH the
game of baccarat the capital Importance of
these numbers will need no explanation
Play stopped and two of US were
deputed TO draw up a proces-verbal de-
scribing the occurrence
'Of course the princes gains were de-
ciared null and void. and he was called
Upon to make restitution, also to Fay his
previous losses and the advance made by
Inc gerant. These amounted in all to 1901
francs. and. he had funds, I dis
charged the debt. taking his acknowledge
ment-
We also prepared for your sons sigma
ture p confession of his misconduct a
copy of which duly certified by a notary
is incl0Sa1 vii 10
rendered 10 your son or TO any person you
may name on one condition. that you hand
over in exchange a sum of 5000 francs,
to be applied for the relief of the poor
Arabs in this oasis.
We think that your highness will see
the wisdom OF meeting Is fairly and
promptly. 1t can hardly be your wish
that a Prince de Medea. the direct heir TO
ycur ancient name and future holder of the
high fortune that may some day return
to your noble house. should be exposed as
a cneat. branded as a blackguard, through
cut the civilized world 1t is only out
OF consideration to your highness that we
spare MIN the ignominy he SO richly
merits"
.'Ccnceiving that your highness would
wish to avoid all publicity. consent to
receive the moneys claimed in gold If
your highnesS' representative will meet
ours in Algiers on the I'D of November at
midday in The Jardin Marengo. near the
ESpidnade Babel Oned, the exchange can
be completed. Let him seat himself on
the seventh bench from the main en-
trance and wear n white hat. Unless he is
alone no steps will be taken to meet him.
The slightest suspicion of bad faith or
your failure to comply with the conditions
given on the date fixed. will cause the alb
sciute rupture of all negotiations, and the
proces-veroal. the confession, with full
particulars. shall! be published in the press
OF every capital of Europe.
We are. with profound respect and the
assurance of our deep and abiding SYM
"Phiildor de Fivas
"Anatole Mirabel."
The confession. which was full and ex-
picit. bore the princes signature. the at
testation of the witnesses thereto, and the