The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-11-07
HIGH PRAISE.
GREAT SUCCESS

THE BRADFIELD REGU
done with the prince-at least, when in
custody they cannot carry out their pro-
gram. They will not be silenced by the
payments they demand, but they cannot
very well communicate with the press"
This news in a measure ended my
mission, which did not extend beyond
laying bare and neutralizing a clever
attempt at extortion. But | could not
rest satisfied with that had still to
fulfil a duty to my employer. | must
unravel the more serious mystery of
the princes disappearance.
So I prepared to return without delay
to Algiers and assist, so far as l might
be permitted, in the examination Of the
conspirators.
Their luck interposed in my favor,
and in no profession does the action of
blind chance go further than in that OF
the detective. The strange fact has
been proved again and again, and might
be illustrated by many curious exam
pies.
The very day before that fixed for my
through the little town of Biskra, when
chance-tthe detectives good fortune.
rather-took me into an Arab caravan
serai on the outskirts near where the
road comes in from Touggourt and Ell
Wayla, the farthest confines of the
French territory.
1t was OF the same character as those
/ had seen in the far east, great square
inclosure; the center filled with refuse
and garbage, among which stood the
camels, horses, and other animals, while
on the four sides were low doors open
ing upon the travlers' rooms.
A little on one side was new arrival
--one of those old-fashioned hooded vans
seldom seen out of France, and only
there in out-of-the-way district remote
from railways and large towns. They
are used by quack doctors, cheap jacks,
wandering photographers, and the like.
The proprietors of this van seemed to
combine all those callings with that OF
horse dealer: for a number of promising
looking colts stood around tethered by
their fetlocks, and an old man in blue
blouse and sabots was giving them wa
ter. Suddenly I saw him look toward
the back of the van, give low, shriIl
whistle, and whisper:
"Gare! La patronne. Eft patiti-et pa
titar'
Following the direction of his signal l
saw tyo young people flying apart with
a haste that showed they were doing
wrong 1t was the old, old story: love
was not running smoothly, and the chief
obstacle was, no doubt. this stalwart fe-
male in the mans red beret who had
just entered the caravanserai.
| drew near, amused, as | saw the
youth snatch up water bucket, the
girl hurriedly resume her task of shred
ding cabbages in the pot-a-feu. While
the woman-mistress or mother. proba.
bly, both-called one an idle vagabond
and the other shameless mink.
Then I caught the lads face and was
held instantly spellbound
1t was undoubtedly Prince Stanislas
de Medea.
For all his ragged dusty clothes, hi.
ill-kempt locks and grimy face, recog
nized him beyond all question as the
original Of the photographs l now held
in my hand.
"Surely, it is time, prince" I said
accosting him at once in English-''time
that this masquerade should end? I come
ITUUf your IdtHeTs ne ltdTS lHdl YOU are
dead: he almost wishes it, for by some
mad folly you have nearly brought an
indelihle stain upon an ancient name.'
He had meant, I saw clearly, to deny
his identity, but as I went on his eyes
filled with tears, and he stammered out
81 do not understand. | have done
nothing very wrong. / love her to dis.
traction"
Then | led him straight out Of the
enclosure, and, much to the surprise of
all who met rs thus arm-in-arm. took
the prncely stable boy to my hotel, and
heard all he had TO tell.
There was nothing very new In his
story. He had been wandering up from
the coast incognito. meaning to seek
adventure in the farthest limits. when
he had fallen in with these vagabond
traders and had been attracted by the
pretty Yvette. who had laughed him to
scorn then dragged him at her tail. a
hopeless and Iove-sick youth. prepared
to play any part accent any rough and
ignohIe work. only TO he near her and
press his still unrequited suit.
Della Croce must have seen him when
passing through Riskra. Prince Stanis-
las remembered the man. had met him