Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-10-22
THE MISSING PRINCE.
By Major ARTHUR GRIFFITHs.
[Copyrigrt. 1898. By the Author.l

Ihe nrm or BLACK 0 brlgnGSIulbu was
good enough to express its great and
grateful appreciation of my help in the
case of the Escondida mine. 1t promised
me other work of the same kind, plenty,
if cared to take it up, and soon sent to
ask whether I could undertake con-
fdential mission to Algeria.
It was to convey considerable sum
of money in specie to the remote town
Of Biskra, a health resort Of growing
popularity, situated in the faroff des-
ert almost on the confines of the great
Sahara.
"The money is to be paid over in ex-
change for certain compromising docu-
ment, one that closely affects the honor
and character of a great family. Will
you go?" said Harry Brightsmith.
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 acquittance, and this can best-can
only-be done by the hand Of thor
oughly trustworthy agent, some one
who will if necessary give and take at
one and the same time.
eff 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 not trumped up
for the extortion of blackmail. This is
another and still stronger reason for our
application to you. If you can only find
that there has been any foul play any
where, you will earn the eternal graft
tude of his highness as well as hand
some douceur. Wait. Let me tell you
the whole story.
"You have heard Of the Medeas:
They were once reigning house and
may some day come to the throne again.
Meanwhile Prince Casimir de Medea
lives in great retirement on the Thames,
and his eldest son, Stanislas, who has
come to mans estate, has been sent
round the world to complete his educa-
ton with Cook ticket in so days.
prince Stanislas is said to be live.
ly youth, fond of horses, sport, amuse-
ment, the fair sex-all that makes life
enjoyable at %. He has cost his high
ness a good deal Of money at times, but
his father has paid without a murmur
until now. The present demand-tbat
on which we seek your cooperation,
Mac-is for the liquidation Of gam
bling debt incurred under peculiar-in-
deed, as it is alleged, .disgraceful-cir-
cumstances. The young prince has been
accused of a fragrant 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 confession, owning up in so many
words, signed by his own hand and
duly attested. We have the notarial,
authenticated copy in our hands. Here
it is But first read the letter that &C.
companied it,
1t was dated from the Hotel des III
baus, Biskra, and translated ran as fol-
lows:
YOUR HIGHNEss-It is our inexpressibly
painful task to bring to your highness' notice
the deliberately dishonest and disgraceful con.
duct of your son, Prince Stanislas de Medea.
He has been caught cheating at baccarat-
caught in the act fagrantly. This deplorable
affair occurred at the Cercle el Salahin, to
which the prince was readily admitted on ac-
count Of his rank and presumed gentlemanly
character.
Last night, when engaged in friendly
game, he took the bank with capital OF 2,OOO
francs, advanced him without question by the
gerant Of the club. Up to that point he had
lost steadily, but now the luck turned. 1t be-
came phenomenal At every deal the 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 was chosen TO stand behind him and at
q given moment, signal being made, to seize
and hold his hands.
l did So and Immediately q pack Of cards,
concealed somewhere within his paletot, fell
to the ground. 1t was pack made up chiefly
Of "threes" and "sixes." If your highness IS
acquainted with the game Of baccarat, the
capital Importance Of these numbers will need
no explanation.
Play was stopped, and two Of US were deput'
ed to draw up proces-verbal describing the
occurrence.
OF course the princes gains were declared
null and void and he was called upon to make
restitution; also to pay his previous losses and
the advance made by the gerant These
amounted in all to 7,5O7 francs, and, as he had
no funds, discharged the debt, taking his &C
acknowledgement.
We also prepared for your sons signature q
confession of his misconduct, copy Of which,
duly certified by notary, is now inclosed
The original will be surrendered to your Bon
or to any person you may name on one condi'
tion-that you hand over in exchange a sun,
of 25,0O0 francs, to be applied for the relieS OF
the poor Arabs in this oasis
We think that your highness will see the
wisdom of meeting US fairly and promptly.
1t can hardly be your wish that Prince de
Medea, the direct heir to your ancient name
and future holder Of the high fortune that
may some day return to your noble house,
should be exposed as q cheat, branded as Q
blackguard, throughout the civilized world. II
is only out Of consideration to your highness
that we spare him the ignominy he so richly
merits.
Conceiving that your highness would wish
to avoid all publicity, we consent to receive
the moneys claimed in gold. II your highness
representative will meet ours in Algiers on the
23d uf November at midday in the Jardir
Marengo, near the Esplarnde Babel Oned, the
exchange can be completed. Let him seat
himself on the seventh bench from the main
entrance and wear a white hat. Unless he i:
alone no steps will be taken to meet him.
~. - lol f.ith