Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-10-22

attestation of the witnesses thereto, and
the words "copie conforme, with the
seal and signature of the notary public,
"La Ramie (PauD, Place de la Sahara,
Biskra."
"Do you believe in all this?" 1 at
once asked the partners, Black and
Brightsmith. s , oo,s u,
"But the facts are precise, and Prince
Casimir, who is our client, takes the
very gloomiest view of the situation.
He has heard nothing from his son for
some weeks-months, indeed-and ex.
cept for the letters Of credit that have
turned up pretty regularly-at least
until six weeks ago-has had no idea
of his whereabouts. We rather think he
distrusts his son, or at least is so furi-
ously angry at the scandal that he will
not look at the case calmly.
"What is he like. this young prince?
Good sort? Bad lot? which,"
Frankly, am on his side. Black
here''-Black was tall, solemn chap,
preternaturally and prematurely grave,
with slow voice and dropping eyelid-
"has been rather against him"
"No, no; not quite that, " protested
Black; "but I have thought him too
frivolous and fond of pleasure-not
sufficiently alive to the obligation of
noblesse oblige."
"Well, anyhow, there is an element
of doubt" said. cit seems highly i'm
probable tina; young prince just out
of his teens is professional Greek,
skilled in dirty tricks with the cards.
That on the face of it, first. Then the
fact that Prince Casimir has heard
nothing direct from his son-no appeal,
no apology, no attempted exculpation.
This rather tells in the lads favor, /
think. If I am asked, should say,
Don't pay-not at least till the story is
verified.
ellis highness will not run that risk.
He insists upon the money being sent
out and every stipulation fulfilled to
the letter. 1t drives him wild, the idea
of Medea posted as a cheat through
Europe, answered Brightsmith.
II don't say refuse. But at least be
certain that the case is clear. There
should be time to settle that question
between now and Nov. %. I should
like to look into it on the spot at once. I"
"At Biskra?"
Certainly. There is time, I believe,
for me to pay visit to Biskra to make
inquiries, hear all about this De Fivas
and Mirabel and the rest. Above all, to
see the young prince and hear his own
version"
"He has given it here" said old
Black, hitting the confession with his
knuckles as it lay upon the table.
"He is said to have given it there.
That may be forgery. The signature,
the official stamp Of the notary, both
might have been obtained by some ne
farious dodge. The young prince may
be under coercion"
"My dear Major Macnaghten-Innes, /"
broke in Black impatiently for one so
sedate and stolid, "in my experience an
ounce of fact is worth shipload of con-
lecture. 1 think that the safest course
is to send the money-exchange it for
the confession. Let US carry out the
contract. That, moreover, in fact, is
what our client wishes-silent compli-
ance and no risk. D."
Brightsmith, having fuller confidence
in my skill, took my view, and after
much debate it was decided that Prince
Casimir should be consulted. He came
up to Gresham street, rather limp old
gentleman, to whom this was crown
ing bitterness in life Of disappoint-
ment, and we had some difficulty in
persuadlng him to the bolder course 1t
was the money that settled it. He was
not rich and would have been glad to
save the 81, 800 blackmail.
Having arranged that the sum in
question should await my orders at
Cooks bank in Algiers, left London
for Biskra on Nov. 2, and, taking the
most expeditions route, that via Mar
seilles and Philipville, reached the des-
ert town on the evening Of the third
day, Nov. 8. Allowing three clear days
for the return journey to Algiers, where.
if my inquiry failed, must be on the
evening of Nov. %. had just l6 days
before me.
Biskra owns several hotels, but
chose that which had been named in the
letter from MN. de Fivas and Mirabel
believing should be safest in the heart
of the enemy's country. AS had my
guns with me and proposed to call upon
both the French commandment and the
kaid, or Arab governor, as an English
sportsman, eager to hunt all kinds of
game, ] hoped to escape importunate
curiosity. In support of this character
l rode out twice with the kaid's falcons
and spent night in the desert under
the Aures mountains.
At the same time prosecuted my in
quiries with the utmost caution. If it
got wind that an agent from Prince
Casimir was in Biskra, my mission
might fail at the very outset, and the
worst would happen. l was satisfied
the first day to walk through the Place
de la Sahara, where l did actually find
the brass plate of "La Ramie, Notary. !"
At the door of his office or etude as
1