Omaha daily bee., 1899-08-20

sellor did not even take the precaution Of
placing It under another cover. He
recognized It at the blockhouse."
at seems 10 me then that you had q
decision to make at the blockhouse?'
Yes" said Rallywood simply.
But 1t was not a subject to bear discus
sion.
"As a soldier OF Nassau you decided
rightly" Selpdori misjudged Hollywood for
the moment; 1t crossed his mind that this
was a mercenary after all and to be bought.
But as a man / now wish to resign my
commission"
Selpdort raised his brcvs.
But why? At the very moment when
you have proved your faithtulness and you
zeal? When we owe you a recognition OF
these high qualities?"
II want nothing, your excellency, but TO
go out from this house a free man." re-
turned Rallywood coldly.
Reconsider your words, Captain Rally
wood"
Even II other difficulties had not arisen -
went on Hollywood, 81 may remind your
excellency that a soldiers oath does not
cover robbery and assassination"
Selpdorf was, and looked, astonished.
81 don't understand YOU" he said g~ravely.
pray tell me what you mean"
81 found Major Counsellor alone and I'M
conscious in a single carriage that had been
sent rolling down the incline on the line
where the outgoing mail train could not
fail to collide with 1t. The inference is
clear. Some one wished to make an end
of HMM a railway accident. But the
plan was a curiously stupid one, for moth
ing could satisfactorily explain Major Coun-
sellor's presence there, since 1t was well
l. q, "a uun 81 ,hn nrtl..A ta-,NaA L.. -,-.1
that he was entering. not leaving Nassau
Selpdorf stood silent. Here was another
in-devised amendment born OF Count Sa-
gan's laundering brain.
at is a very strange story" he said at
length. Had the train come into collision
with the carriage which you assert was on
the down line"
THE troops from Kofn and the railway
people at Alfau can prove that"
"The mail might have been derailed, with
no one can tell what loss of life"
Count Simon holds life cheap said
Hollywood. mo life that stands in his
way can be safe. Not even the life of Mile.
Selpdorf!"
The chancellor was moved for once.
"You are out Of your senses!" he said
sternly.
at is true!"
Both men looked round. Valerie had en-
tered.
Father, you must hear me before you
you
She glanced at Hollywood and stopped.
go, Valerie; you have nothing to do
with these things"
Selpdorf met her as she came toward him.
You mi hear me tonight, father. You
are mistaken; l have had a great deal to
do with them. I know all that Captain
Rallywood has said to you-yes,I had a right
to know. For it was I who brought Major
to the dukes apartments at the
castle, because I knew there was a plot
against his highness. But I did not know
1t was a German plot in which Baron Won
Elmur was using Count Sagan. o, you
must be on your guard against them!"
"Who has been frightening you with all
this nonsense?" asked Selpdorf, with cold
suspicion.
you don't understand me! Father, 1
how Captain Colendorp died. saw
struggle and his fall over the cliff.
Then 1 guessed his highness was in dan
ger. and I went to warn him. Captain
Hollywood, tell my father Of Count Sagan's
visit to the dukes rooms in the middle of
the night with Baron Won Elmur. I've,
Isolde and I-heard the shots. You do not
know 1t, but there was a plot. Your life
is not safe. Captain Rallywood is right:
no life that stands in Count Sagan's way
is safe! And you on whom the state de-
pends-you who alone can uphold her lib
erty-you are the first they will try to de-
stroy! He hates you, else why should he
try to kill me?"
She was clinging to his arm.
ITO kill you? If I thought that was
true-if / could believe he meant to injure
YOU"
The chancellor raised his eyes. At this
Observation-Disclosures was superb. He
had an air OF sagacious decision, an air of
holding a master stroke in reserve, whereas
he was in reality merely retiring to a
negative position to wait upon events.
Tell me the story" he said.
There is nothing further to tell" replied
Railywood. "Mademoiselle has given you
the main facts. But for her Nassau would
today be a province Of Germany, in fact IL
rot in name"
81 have been misinformed and deceived
in an incomprehensible manner" the chan
cellor said emphatically. There was still
the matter of Counsellor's dispatches. Moth
ing was now to be gained by keeping them,
whereas, by giving them back to the old
diplomatist, Nassau was sure to profit for
the time at least. The difficulty was to get
rid of the packet without loss Of prestige to
himself. Now as to Major Counsellor's
dispatches" he added doubtfully.
You will send them back to him." said
Valerie eagerly.
"You cannot see the difficulty OF my posi-
finn - Tho nhapnallpr laid bto hand ,,non