Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1899-01-05


sible that that peerless creature should
be my bride? l was forced to rise and
walk a few steps up and down the
room before 1 could regain my COM
posture. 1t was then that I noticed for
the first time that Raoul had quietly
Slipped out of the apartment. His mis-
sion had been fulfilled, his part HAD
been played, when he brought Won
Mltschka and me together.
"What l propose" said the Nihilist,
when l had resumed my seat, sis SIM
ply this: That you should, in the first
place, pay a visit to the Prince, who is
in our custody. You would, of course,
give your solemn promise not to reveal
by so much as hint the place or the
manner of his confinement, and must
ask you to submit quietly to all the
precautions my companions may think
il necessary to take to prevent your be-
traying us. though, personally, l am
convinced that you are entirely to be
trusted. Having seen the Prince, l
propose-or rather. 1 advise you, for
the question is one solely for your own
dis(cretion-not to build your hopes up
on the Princes gratitude. but make a
bargain with him beforehand.
II think l have heard it said, Put
not your trust in princess and l think
the maxim is worth remembering. 1
advise that you should say to the
Prince. L love your daughter. Swear
that it she agrees to marry me, you
will consent to our union, and l will
procure your liberty. If you refuse,
YOU will i've and die where you are
That, if l am not much mistaken, will
bring the man to his senses"
The proposal was revolving to me-;
but 1 took care to conceal my senti-
ments about it, for 1 felt that had
not vet got to the bottom Of Won
Mitschka's scheme.
Surprising were to do this" said,
Il don't see how you woul dbe bene-
flied. What is it to you whether win
the Princess Irene or not?"
"Of course we should expect you to
do something for us as the price of the
Princes ransom. There is service"
"Ah, thought so"'
Certainly. You forget tina tt am
not alone in this business. am speak
ing solely as the mouthpiece Of the
Committee'
"Well-go on
Il cannot go further until it is known
whether the Prince will agree to this
arrangement l have suggested
You cannot give me an idea of the
nature OF the service you require of
me?'
Certainly not. That is part of our
secret
Il may tell you at once" said I. after
a moments pause, ''that if it is to COM
nit a murder, or anything of that
kind"
at is not anything of that kind in
te1rupted Won Mitschka. flush rising
to his thin face. ''If we decreed that
any particular person should suffer
the capital sentence-and l thought
YOU understood that it is no longer
part Of our policy to put even the
guilty to death-we could provide
scores Of willing hands to execute the
decree without troubling YOU"
why, then. do you come to me?'
Because you are the only person in
the world, probably-at all events, the
only man we know of-who can render
us this particular service"
and it is not a crime? 1t is danger
GUS suppose?'
You ask too many questions. 1t is
not crime-Or it is a crime, according
as you regard it. And it would be de-
reiving you if I We're to say that it is
! not dangerous"
[ took another turn up and down the
room.
"Supposing | We're to agree to your
proposal what would be the first step
| must take?'
You would put yourself at the dis
posal Of the committee for a certain
time--it might be as long as a couple Of
months. You would be, in the mean
time be brought face to face with
Prince Kropenski, and have an oppor-
tunity of speaking to him alone. You
would tell him that you might possibly
procure his release on condition that
you took him for a son-in-law. If he
consents-and I fancy there is not
much doubt about that-we would dis
close to you the nature of the service
we demand Of you, and you would, Of
course. have perfect liberty to say
whether you agreed to purchase the
Princes liberty at that price or not
"And 1 suppose. if I chose to make
no bargain with the Prince, but trust
to his sense of gratitude, or act with
out reference to the future, l may do
sou
We have nothing to do with the ar
engagements you make with the Prince.
Only, I advise you to see him. as the
first step"
''That might be better" said I, for I
thought it would be something to be
able to tell the Princess Irene that l
had seen and spoken with her father,
even if should afterwards find it i'm
possible to go on. "You will give me
some time to make up my mind?"
"Three days, if you wish it."
II do wish it. This is not matter
to be undertaken lightly. How can l
communicate with you?"
Won Mitschka answered at once
showing that he had anticipated the
question. -.
(which room do you occupy in the
Princes house?'
l described it's situation to him, and
it seemed to me, from the ease with
which he followed me, that this sin
gular man was not without some