Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-12-08

man. and permit US to enter. We are
! drenched and half famished."
There was something in the Norwegian
| tone which treasured the porter, and he
FASTENED to comply. Another man took
their horses and led them away In the
darkness, and the travellers were speedily
shown into the warm and dry quarters ad-
joining the gate. They were given warm
place near the fire and pitcher of muiled
beer, seasoned with pepper, was set before
them.
1t was evident that Thorgensen had pro-
yided himself for this emergency, for, nav
| ing questioned the porter concerning the
name of his master, he gave MIN, instead
/ OF a card letter to deliver Whatever II
| containpd-and even Craddock mad Deeh'
until that moment unaware of its existence
it was potent, for they We're presently eS-
corted to the lodge, where they were mace
welcome with thorough German hosp!tallty
| Their saddle bags were brought to them,
| go that by the time their host sent Vord
! that he was ready to receive them, early
all the evidences Of the night Journey
through the forest and the storm had peen
removed. - .,. h. 7
Wnen they entered the library. which had
more of the appearance Of a sportsman
arsenal than place fog reading ana stuus'
| they found themselves in the presence OF
man whose stature was almost as great as
Thnr's Past middle age, rugged ana Dig
| he was the typical German lord, VINO gov,
| erns principalities with almost leudal
RIGHTS who prefers the vastneSS OF his for-
| es|s and the solitude of his mountains to
| the most brilliant court of Europe, and VINO
| can be induced to leave it only by the per
| emDtory summons Of his master, the en-
peror :, ,,
advancing with extended hand. and greet
| ing first one and then the other. lie spoke
| in his own language. May ASK when
| Of you was the bearer Of this letter from
Stockholm
| ~ am Herr Thor" replied the Norwegian.
This gentleman is Mr.. Craddock, an Amer
| lean. We are travelling companions. hap
| pened. your highness. to mention 10 your
cousin in Stockholm that l. intended to
| travel this way and he begged me to call
upon you. but 1 did not think to appear In
| the night and in storm. We had lost our
way utterly, and 1t was only after your
| porter had admitted us that discovered at
| whose home l had claimed hospitality.
| You are welcome, gentlemen; twice well
| come, since you come from my friend and
| cousin. Your baggage. l suppose, Is not far
| away. In the morning l will send for It
In the meantime l will be glad to supply
your needs. Ana now. II you Will join me
at the table-there are several gentlemen
| present; the ladies have retired-1 will see
| that one want-for you must be very hum
gry-is supplied without delay. Do not
mind your appearance, l beg. During the
hunting season we put aside all unneces-
, sary observances Of dress
The following morning was glad with
as though it were bejeweled. Craddock had
asked only one question concerning their
reception at the lodge, and that with some
sternness. He had demanded to know If
| the letter which had secured them such a
! cordial welcome was authentic, and the
Norwegian replied
THE letter Is genuine. 1t was written
by a crown prince, and was his own sug-
geston, not mine. For the present let that
suffice"
Their host was bluff hearty and thor
oughly cordial. In the honesty OF his own
nature he had not suspicion that these
men were not what they seemed: and In
| deed they were not otherwise. He made
| them wholly welcome, and they were pre-
scented to the other guests without comment
or reservation. The ladies they did not en-
counter until evening, and then the prin-
cess was not present. Craddock watched
| Thor narrowly. but he could not discover
one sign of Impotence or doubt. The face
| of the Norwegian was as placid and as full
| of confidence as it ever had been.
| On the morning of the second day, when
| the hunting party left the lodge, Thor was
| not among those who comprised 1t. Grad
| dock. however. made his excuses, for he
noticed that the princess was also absent.
| Thor had said nothing to him of his deter
| mination to absent himself from the hunt
| that day. but the American could be ready
| tongued when occasion required, and he in
| vented satisfactory excuse; so the party
| went on Its way, and the only guests who
| were left behind we've Thor, the Norwegian.
| and Carlotta-or Charlotte-a princess OF
| Denmark.
An hour after the departure Of the merry
hunters the tall figure Of Thor appeared
among the tamaracks and spruces near the
/ house. and presently from their depths
| came the weird yodel cry which once heard
l from the throat of the Norwegian would