The Princeton union., 1900-12-06
May I ask one

you, to interrupt you. May ask one
word? You escaped p
"As you see, duchess uninjured, too,
except for the discomfort and rough
handling. You shall hear the whole
story some day"
81 would gladly have spared you this.
suffering from the very first. II tried
hard, did indeed, even that first night
in the opera box, and afterward
would have warned you, but dared
| not be more precise. Again, in that
terrible house was on your side"
Indeed, duchess" broke in Frida.
| ''you have made us your friends. We
are grateful, and we will show it yet,
hope"
"But why are you here" went on
the other woman impatiently. "How
did you come? have never seen you
during the voyage nor have the-the
others It is fortunate. They would
certainly try to do you an injury"
"They have done so aIready-an in
Jury that may be irreparable. They
have robbed me-
eyes, yes. that know" she said,
''but it will be small matter, and
you would have your redress. You
could protect yourself against worse,
now you are free, if you were only
careful. I cannot think why you
should risk so much now. You are
within their reach again."
I laughed. '"That has never weigh
ed with me, nor do I care for the mon
ey. 1t is my honor that is at stake,
duchess. l must recover certain pa
pers that you-your people have stolen
or shall be eternally disgraced."
"Papers? Are they yours? 1 have
heard of them. State papers, belong
ing to your government and worth a
fortune to any one who will give them
to ours. You are concerned?' -
"Closely. I would give large SUM
any sum-to get them back
II need no bribes, Captain Wood"
She spoke with dignity. "You cannot
mean to offer me money surely! I
have not fallen so low as that, I hope.>
I am ready to make restitution. It is
the least I can do for you. You shall
have the papers. will fetch them"
"You are a good woman. I feel for
you, indeed l do" Frida said as she
staid her for a moment with gesture
as though to kiss her, but the duchess
brushed past and hurried away.
eyes, she is a good woman" 1 re-
peated. echoing Frida. only to find that
the remark was not exactly pleasing to
her.
81 do not quite see why she is so
much interested in you, and l shall
want to know more about that"
But why need I set down in words
the gleeful hadinage of a pair of silly
lovers? And it was ended abruptly
when the duchess returned.
"Here, take them, if they are yours.
leave that to your honor. I knew
where he kept them. and have secur-
ed them-no matter how"
single glance under the nearest
electric light satisfied me that these
were the missing papers. They were
still in their official Jacket" broad
band of bright green paper. on which
was printed the label. "Strictly conf
dential.'
''Be on your guard, l implore you,"
she went on. There may be trouble
about them. If your identity is discov-
cred, they will suspect you, and it will
be another reason to attack you. Put
them by. Lock them up securely"
LET me have them," interposed
Frlda. NO one would think of mixing
me up with the business, and I'm not
afraid of anything they can do to me-"
"You shall run no such risk, Frida,"
I protested. 1T is entirely my affair.
I came for them, I have got them, and
l will keep them against, all comers.
In the last resort l would throw them
overheard. They are Of no actual val
ue except in the wrong hands. We
have copies of them.''
1t was so settled. and the party broke
up. l was the last to leave the stern,
having given my dear girl rendez-
vous in the same place at the same
time the next evening. But as pass
ed along the now deserted deck, max
ing for the companion ladder that led
to my second class quarters, I was
met by a quartermaster in the full
light Of an electric lamp, who hailed
me roughly.
Hello. my hearty! Vast heaving
and run alongside. What brings you