The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1900-04-18
The Stolen Prince
BY Henriette Beauchamps.
A Story Of Conspirator Who Over
reached Himself.

#o*o*o*o*oxo*o*o*o*o*o#oxo,
A bright red velvet carpet was unrolle,
and spread upon the platform at the rail
way station and so arranged as to fette
the attention of the moving crowd.
The boots of the inspectors were polish
ed to almost an unnatural degree O
brightness, while the faces of the littl,
lampighters were, taking them altogeth
er. what one might call clean.
In other words, Charing Cross outdit
itself today.
whats up?" asked one railway EN-
ployee of another.
Royalty" he answered shortly-"roy
atty going on the continent. l wish
could go somewhere" he muttered dis
couragedly.
The first speaker whstled a patriotic
air and looked critically as lie shrugged
his shoulders.
Il will only hope" said he, "that the
same thing doesn't occur as that which
happened to young prince who came
over to England recently. Did you hear
about it?"
II never hear anything" answered the
other employee i'll humoredly. II have
more to do than to listen to such gossip"
/ but will tell you now if you will
hear me-" replied the other not at all dis
heartened by his friends brusqueness.
30, drawing closer to his companion, he
related the following story:
One day carriage stopped in front Of
the station in good season for the sched-
ulcd train. This was Immediately follow
ed by another in which was represents
tive Of the embassy.
The young prince who was expected on
the accommodation train from Dover
wanted to visit London in the strictest
incognito, and it was his most earnest
wish that his arrival be without ceremo-
ny and ostentation.
Directly under the large clock so well
known in Charing Cross station stood
two men in earnest conversation.
You may well call me an old ass IL
this thing falls through, Jim. Why, old
Bob Creamo says it is as sure as il he
had already had 10000 in his pocket"
said the taller one, looking intenty at a
carriage being driven up to the platform.
An aged, clean shaven coachman,
whose coat was somewhat too large for
him, was seated on the box. In the vehi-
Gle was an elegantly dressed young man
with distinguished looking mustache.
That's he. See him on the box. That's
Bob Creamo! Go and say to him that the
prince will undoubtedly be in the first
coach on the train. ! will tell the people
to make way"
What do We get, old fellow. if this
thing isn't a co." remarked the more
pessinistic Jim thoughtfuIly.
Don't you know, Norris? Have you
never taken part in deal like this? l
hardly think anything serious will hap
pen. They have promised not to murder
him."
$50 they say muttered Jim Norris
doubtfully.
"What they will have Is 100000" re-
piled his chum goatingly. go over,
Jim, and look at the time table and see
how long before the train is due"
Norris did as he was bid and returned
and reported that it would he in the sta
ton in FIVE minutes.
Good, said his companion. II will
keep my eye on Bob Creamo. You can
give your attention to the lads own car
rage"
"lf he will only keep away from the
waiting room, our game is wOn." And
to himself, he continued: 1--WE
will follow him in hanson. That's our
plan, isn't it, Jim?'
'That's right, old man."
As both men strolled forward to fulfill
the duties they had undertaken the car
riagc from the embassy was driven to the
end of the platform.
The train steamed over the bridge and
came slowly into the station. From ev-
cry coach streamed the passengers. The
baggage masters rushed with trunks, va
Uses, hathoXes and steamer rugs, hur-
'iedly placing them with their owners in
lansom cabs and four wheelers.
The well dressed young man with the
fierce looking mustache whom Bob
Creamo had driven to the station was
Watching intenty the arrivals. Suddenly,
lat in hand, he approached and address,
ID an aristocratic, youthful looking gen.
leman who had just alighted from one Of
he foremost coaches and who appeared
helpless and confused with the hurry bur.
y Of Charing Cross:
"l'his way, your highness, IL you
please"
Both men walked to the end of the
platform and entered the carriage. The
loor was closed, and Bob Creamo drove
quickly out of Charing Cross station.
The two men who had spoken so ear
testify with one another under the great
lock sprang quickly into hanson and
ollowed the carriage with an expression
f great satisfaction on their faces.
"l'm quite sure saw no prince leave
he train" said the station master a few
later to the attache who came
n the carriage from the embassy.
perhaps he has gone over alone to the
otel," he continued, casting his eye
round the place.
The attache, greatly disturbed, declared
his was not possible, as the prince had
rlegraphed from Dover to meet him.
Ills trunks are in the baggage room"
mid one Of the inspectors, 'but where is
e?"
"He certainly could not fly away" an
wcred the baggage master, with wise
ir.
"Thc hest thing to do" he said, turn.
lg to the attache, "is to inquire at the
otel and, il he's not there, come back at
nce."
The attache, now greatly excited and
ngry, AZ he realized the disappearance