The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1901-11-10

III
1T is. gentlemen. OF what service can
/ be to Messieurs Lorry and Anguish ~
responded the grim little chief, politely
rising from beside his desk. The visitors
looked at one another in surprise.
"If he knows our names on such short
notice. he'll certainly know the Guggen-
slockers," said Anguish to his friend. in
English.
"Ah. you are looking for some one
named Guggenslocker?" asked the chief,
smiling broadly and speaking excellent
English. You must not be surprised gen.
tlemen. | speak many languages. heard
last night that you were inquiring about
one Caspar GuggensloCker, and have,
racked my brain, searched my books,
questioned my officers. and 1 am sorry to
inform you that there is no such person
in Edelweiss."
81 was so well assured of it, Baron Dan
gloss" Lorry said.
The name is totally unknown to me,
sir May l ask why YOU are searching
for him?''
Certainly I met Mr. Guggenslocker,
his wife and his niece last spring in the
United States. They invited me to come
and see them IL ever happened to be In
this part of the world. AS my friend and
! were near here l undertook to avail
myself of their invitation"
And they said they lived in Edelweiss,
Graustark?'
They did, and III humbly confess did
not know much of the principahty of
Graustark."
That is certainly complimentary, but,
then. we are a little out of the beaten
path, you are pardonable. l was at
first under the impression that you were
American detectives with extradition
papers for criminals bearing the name
you mention"
OH gasped Anguish. We couldn't
find ourselves If we should be separated,
captain"
The grizzly bearded captain laughed
lightly with them. and then asked Lorry
if he would object to giving him the full
story Of his acquaintanceship with the
alleged Graustarkians. The beN!ilGeIed
and disheartened American promptly told
all he knew about them, ON ting certain
tender details, of course. As ne proceeded
the Chief grew more and more interested,
and, when at last Lorry came to :he
descril ton of the strange trio, he gave
sudden start, exposed a queer little
smile for second or so and then was
sphinNiike as Before. The ever vigilant
Anguish observed the involuntary start
and smile, quick as the Chief had been
TO recover himself, and felt thrill of
triumph. To his anger and Impotence.
however, the old orlcer calmly shook his
head at the end OF the narrative and an
nounced that he was as much in the dark
as ever.
well, we'll search awhile for our
selves" declared Anguish, stubbornly, not
at al satisfied.
You will be wasting your time" said
the Grief, meaningiy.
We've plenty to waste retorted the
other
After a few moments hey departed.
Baron DangloSs accompanying them to
the gate and assuring them that he and
his men always would be at their COM
mand. His nation admired the American
people, he warmly declared.
THAT old codger knows our people and
III bet thousand on it," said Harry
angrily, when they had gone some little
distance down the street. Then he told of
the queer exposure Dangloss had unwil-
tingly made. Lorry. more excited than he
cared to show, agreed that there was
something very suspicious about this new
discovery.
They walked about the quaint town for
an hour or two. examining the buildings,
the people and the soldiery with deep
interest. From the head of the main
street, Castle Avenue, they could plainly
see the royal palace, nearly a mile away.
Its towers and turrets, gray and gaunt
ran up among the green treetops and
were outlined plainly against the yellow
hAiiS- SOuulitSS HOuStS SluuueO the steep
mountain slope, and many people were
discerned walking and riding along the
narrow, ledgelike streets which wound
toward the summit, far up in the clouds.
Clearly and distinctly could be seen the
grim monastery, perched at the very
pinnacle of the mountain, several miles
away. Up there it looked bleak and cold
and uninviting, in great contrast to the
loneliness and warmth of the valley.
Down below the U1OiSf and
trees were approaching the stage wherv
yellow and red tints mingled with the
rich green, flowers were blooming, the
land was redolent of the sweet fragrance
Of autumn, the atmosphere warm, clear
and invigorating. 1t was paradise sur
mounted by desolation, drear and deaden-
ing.
Wherever the tall, distinguished Ameri-
cans walked they formed the center OF
observation and were the cause of COM
ment that bore unmistakable signs Of
admiration. They bowed pleasantly to
many of those who passed them and
ceived in return gracious and profound
recognition. Military men saluted courte-
ously; the women stared modestly and
prettily-perhaps GENEROUSLY; the mer-
chants and citizens In general bowed and
smiled a welcome that could not have
been heartier. The strangers remarked
the absence of vehicles on the main
streets. Inere were pack mules ana
horses, human carriers-both male and
female-but during the entire morning
they saw not more than SIX or eight car
riages. Vehicles were used solely by the
quality and az a means of transportation
for their persons only. Everybody, with
the few exceptions mentioned, walked or
rode horseback The two friends were
delighted with the place, and Anguish
advocated sojourn Of several weeks,
even though they did not find the Gug-
genslockers, his object being to secure
photographs and sketches OF the pictur-
esque people and the strange scenery, and
to idle away some hours upon the gilt
terIng boulevards. Grenfall, since he was
in the project so deeply, was so nearly
reconciled as to be exhilarated by the
plan. They decided to visit the royal
grounds in the afternoon, providing there
was no prohibition, reserying a ride up
the steep for the next day. A policeman
eTho spoke German fairly well told them
that they could enter the palace park if
they obtained a signed order from the
chief steward, who might be found at any
time in his home near the gates.
They were strolling leisurely toward the
hotel, for the moment forgetting their
nuasf I'm this strange si1nnv land u,hat,