The San Francisco call., 1901-11-17
MEIGEIT.S STONE & GO.

at my elbow and the COunteSS-pretty as
a picture-back of her, all eyes, both OF
'em; and there was the old gray-haired
lady, the Countess HalfOnt, and half
dozen shfvering maids. with men galore.
DanglOss and the Count and lot OF ser
vants-a great and increasing crowd. The
captain of the guards. a young fellow
named Quinnox. as I heard him called,
came in. worried and Inundated / fancy
he was afraid he'd lose his job. You see,
it was this way: Old DangIoss has had
a man watching US all day. Think Of it!
Shadowing US like a couple of thieves.
This fellow traced us to the castle gate,
and then ran back for reinfOrcements,
confident that were there to rob. In
twenty minutes he had squad OF officers
at the gate. the chief trailing along be-
hind. They found the pie of tools we had
left there. and later the other chap in
the arbor. A couple of guards came
charging up to learn the cause Of the COM
motion. and the whole crew sailed into
the castle, arriving Just in time Well,
Just as soon as told them the full story
of the plot. old Caspar. the chief and the
captain held short consultation. the re-
suit Of which 1 can tell in mighty few
words. At o'clock they took the whole
gang of prisoners down in the ravine and
shot them The mounted guards are still
looking for the two Viennese who left
with the carriage They escaped. About
an hour after you were hurt you were
carried over here and laid on this COUCH
! want to tell you. Mr.. LOrry you are the
most interesting object that ever found
its way into a royal household. They have
been hanging over you as If you were a
newborn baby and everybody's charmed
because you are a boy and are going to
live. AS an adventure this has been a
Tecord-brealxer. my son! We are cocks OF
the walk!
st, T.s-
thUsiasm.
saved my life and probably yours. I'll
not allow you or anybody to give me a
bit of the glory" he said, pressing the
others hand.
20. that's ronsense. Anybody could
have rushed in as / did I was only cap
ping the climax you had prepared-mere-
ly a timely arrival. as the novels say.
There is little of the credit due me, OF
course, and I'll take it gracefully but T
only come in as an accessory. a sort OF
bushwhacker who had only to do the
shoot, slap-bang work and close the act
You did the hero's work. But what do
you think of the way they hand out JUS
ticc over here? All but two of 'em
dead''
Whose plan was it to kill those men,
cried Lorry. suddenly sitting upright.
''Everybody's. 7 fancy. They didn't
consult me. though. come to think of il.
All. here is her Highncsst'
The Princess and Aunt Yvonne were at
his side again. while Count Caspar was
coming rapidly toward them.
You must not sit up. Mr.. Lorry.' be-
gan the Princes, but he was crying:
Did they make confession Harry?
II don't know. Did they. Unc-Count
Halfont? Did they confess? Great heav-
ems. I never thought of that before"
What was there to confess?" asked
the Count taxing Lorry's hand kindly.
They were caught in the act My dear
sir. they were not even tried.
'I thought your Police Chief was suen
a shrewd man." cried Lorry. angrily.
whats that?' asked a grur voice. an1
Baron Dangloss was a member Of tho
party, red and painting.
Don't you know you should not have
killed those men?" demanded Lorry.
They surveyed him in amazement. except
Anguish. who had buried his face in his
hands dejectedly.
''And. sir. I'd like to know why not?'
clustered Dangloss.
And sir. I'd like to know, since yoJ
have shot the only beings earth who
knew the man that hired them, how in
the name of your alleged justice you are
going to apprehend him?" said Lorry.
sinking back to his pillow. exhausted
No reserve could hide the consterna-
tion embarrassment and shame that over
whelmed very worthy but very impet-
uous nobleman, Baron Jasto Dangloss,
Chief of Police in Edelweiss- He could
only sputter his excuses and withdraw,
swearing to catch the arch-conspirator
or to die in the attempt.
Not a soul in the castle, not q being In
all Graustark could offer the faintest clew
to the identity of the man or explain his
motive. No one knew a Michael who
might have been inadvertently addressed
as your possible "highness.'' The great
est wonder reigned; vexation, uneasiness
and perplexity existed everywhere.
Standing there with her head on her
aunt's shoulder. her face grave and
troubled. the Princess asked:
''Why should they seek to abduct met
Was it to imprison or to kin me? Oh,
my people? God knows have done all
that 1 can. could have done no more.
Is 1t a conspiracy to force me from the
throne? Who can be so cruel?'
md no one could answer. They could
simply offer words OF comfort and prom
iseS of protection. Later in the day Kruff
Dangloss marched in and apologized to
the Americans for his suspicious Concern
ing them, tmploring their assistance IN
running down the chief villain. And "a
the hours went by Count Halfont came
in. and. sitting beside Grenfau. be<red
deception that had been practiced IN The
United States. He explained the neces-
sity for travelling incognito at that time.
and Lorry forgave him, magnanimousIvi
After which the Count entered a plea for
ner Hsnness, VINO had expressed contr.-'
uon and wished to be absolved.
M-LovE IN A CASTLE
AS the days wore on Lorry grew trrt-
saoie ana restless. He could not bring
himself into full touch with the situation
Notwithstanding Harry's frequent and
graphic recollections OF incidents that had
occurred and that had led to their pres
ent condition Their luncheon was served
In the Counts room. as 1t was fnadvfsahla
Ior the injured man to go to the dining
room until ne was stronger. The court
physician assured him that he would ba
incapacitated for several days, but that
IN very short time his wound would
lose the power to annoy him in the Ieast
Inc Count and Countess Halfont An