The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1901-12-13

! "
"Hc has not nOUed''
have a fine hunt for the murderers.
But this will simply be another great
mystery for Paris to ponder over.
These police! They are but cheap fools
at best"
Let's take look at this one," said
another voice. II have somehow come
to consider this fellow a dangerous
enemy. He seems at least to care lit
tie for life. 1t is the man who is will
ing to die who lives through every
thing"
bah! He has fallen into difficulties
at every step. Why, even Vandals lit
tie act was attributed to him."
Eyes, but he was caught in the very
house with the corpse of NJ. de Bull
lion."
''It was most fortunate circum-
stance that Vandal gave him the
purse"
Buckford's breath came fast now.
These words meant much to him. They
proved that the man who had given
him the purse, the man who had had
most to do apparently with the plot
against the prince, was the man who
killed NJ. de Bullion.
"Well," said the other, "Vandal Is q
Partisan and knows a thing or two"
The footsteps of the two speakers
were now heard close to the little door.
Buckford, remembering the remark,
Lets take look at this one," lay
down ON the floor and assumed posi-
tion nearly like that in which he had
before been lying.
A key sounded in the lock, and the
door opened.
"Ie has not moved"
No one came near him. One glance
sufficed to prove to the two men that
he had been lying in that position since
he had been brought to the room.
The door was again shut and the lock
clicked.
Buckford slowly opened his eyes to
make sure no one had remained in his
his feet and applied his ear at the key
hole again.
His heart was heavy, for he realized
now that Monroe had been killed. This
brought vividly to his mind the danger
in which he stood, and his nerves be-
came stronger as he drew himself to-
gether and resolved to combat this
and energy he possessed.
He heard the voices again.
"What time did his highness say he
would be here!" asked one.
"Oh, you cannot limit his highness to
moment. Casparin is the most un-
certain of men. But he will be here
soon, no doubt"
So there was another highness in the
game. Buckford was using his ears
and brains now as he had never used
them before.
This Casparin, whom they called his
highness, could not be the Prince of
Deneslia, against whom they had plot
ted
Monroe had told him who the Prince
Of Deneslia was. He had described the
beauty of the Princess Marie Alexia.
Buckford was more than ever resolved
to defeat the plot against them.
1T is unfortunate that VandCl was
shot," said one of the voices "That
| American did some damage before we
got him."
"Yes, but it was lucky he did not kill
Vandal. The other did not matter so
much"
Good" said Buckford to himself.
II am glad l killed one. wish l had
killed Vandal. may have another
crack at him yet"
Another step was heard outside and
then another.
Buckford now turned his head to get
peep through the accommodating
keyhole.
He saw but a small portion of the
outer room. 1t was well furnished,
had table and chairs in the center,
and in the chairs sat two men. One
of these was the man he had shot,
Vandal, and the other was one of the
two who had been previously talking
In another portion of the room, hid
den from Buckford's sight, were two
more, one who had been there before
and one newcomer.
Wel, SAID voice, our game has
been spoiled in Paris. That dashed
American by his meddling has aroused
the police. We cannot do thing now
until the prince leaves Paris" The
voice sounded familiar to Buckford.
The person speaking was the pretend
ed agent of police.
'Then your highness has not given
up the idea?" said the voice of Vandal.
"Given it upT