The San Francisco call., 1901-12-01

the courts hospitaiity and that he would
feel much more comfortable at the hotel;
Anguish looked narrowly at his friend
face but said nothing. He was beginning
LET us walk to the gates. The Count
Will oblige US by instTuGtIng aeer see c8ac fo he
'Allow me to join you in the walk,
ately instructing lackey to send the car,
riage after them. He and Lorry walked
on. together, Anguish lingering oen,n9, mr. o.
mar. That charming and unconventional
piece of nobility promptly foliowed tns
Prime Minister'S example and escorted
the remaining guest to the gate.
last glance at the castle from whlcn love
had banished him< Yetive was standing
on the balcony, looking not at the monas-
tery but at the exile.
She remained there long after the car
riage had passed her gates, bearing tne
americans swiftly over the Wnite castle
avenue and there were tears In ner eyes,
xV-THE BETROTHAL
Harry Anguish was a discreet, forbear-
ing fellow. He did not demand full ex-
PLANTATION of his friend. There was enough
Natural wit In his merry head to- see that
was something that would not admit OF
discussion, even by confidential friends.
He shrewdly formed his own conclusions
and held his peace. Nor did he betray
surprise when Lorry Informed him, in an
swer to a question. that he intended to
remain in Edelweiss for some time, add
likewise if he preferred to return to Paris.
I. But Mr.. Anguish preferred to remain In
Edelweiss. Had not the Countess Dag
mar told him she would always be happy
to see him at the castle. and had he any
reason to renounce It's walls? And SO it
was that they tarried together.
Lorry loitered aimlessly, moodily about
the town, spending gloomy days and
wretched nights. He reasoned that 1t
were wisdom to fly, but force stronger
than reason held him in Edelweiss. He
yeEtured several times to the castle wall,
but turned back resoIutely. There was
hope in his breast that she might send for
him; there was, at least, the possibility
Of seeing her should she ride through the
streets. Anguish, on the other hand. yis-
tied the castle daily. He spent hours with
rne pre1ty countess unarsmday9d 9y r 5ne
fame, and he was ever persistent. light
hearted and gay. He brought to Lorrys
cars all that he could learn of the Prin-
cess. Several times he had seen her and
lac spoken with her. She inquired casu-
ally after the health of his friend. but
nothing more. From the Countess he
certained that her Majesty was sleeping
soundly eating heartily and apparently
enjoying the best Of spirits-information
decidedly irritating to the one who re-
They had been at the hotel for over a
week when one afternoon Anguish rushed
into the room out OF breath and scarcely
whats up?" cried Lorry. HAS the
: Countess sacked you?"
mot on your coin! But something is up,
and | am it's dIscoverer. You remember
what you said about suspecting Prince
Gabriel of being the chief rascal in the
abduction job? Well. my boy. am now
willing to stake my life that ne is the
man" The ncws-bearer sat down on the
edge of the bed and drew the first long
breath he had had in .. long time; -
other, Sil interest.
- Heard him talking just now / didn't
knew who the fellow was at first, hut
soldiers as L passed. As soon as L heard
his voice / knew he was Michael. Tnere
isn't any question about ii, LOFTY. ,.EI
. positive He did not observe me. but
Suppose by this time ne has learned tnat
his little Job was frustrated by tSo
Americans who heard the plot near the
castle gates He has nerve 10 come mere,
hasn't ne!''
..If he is guilty. yes. Still. he may feel
secure because he is a POWERFUL prince
and able 10 resent any accusation s alton with a
II lett him there. Come on Well go.
down and you can see for yourself"
They hurried 10 the corridor. which was
swai ming with men in strange uniforms
There were a few GraustarK officers, out
the majority of the buzzing conversation
alists were dressed in a rich gray uhi-
form. -
who are these strangers?" asked
+ Lorry.
.'oh. forgot to tell you. Prince Lor-
enz IL also here and these gray fellows
are a part OF his retinue5 Lorenz has gone
on to the castle. What's the natter:
Lorry had turned pale and was reaching
for the wall with unsteady hand
.'He has come for his answer" he said.
slowly. painfully.
That's right! I hadn't thought of
that / hope she turns him down. But
there's Gabriel over yonder. See those
three fellows in blue? The middle one Is
the Prince
stood several men, gray and blue. The
man designated as Gabriel was In the
center. talking gayly and somewhat loud
ly, putting at cigarette between sen
tences He was not tall. but he was
strongly and compactly built HIS nelr
and cropped beard were as black as coal,
his ewes wide, black and lined. 1t was
pleasure-worn face, and Lorry shuddered
as he thought of the Princess IN ire
power of this evil-look;ng wretch. They
ieisurely made their way 10 spot near
The takers. There Is no mistaking the
voice Prince Gabriel and Michael Were
one and the same, beyond all doubt. Bht
how to prove 1t to the satisfaction Of
others?
!; Skepticism would follow any attempt to
proclaim the Prince guilty btAause his
voice sounded like that of the chief con-
spirator In a matter where whole ma
tions were concerned the gravest i'm
portance would be attached to the accu-
sation OF a ruler. Satisfying themselves
as to the identity of that peculiar voice.
the friends passed through to the piazza
.What's to be done?' asked Anguish.
boiling over with excitement.
I'VE must go to Baron Qangloss. tell
him of our positive discovery, and then
consult Count Halfont.
And the Princess Yetive. of course"
'Yes, 1 suppose So. said Lorry. hicking
the ashes from his cigar with a finger
that was now steady. He was serving the
Princess again.
They hurried to the Tower, and were
soon in the presence of the fierce little
chicf of police. Lorry had spent many
hours with Dangloss OF late, and they had
become friends. His grim old face blanch-
ed perceptibly as he heard the assertions
OF the young men. He shook his head
despairingly.
"It may be as YOU say, gentlemen. but
I am afraid we can do nothing. To charge
a Prince with such a crime and on sucn
evidence would be madness. am oA your
belief, however. Prince Gabriel Is the
man have suspected. Now I am con-
vinced Before we can do anything In
such grave matter 1t will be necessary
to consult the Princess and her Ministers.
In case we conclude to accuse the Prince
of Dawsbergen. 1t must be after careful
and judicious thought. There are many