The Elbert County tribune., 1902-08-21

what she seemed. Hank PeterhoR and
his miserable warningsl
So he trusted blindly.
IL there was pit. he would fall into
II, headlong. for love had already
blinded him.
Or was the Russian bear still on
guard?
Could the hotel be surrounded by
his emissaries. ready to entrap the
wonderful adventures?
Having decided to smoke weed and
take a look around ere retiring to his
bunk, Charlie lighted up and saunter-
ed toward the open door leading to the
street
When he stepped out of the hotel
door. he was astonished to discover
little knots of men, dressed in the
well-known uniform OF the Antwerp
gendarmes. standing near the Hotel de
la Paix.
Then It burst upon him that he had
not placed enough Significance upon
what the baron had conflded TO him.
This did not mean the mere arrest OF
a clever adventures, charged with no
specific crime save that OF enslaving
men of rank, and compelling them.
through her witchery, to contribute
from their wealth toward her regal
support 1t stood for something
grander, something that might yet
shake greater part of Europe with a
mighty convulsion. since the conspir-
acy In which the Countess Isolde was
connected concerned more than one
Imperial throne.
Charlie forgot that he had been
sleepy.
His eyes were never brighter than
now.
1t seemed that the countess had nm
ally made a stupendous bllnder. and
Peterhoff's hour pf triumph was at
hand.
1t would mark an epoch in the lives
of many prominent men in Europe
when Isolde Brabant vanished behind
the walls of military fortress.
Some who had been In the tolls
would breathe easy for the first time
in many moons. and drink a bumper
to her long residence in her new and
exclusive palace.
So Charlie watched and waited. deep
in reflection.
When his cigar was about half con-
sumed. he thought he would saunter
down the street short distance. to
see what effect. II any. his appearance
might have upon the officers on guard.
The result was really more than he
had anticipated.
He had uot ppua mora thop dnzau
PAGES before, without the least warn
ing. he felt rough hand laid roughly
upon his arm.
AS he turned to see what was want
ed, second hand gripped his other
arm.
A bended face looked into his own.
"Messieurs. l am afraid you" he
began.
"Siiencel"
"Have made little mistake
SILENCE on your life," was hissed.
He saw frowning pistols.
1t was evident that the officers
meant business.
Charlie began to grow little indig-
nant.
"See here, send for the baronl" he
insisted.
HE is engaged
But he is my friend-he will be
angry with you for making so ridicu-
lous a blunder."
so. But we carry out his orders
Now, not word more. mynherr"
"Confound-"
DO you hear? Not one word. on
your life!"
Charlie shrugged his shoulders.
All. a whistlel-eyidently signal.
The game was about to be called.
Even as he stood there. held fast by
his captors. he saw man enter the
door of the hostelry.
1t was Peterhoff.
Another and another followed. until
Charlie had counted a round dozen.
At the same time there was a
stretching of lines in the street Sig
nails passed from mouth to mouth.
and Charlie understood that the we'll
known Hotel de la Paix was in the
center of a strong Gordon of officers,
through which escape was impossible
Alas. for the countessl 1t was her
hour of dooml
He listened. swayed by contending
emotions.
Somehow Airline was in his mind.
Perhaps there might be fight.
Some of those who would be found
in the society of Isolde Brabant were
desperate men. connected with an
archists and nihilists, sworn to re-
duce society in Europe to one dead
level
They might take their lives in their
hands and endeavor to give battle.
Still. the awful influence of Peter
hoff's dreaded name was sufficient
under ordinary conditions, to freeze
the fighting blood in the veins of
most men. however brave they might
be.
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