Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-01-23

But lc1dt, then, of 1ne7" asked Nine. dtt
Barry.
trip. l shall be surprised to see the
prince at home SO soon. You, on the
other hand, array yourselves in good
clothing and go at once to my castle
on the edge of the Green forest and
announce yourselves as my guests, in
vited from Paris. am well known in
all parts of Deneslia and cannot be
seen plotting with interiors. AS my
guests you can go and come at will and
in disguise carry our plans to execu-
ton"
"Goodw said VaIdal. "Your castle
on the Green forest, you told me, lies
due north from Ontro, the border
town."
Eyes. Any one can tell you"
So Casparin left his hired assassins
and went on to Deneslia. They, in
| obedience to his commands, followed
him there, but little less rapidly.
They were well supplied with cloth
ing. purchased at the large cities on
the way.
There was as yet no completed rail-
road within the limits Of Deneslia.
Under the rule Of the prince such i'm
provements were rapidly being added
to the public wealth.
At that time Ontro, situated just
within the border, was the terminus of
new line from German centers.
Ontro, like small border towns in al.
most any country, was more or less
lawless. Travellers rarely visited it.
There were other gateways to Denes-
liza. Those who knew best rather shun-
ned the little town of Ontro.
The houses were few and scattering.
Prosperity seemed to be somewhat of
stranger.
There was but one inn and that far
from imposing. Still they were hun
CRY, and there was no diligence beyond
Ontro before the following morning.
| They went to the inn. They had
been the only passengers in the train
and were therefore the only new
guests at the inn.
They were received with a great
show Of eager hospitality. They drank
and ate and felt refreshed.
To pass away the time they dawdled
in room opening off the little public
drawing room. This was q gaming
room, and four men were playing at a
huge uncouth billiard table.
Vandal and his companions stood
looking at the game.
"Well," said one Of the players afte,
a time, 'this Is thirsty business
Have some good beer hreught-do."
He spoke in the German tongue
though scarcely what would be heard
in Berlin.
A bell was rung, and in short time
a serving girl came in and took the
order.
ITO the health Of the good haus.
frau" they said and drank the toast.
AS the waitress passed out the eyes
Of vandal followed her He suddenly
nudged Reber and moved toward the
door.
In the poorly furnished little draw.
ing room a tall woman sat at table
with her head bowed in her hands
She was flashily dressed for such a
place.
THAT is our manv' whispered Van
dial to Reber. ''He has heard oul
voices and hides his head. / know thai
gown. gave it to Nine. du Barry. All
1t is the very same, for the patterns OF
the flowers are in my memory. Hush
I will make sure"
Reber and Robello. the latter OF
whom did not hear the conversation
stood in the doorway while Vandal
walked to the woman.
Madame, make me happy with q
look at your face" he said, with a
laugh, and, in manner scarcely as
polite as his words, he grasped hel
hair and bent back her head SO as to
see her face.
A truly feminine screech came from
her, and she called name. In an in.
slant the astonished Vandal was or
the floor, with the four billiard play.
ers on top Of him. pounding him, kick
ing him and stabbing him in the stom
ach with their cues.
'Scoundrel!' yelled one. 'French
dogv'
Call Robardp' shouted another
Here is rascal from France who in
suits the hausfraum
And while Vandal was being well
thumped Reber and Robello, never
very brave, fed from the place into ths
dark and unknown street.