The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-05-17


been more fortunate than he and had
made his escape.
In that case the best thing that could
happen was for Monroe TO confess his
share I'm the plot 10 the police and have
them come TO recapture aim.
Terrible as was the uncertainty OF his
fate in the hands OF the police, his situa-
ton as a captive OF the plotters was
worse.
But would Monroe confess? Would he
betray himself to the police and destroy
his position in Partisan society,"
While Buckford thought out all these
perplexing questions he became suddenly
conscious that voices could be heard
through the wooden partition.
He bent himself 10 bring his ear TO
the keyhole OF the door.
Undoubtedly both Americans are
dead, said one voice THE poor dupe
who did our work so well has been dis
covered in the brewery court and taken
to his home. Well, the police will have
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 dangerous enemy.
He seems at least TO care little for life.
1t is the man who is willing TO die who
lives through everything"
Bah! He has fallen into difficulties
, at every step. Why, even Vandais little
act was attributed TO him"
Yes, but he was caught In the very
house with the corpse of NJ. de Bullion"
1T was most fortunate circumstance
that Vsndal gave him the purse"
Buckfords 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 a
Partisan and knows thing or two"
The footsteps OF the two speakers
were now heard close 10 the little door
Buckford, remembering the remark
Lets take look at this one,' lay
down on the floor and assumed a posi-
ton nearly like that in which he hsd
before been lying.
A key sounded in the lock and the
door opened.
He 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
room. He saw no one and sprang 10 his
feet and applied his ear at the keyhole
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 BROTH
erhood OF crime with all the skill and
energy he possessed.
He heard the voices again.
What time did his hghness say he
would be here?" asked one.
"Oh, you cannot limit his highness TO a
moment Casparin is the most uncertain
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 he the prince OF De-
neslia, against whom they had plotted.
Monroe has told him who the Prince
of Deneslia was. He had described the
beauty of the Princes Marie Alexia.
Buckford was more than ever resolved
to defeat the plot against them.
1T is unfortunate that Vandal was
shot" said one OF the voices. THAT
American did some damage before we
got him"
"Yes, but II was lucky he did not kill
vandal. The other did not matter so
much"
Good" said Buckford to himself. Il
am glad / killed one. l wish / had
killed Vandal. | may have another crack
Another step was heard outside and
then another.
Buckford now turned his head to get
a peep through the accommodating key
hole.
He saw but small portion of the
outer room. IL was we'll furnished, had
a table and chairs i'm the Center, ana
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 a newcomer.
We'll" said a 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 20 Buckford. The per-
son speaking was the pretended agent
of police.
up the idea," said the voice OF Vandal.
"Given IL up?"
a harsh voice followed the words.
did you ever know Casparin Rock
millive TO give up an idea until he had
made IL a success2'
Buckford thrilled again. So this
speaker was Casparin Rockmlllve, The
ineognito OF the Prince OF Deneslia was
the Count Of Rockmillive. They were.
then. relatives OF each other. The plot
against the Prince OF Deneslia was be-
ginning 20 take shape and substance.
Buckford had heretofore been working
against a vapor OF suspicion. Now he was
gaining a substantial knowledge OF what
the plot involved.
MY illustrious brother and sister have
already determined TO leave Paris and
return TO Deneslia." said the voice OF
Casparin. They will undoubtedly take
up their residence I'm the palace at Trolle.
the capital, until tho birth OF the he'll"
And IL Is this event that your high
ness must PREVENT"
For a moment there was silence.
II am not prepared TO say" came the
slow steely voice OF Casparin Rock
mlllive. that I wish particularly 10 de-
stroy my sister-in-law. the Princess Mar
garet. Had / been the heir TO the throne