Rocky Ford enterprise., 1902-08-22


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
In Paix.
Then 1t burst upon him that he had
not placed enough Significance upon
what the baron had confided to him.
This did not mean the mere arrest OF
u 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. II stood for something
grander. something that might yet
shake a greater part OF Europe with q
mighty CONFUSION. 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.
It seemed that the countess had nm
ally made stupendous blunder. and
Peterhon's hour of triumph was at
hand.
II 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 bumper
to her long residence In her new and
exclusive palace.
So Charlie watched aud waited. deep
In reflection.
When his cigar was about half con-
sumcd. he thought he would saunter
down the street n 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 not gone more than dozen
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 Blended face looked into his own.
''Messiehrs. I am afraid you" he
began.
"siiencc."
Have made n little mistake
SILENCE on your lifc." was Kissed.
He saw frowninK pistols.
II was evident that the oficcrs
meant business.
Charlie began to grow little indiE-
nant.
See here. send for the baron." he
insisted.
He Is engaged"
But he Is my fricnd-he will be
angry with you for making so ridicu-
ious n blundcr."
so. but we carry out his orders.
Now. not word more. mynhcrr."
"Confound-"
DO you hear! Not one word. on
your iifc!"
Charlie shrugged his shoulders.
All. a Enthusiastically signal.
The game was about to be called.
Even IA he stood there. held fast by
his captors. he saw a man enter the
door OF the hostciry.
II was Pctcrhon.
Another and another followed. until
Charlie had counted round dozen.
At the same time there was
stretching Of lines In the street Sig
nails passed from mouth to mouth.
and Charlie understood that the we'll
known Hotel de Ia Paix was In the
center OF a strong Gordon OF officers.
through which escape was impossible.
Alas, for the countess, II was her
hour of doom!
He listened. swayed by contcndins
emotions.
Somehow Airline was In his mind.
Perhaps there might be fght.
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-
ducc 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
hons dreaded name was sufficient.
under ordinary conditions. to freeze
the fighting blood in the veins of
most men. however brave they might
be.
To his surprise. he heard no shot.
not even a shout or a scream.
The baron's sudden appearance In
their midst must have paraiyxcd the
Presently they would be trooping
forth under escort. TO be hurried away
to gloomy prison cells.
And as for himself.
Charlie smoked calmly on.
This was another experience, that
was all.
He seemed bound to suffer in the
cause of Airline Brand. Because she
CHANGED to resemble the notorious
Countess Isolde in possessing an en-
trancing figure. and also golden hair
and eyes that rivaled the summer skies
of Italy. forsooth. the baron must fall
into error and bring about this en-
tangiement.
Well. perhaps all things would work
together for good. II he but put his
shoulder to the wheel.
And the cause was one in which he
could stand considerable knocking
about with complacency.