The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1903-05-07

"Enouoh of this footing. There are the
diamonds D." crted the prince.
cess sat at the foot as far from her hus-
| band rs she could conveniently get
without attracting notice. Miss Baxter
stood near a window reading an i'm
portant letter from London which had
reached her that morning. The tall,
thin detective and the portly Mr.. Briggs
came in together, the London man bow
| ing gravely to the prince and princess.
Mr.. Briggs took a seat at the side of the
table, but the detective remained stand
ing, looking questioningly at Miss Bax-
ter, but evidently not recognizing her
as the lady who had come in upon him
and his friend when they had entered
the train.
II beg the pardon of your highness,
but what have to say had better be
said with as few hearers as possible. l
should be much obliged If this young
person would read her correspondence
In another room.
"The young woman, said the prince
coldly, sis secretary to her highness
and is entirely in her confidence.
The detective, apparently unruffled
by the discourtesy he met. bowed pro-
foundly toward the prince. cleared his
throat and began.
MAY ask your highness. y" he said,
addressing himself to the princess, chow
much money you possessed just before
you left ViennaH"
The lady looked up at him in surprise
| but did not answer
"In heavens name, what has that to
do with the loss Of the diamonds p
raped out the prince, his hot temper
getting once more the better Of him.
| Cadbury Taylor spread out his hands
and shrugged his shoulders in protest
at the interruption. He spoke with def
| erence. but nevertheless with a touch
Of reproach in his tone.
81 am accustomed to be listened to
with patience and am generally al
lowed to tell my story my own way
your highness.
"What l complain Of is that you are
not telling any story at all, but are ask.
| ing instead very impertinent ques.
| ton.
Questions which seem to you irrele-
want may be toa trained mind most -
"Boshl Trained donkeysl Do you
know where the diamonds areP'
eyes, | do, answered Cadbury Tay-
lor, still imperturbable, in spite Of the
provocation he was receiving.
"Well, where are theyf"
"They are in the vaults Of your bark
in Vienna.
81 don't believe it Who stole them
them
"They were put there by her high
ness the Princess Won Steinheiner
doubtless in security for money
"Whatl' roared the prince, spring.
| ing to his feet, his stentorian voice
ringing to the ceiling. ''Do you mean
to insinuate, you villain. that my wife
stole her own diamondsY"
"If your highness would allow me to
| proceed in my own
Enough Of this fooing There are
the diamondsl" cried the prince. jerk.
ing the box from his pocket and fling.
ing il on the table.
"Therel' shouted old man Briggs
bringing his clinched fist down on the
oak "What did l tell youf knew II
all along The prince stole the dia.
monds and in his excitement yanks
them out Of his pocket and proves 1t. I
said so from the first "
ooh, father, fatherl" moaned the
princess. speaking for the first time
"How can you say such things Ny
husband couldn't do mean action II
| he tried The idea Of his stealing the
diamondsl Not IL they were worth a
thousand millions and detection impos-
| sible -
"Come, come" cried Miss Jennie
Baxter. stepping energetically forward
II imagine everybody has had enough
Of this. Clear out. Mr.. Briggs. and take
Mr. Taylor with you. | am sure he has
| he ContinuedD