Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-28

I
| there is no such person in Edelweiss."
Il was so well assured of it, Baron
Dangloss," Lorry said.
"The name is totally unknown to me,
sir. May ask why you are searching
| for him."
| Certainly. met Mr.. Guggenslock-
er, his wife and his niece last spring in
the United States. They invited me to
come and see them if ever happened
| to be in this part of the world. AS my
friend and were near here, l under
took to avail myself of their invita-
! ton"
"And they said they lived in Edel-
weiss, GraustarkT
"They did, and I'll humhly confess I
did not know much of the principality
Of Graustark."
'"rhat is certainly complimentary,
but, then, we are little out of the
beaten path; so it is pardonable.
was at first under the impression that
VA We're American detectives with ex-
tradition papers for criminals bearing
the name you mention
ooh" gasped Anguish. 1--WE couldn't
find ourselves If we should be separat-
ed, captain"
The grizzly bearded captain laughed
lightly with them and then asked Lor-
rry If he would object to giving him the
full story of his acquaintanceship with
the alleged Graustarkians. The bewil-
dered and disheartened American
promptly told all he knew about them,
emitting certain tender details, Of
course. AS he proceeded the chief
grew more and more interested, and
when at last Lorry came to the de-
scriptlon Of the strange trio he gave a
sudden start, exposed a queer little
smile for second or two and then was
as sphinxlike as before. The ever vigi-
liant Anguish observed the involuntary
start and smile. quick as the chief had
been to recover himself, and felt thrill
of triumph. To his anger and impa-
tience, however. the old officer calmly
shook his head at the end of the narra-
tive and announced that he was as
much in the dark as ever.
We'll, We'll search awhile for our
selves" declared Anguish stubbornly,
not at all satisfied.
you will be wasting your time" said
the chief meaningly.
We've plenty to waste" retorted the
other.
After few moments they departed,
Baron Dangloss accompanying them to
the gate and assuring them that he and
his men always would be at their com
mand. His nation admired the Amer1-
can people, he warmly declared.
''That old codger knows our people,
and I'll bet thousand on it," said
Harry angrily when they had gone
some little distance down the street.
Then he told of the queer exposure
nangloss had unwittingly made. Lor-
~, more excited than he cared to show,
agreed that there was something very
suspicious about this new discovery.
They walked about the quaint town
for an hour or two, examining the
buildings, the people and the soldiery
with deep interest. From the head of
the main street, Castle avenue, they
could plainly see the royal palace, near
ly mile away Its towers and tur-
rets, gray and gaunt, ran up among the
green treetops and We're outlined plain
ly against the yellow hills. Countless
houses studded the steep mountain
slope, and many people were discerned
walking and riding along the narrow,
ledgelike streets which wound toward
the summit, far up in the clouds Clear
ly and distinctly could be seen the grim
monastery, perched at the very pima
Gle OF the mountain, several miles
away. Up there it. looked bleak and
cold and uninviting, in great contrast
to the loneliness and warmth of the
valley. Down below the grass was
moist and soft, trees were approaching
the stage where yellow and red tints
mingle with the rich green, flowers
were blooming, the land was redolent
Of the sweet fragrance of autumn, the
atmosphere warm, clear and invigorat-
ing. 1t was paradise surmounted by
desolation, drear and deadening.
Wherever the tall, distinguished
Americans walked they formed the
center of observation and were the
cause of comment that bore unmistaka-
bic signs of admiration. They bowed
pleasantly to many OF those who passed
them and received in return gracious
and profound recognition. Military men
saluted courteously, the women stared
modestlg and prettily, perhaps covet-
ously; the merchants and citizens in
general bowed and smiled a welcome
that could not have been heartier. The
strangers remarked the absence of We
hicles on the main streets. There were
pack mules and horses, human carriers,
both male and female, but during the
entire morning they saw not more than
six or eight carriages. Vehicles were
used solely by the quality and as a
means Of transportation for their per-
sons only. Everybody, with the few
exceptions mentioned, walked or rode
horseback. The two friends were de-
lighted with the place, and Anguish adj
vocated a soiourn of several weeks,
even though they did not find the Gug-
genslockers, his object being to secure
photographs and sketches of the pic
turesque people and the strange seem