The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1903-01-29
,rHESPRINCET( VI UNI


much bent, but still agile and Ii
turned from time to time and admon.
ished silence and caution by his ges.
lures. ~
Colonel Geraldine followed on his
heels, the case of swords under one
arm and pistol ready In the other,
Brackenbury's heart beat thickly He
perceived that they were still in time.
but he judged from the alacrity Of the
old man that the hour of action must
be near at hand, and the circumstances
of this adventure were so obscure and
menacing, the place seemed SO well
chosen for the darkest acts, that an
older man than Brack enbury might
have been pardoned measure of emo
ton as he closed the procession up the
winding stair.
At the top the guide threw open q
door and ushered the three officers be.
fore him into a small apartment lighted
by a smoky lamp and the glow Of a
modest fire. At the chimney corner
sat man in the early prime of life and
of stout but courtly and commanding
appearance. His attitude and express
sion were those of the most unmoyed
composure. He was smoking cheroot
with much enjoyment and elaboration.
and on a table by his elbow stood a
long glass of some effervescing bever.
age which diffused an agreeable odor
through the room.
Welcome" said he, extending his
hand to Colonel Geraldine. II knew
might count on your exactitude'' 40
ION my DEVOTION replied the colo
mel, with a bow. ...s.-- Z .
present me to your friends" contin-
ued the first, and, when that ceremony
had been performed, II wish, gentle
men," he added, with the most ex-
quisite affability, that could offer
you more cheerful programme. It is
ungracious to inaugurate an acquaint-
ance upon serious affairs, but the com
pulsion of events is stronger than the
obligation of good fellowship. hope
and believe you will be able to forgive
me this unpleasant evening, and for
men of your stamp it will be enough to
know that you are comforting a consid-
cradle favor" t
"Your highness," said the major,
must pardon my bluntness 1 am I'M
able to hide what know. For some
time back have suspected Major Ham
mersmith. but Mr.. Godall is unmistak-
able. To seek two men in London UNI
acquainted with Prince Florizel of Be-
hemia was to ask too much of fortunes
hands, S
prince Florizelr' cried Brackenbury
in amazement. 81,
And he gazed with the deepest inter-
est on the features of the celebrated
parsonage before him. e.
II shall not lament the loss of my in
cognito,' remarked the prince, 'for it
enables me to thank you with the more
authority. You would have done as
much for Mr.. Godall, l feel sure, as for
the Prince of Bohemia, but the latter
can perhaps do more for you. The gain
is mine," he added, with a courteous
gesture.
And the next moment he was con-
versing with the two officers about the
Indian army and the native troops, "a
subject on which, as on all others, he
had remarkable fund of informa ton
and the soundest views. d
There was something so striking in
this mans attitude at moment Of
deadly peril that Brackenbury was
overcome with respectful admiration
Nor was he less sensible to the charm
of his conversation or the surprising
amenity of his address. Every gesture
every information, was not only noble in
tunate mortal for whom it was intend
ed, and Brackenbury confessed to him
self with enthusiasm that this was "a
sovereign for whom brave man might
thankfully lay down his life. -. y.
Many minutes had thus passed when
into the house and who had sat ever
since in corner and with his watch
in his hand arose and whispered a
word into the princes ear. =. +.
1T is well, DR.. Noel,' replied Flori-
eel aloud, and then, addressing the
others, "You will excuse me, gentle
men," he added, IF have to leave
you in the dark. The moment now ap-
proaches" -:.z RI
DR.. Noel extinguished the lamp. A
faint gray light, premonitory of the
dawn, Illuminated the window. but
was not sufficient to illuminate the
room. and when the prince rose to his
feet it was impossible to distinguish
his features or to make a guess at the
nature of the emotion which obviously
affected him as he spoke. He moved
toward the door and placed himself at
one side of it in an attitude of the wari-
est attention. s
"You will have the Kindness" he
said, ito maintain the strictest silence
and to conceal yourselves in the densest
Of the shadow"
The three officers and the physician
FASTENED to obey, and for nearly ten
minutes the only sound in Rochester
House was occasioned by the excur-
sions of the rats behind the woodwork.
ho oF fhof no,,iod loud