Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-04-17
By ROBERT
 LOUIS
 STEVENSON

face was protruded into the lane and a hand was seen beckoning to the watchers In dead silence the three passed the door, which was immediate ly locked behind them, and followed their guide through several garden al- leys to the kitchen entrance of the house. A single candle burned in the great paved kitchen, which was desti- ute of the customary furniture, and, as the party proceeded to ascend from thence by a flight of winding stairs, a prodigious noise of rats testified still more plainly to the dilapidation of the house.
 Their conductor preceded them, car rying the candle, He was a lean man, much bent, but still agile, and he turned from time to time and admon- ashed 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. BrackenbuEy's heart beat thickly. He perceived that they were still in time, but he judged from the alacrfty of the old man that the hour of action must
 
 of this adventure were so obscure and menacing, the place seemed so we'll chosen for the darkest acts, that an older man than Brackenbury might have been pardoned a measure of emo ton as he closed the procession up the winding stair.
 At the top the guide threw open a door and ushered the three officers be- fore him into small apartment lighted by a smoky lamp and the glow of 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 expres- sion were those of the most unmoved composure. ysHe was smoking cheroot with much enjoyment and deliberation, and on table by his elbow stood long glass of some effervescing bever- age which diffused an agreeable odor through the room.
 welcome" said be- extending his hand to Colonel Geraldine. 1T knew might count on your exactitude."
 "On my devotion" replied the colo he1, with a bow.
 "Present me to your friends, contin- ued the first, and, when that ceremony had been performed, 'I wish, gentle, men, he added, with the most ex- quisite affability, ''that could offer you a 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 TNnIAnxyn ha oTa %raF {rrn me this unpleasant evening, and for men of your stamp 1t will be enough to know that you are conferring consid- erable favor"
 "Your highaess," said the major, must pardon my bluntness. am un- able to hide what I know For some time back have suspected Major Ham, mersmith, but MT. Godall is unmistak- able. To seek two men in London un- acquainted with Prince Florizel of Bo- hemia was to ask too much of fortunes hands,
 Prince Florizel!p cried Brackenbury in amazement.
 And he gazed with the deepest inter- est on the features of the celebrated parsonage before him.
 
 cognito'' remarked the prince, flor 1t enables me to thank you with the more authority. You would have done as much for Mir. Godall. feel sure, as for the Prince of Bohemia, but the latter can perhaps do more for you. The gain is mine," he added, with 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 a remarkable fund Of information and the soundest views
 There was something so striking in this mans attitude at a 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 itself, but seemed to ennoble the for tunate mortal for whom it was intend ed, and Brackenbury confessed to him. self with enthusiasm that this was sovereign for whom brave man might thankfully lay down his life
 Many minutes had thus passed when the person who had introduced them into the house and who had sat ever since in corner and with his watch in his hand arose and whispered word into the princess ear.
 ..It is well, Dr. Noel" replied F1ori- gel aloud, and then, addressing the others, 'sYou will excuse me- gentle men" he added, Eff I have to leave you in the dark. The moment now ap- breaches
 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.
 .You will have the kindness" he said, Ito maintain the strictest silence and to conceal yourselves in the densest of the shadow"