Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-12
to eXasperate a saintr'

to exasperate a saint!''
Tut, tut. man, man.! said Denis, with an
amused laugh. "Sit down and calm your
self. I'm not sure but your language is
lese majestic. l shall speak to the prince
about it. My word! might think the
prince naughty child or erring servant.
Do you feed him and tuck him into his bed
O. nights, Won Altdorf?"
But Won Altdorf was in no mood for jest.
You wouldn't think it SO dashed funny II
he were to fall into the hands of those
devils who tracked him here, would your
he growled. well, that's just what he'll
do If he persists in going about alone and
unprotected Don't you believe for mo-
ment that because we haven't seen them in
long while they're not logging every
move he makes. That we haven't seen
them only proves them the cleverer.'
Denis blew a big ring and drove a little
one through it. He smiled delightedly
upon his work.
They won't touch the prince" said he
carelessly.
"Won't-oh don't be an ASST cried the
disguised diplomat.
Denis shook his head
mo, they won't touch the prince" he re-
peated. Il don't believe they're even keep
Ing more than a casual eye upon him. How
much do you suppose their cause would be
worth in Novodnia if it were known that
they'd kidnapped or killed the prince? Man,
the populace would rise up and chase every
Pavelovitch follower into the Danube! No
no, they're no such fools rs that They
y,
right enough. but they want to keep him
out seemingly at his own volition.
If you'll think it over a bit you'd see that
they'd only ruin their cause by harming or
killing him.
You've missed your vocation, lad" said
Colonel Won Altdorf with half sneer. you
belong to the diplomatic service-or the
secret police. You've keen mind" But
I could see that he was thinking for all
that, and half convinced.
And whom then" he persisted, "whom
then should you think they're after, my
acute young friend, if not the prince?"
Denis dropped his eyes and sudden
shade passed over his face.
"If they're after any one at ALL" said
he, its some one whose abduction would
keep the prince, of his own will, away
from Novodnia in search for them till he
should run them down. But this person, l
may add, is being uncommonly well
guarded"
Won Altdorf gasped.
'.You mean-?' he cried you mean
the"
st mean whomever you like said NAL
lory, but your friends Steinbucke and
company may as well go back to Noyodnia'
There were hurried steps without the
door and Mackenzie burst into the room
painting and disheveled His big, square
face was mottled red and white. His eyes
seen in them, and he stood before US star
ing and breathing hard. His mouth worked
as if he would speak but could not.
Colonel Won Altdorf was up in an in
slant, his face full of nameless fear. He
was thinking I knew, of the absent prince.
He put out shaking hand upon Macken-
zies arm.
What is 1t, man?" he cried sharply.
what is 1t? What's wrong? For Gods
sake can't you speak? What's the mat
terri"
Mackenzie let himself down into a chair,
and his chin sank upon his breast.
Hes told herr" said he. The prince
has told her!
There was swift, hoarse cry from Denis
Mallory, cry that brought us all to our
feet. He was standing by the table with