Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1903-01-15
THE *" PAPERS.
A Dramatic Story Of the Russian Secret Service.
BY MARY BARBER.

Monsieur, there is absolutely no
danger" cried the Prince. II know |
every inch of the pass, and if you will |
allow me l will act cicerOne to mes |
danes, but, since monsieur is nervous
for the ladies' sake alone, Of course"
he added, with politeness which in
any but an ever-civilized country would
be allowed it's only just requital. 1--WE
will consult the trusty guides"
Hans and Amsler were called before
I could interfere. They smiled cour-
teously at the suggestion of danger on
the Zenner: it was the right moment,
right weather. right everything.
During the afternoon l wired to
headquarters for particulars and the
whereabouts of Prince eli Congratza.
The following morning was glorious.
The snow scintillated against the deep
blue of the heavens and the Zenner
looked no more than an hours stroll
away.
The Prince had arranged everything
guides, ice axes, ropes and prOvis-
| IONS
Stephanie Dutour was latc-she gen
orally was.
MADAME and I will go on,'' said1the
Prince. You will soon oveNake us,
| but don't delay, or we may tap the
| lunch baskets
| AS I waited in the little salon one of
our cipher kilograms was handed to
| me. It ran: Height, five feet eight;
! dark. clean shaven, spare, good voice,
musical; tattoo portrait dl right up
per wrist, travelling in Europe: where
!. abouts unknown" Well. our new
friend corresponded pretty'well, SO far,
to his description!
It was half an hour before Nine. Du-
tour appeared, clad in a. bewitchingly
| smart and workmanlflSe costume, the
promise of which her performance on
| the snow utterly helied.
| ''Oh. monsieur. in pity, zone moment;
was ever poor woman. so puffedt' she
would exclaim. You .can run up ice
mountains, but be menciful and look
at the view, that / may bltaathe!''
To feel irritated was brutal; convent
walls do not produce deep-chested,
free-limbed climbers such..as her native
hills of Arran had made, my KGstine.
Still it was disappointing to see my
bride only ais one OF four BLACK dots OF
the SHOWS white1Aess-for; the advance
party had taken both guides-durine
the best part Of the morning.
At lunch time. at last. they awaited
us OH little plateau. into which the
path widened before the sleeper part
Of the ascent began.
Instantly / observed. that mot Han.
and Amsler,, but two new guides. .swert
unshouldering the baskets
"A thousand apologies. Thneof IN,
countrymen who arrived late e1last1 nigh
were anxious to attempt the KQrhans
hergh, and begged the more exper
fenced guides explained the Prince
following my eyes, THAT with III
they are only part of the mise jen scene
and my friends are pressed 3for time
is my plea for forgiveness"
"Of course, it doesn't matter, Prince,
said Kirstine. :;
| "Of course not ndde1.
| But the Prince must have know
that he was watchedf from that mo
ment.
After lunch Kirstinefandt1 jmade col
fee, while Stephanie. and Prince d
Congratza smoked ma;ly cigarettes.
what nice picnic Wit u.s." said I'M
wife. ''The Prince is, so merry an
charming, and he has been telling m
e all about the revolution and his los
! principality. Do you know, I begi
: quite to like him"
:, 'Kirstine,' 1 said softly, and stoor
ing low over the littleS brazier,, wi
: you do something for md:''
l. 1 saw my wife's expression chang
:. suddenly. She nodded.
S The sun will be hot ION the steepe
path. IT it makes yourIhead ache 70
d will have to return
!, Looking in her eyes sawJshe under
r stood.
n A moment later I handed the Prime
L the coffee cup.
4 Make a long arm. Prince"
e laughed, leaning across the tableclot
which was still spread on the snow.
e AS he did so I saw his right wril
IS white and bare between the bronze
d hand and linen cuff.
e There was no tattoo mark!
e Suddenly I heard cry from Ki
p slime; she had fallen dangerously ne:
the plateau's edge.
d, As I ran to her she struggled up..
NO: I'm not hurt, Maurice. I onl