The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1903-01-15

shall give you safe and powerful
opiate, for, whatever you do, you must
have rest.
The next day was the longest in
Silas' memory. It seemed as if it would
never be done. He denied himself to
his friends and sat in a corner with his
eyes fixed upon the Saratoga trunk in
dismal contemplation. His own former
lndiscretiOns We're now returned upon
him in kind, for the observatory had
been once more opened, and he, was
conscious of an almost continual study
from Nine. Zephyrine's apartment. So
distressing did this become that he
was at last obliged to block up the
spy hole from his own side, and when
he was thus secured from observation
he spent considerable portion of his
time in contrite tears and prayer.
Late in the evening DR.. Noel entered
the room carrying in his hand a pair
of sealed envelopes without address,
one somewhat bulky and the other so
slim as to seem without Enclosure. s.
"Silas," he said, seating himself at
the table, 1.-The time has now come for
me to explain my plan for your saliva
ton. Tomorrow morning, at an early
hour, Prince Florizel of Bohemia re-
turns to London, after having diverted
himself for few days with the Pari-
sian carnival. 1t was my fortune, a,
good While ago, to do Colonel Gerald
Inc. his master of the horse, one of.
those services, so common in my pro-
fesslon, which are never forgotten
upon either side. l have no need to
explain to you the nature of the obi
cation under which he was laid: suf-
flee it to say that I know him ready to
serve me in any practicable manner.
Now, it was necessary for you to gain
London with your trunk unopened. To
this the custom house seemed to op-
pose fatal difficulty, but l bethought
me that the baggage of so considerable
a person. as the prince is, as a matter
of courtesy, passed without examina-
ton by the officers Of CUSTOM l ap-
piled to Colonel Geraldine and succeed
ed in obtaining a favorable answer
Tomorrow, if you go before 6 to the
hotel where the prince lodges, YOUR
baggage will be passed over as part
of his, and you yourself will make; the
journey as member of his suit
1T seems to me as you speak that 1
have already seen both the prince and
Colonel Geraldine. l even overheard
some of their conversation the other
evening at the Butler BALL.
1T is probable enough, for the prince
loves to mix with all societies." replied
the doctor. "Once arrived in London
he pursued, 'your task is nearly slded-
In this more bulky envelope ha, Civ
en- you letter which l dare had
dress, but in the other you will find
the designation Of the house to ich
you must carry it along with you OK,
which will there be taken from you
and not trouble you any more"
"Alas," said Silas, '"I have every
wish to believe you, but how is it pos
sible? You open up to me a bright
prospect, but ask you, is my mind ca
pable of receiving so unlikely a solu-
ton? Be more generous and let me-
further understand your meaning
The doctor seemed painfully i'm
pressed Y 49,
Boy" he answered, you do not
know how hard thing you ask of
me. But be it so. am now Injured to
humiliation, and it would be strange If
l refused you this after having granted
you so much. Know, then, that al
though l now make so quiet an appear
ance-frugal, solitary, addicted to study:
when l was younger my name was
once rallying cry among the most
astute and dangerous spirits of Lon
don, and while l was outwardly an
object for respect and consideration
my true power resided in the most Sc
cret, terrible and criminal relations. 1t
is to one of the persons who then
obeyed me that l now address myself
to deliver you from your burden. They
were men of many different nations
and dexterities, all bound together by
formidable oath and working to the
same purposes. The trade of the asso-
citation was in murder, and who Iteak
to you, innocent as I appear, was the
chieftain of this redoubtable crew."
"Whatv' cried Silas. "a murderer?
And one with whom murder was
trade? Can l take your hand? Ought
l so much as to accept your services?
Dark and criminal old man, would you
make an accomplice of my youth and
my distress?'' " III
The doctor bitterly laughed
'You are difficult to please, Mr.. Scud-
damore," said he, "but 1 now offer you
your choice of company between the
murdered man and the murderer, If
your conscience is too nice to accept my
aid, say so, and will Immediately leave
you. Thenceforward you can deal with
your trunk and it's belongings as best
suits your upright conscience" IA
II own myself wrong" replied Silas.
II should have remembered how gen
erously you offered to shield me, even
before had convinced you of my inno-
cence, and I continue to listen to your
cOunSQ1S with frratit111oo II.