Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-18
her there as long is like"
And that" suggested the colonel, that

her there as long as like"
And that" suggested the colonel, that
will be as long
LAS long as it is necessary to keep Prin ce
Karl out of Novodnia. for he'll never go
back there with his wife in durance. He'll
search till he's found her. Meanwhile
why, meanwhile there's empty seat in
the palace at Novodnia, colonel, and pop
ulace very, very discontinued at the notion
of foreign commoner princess, and none
too pleased at the princes absence per-
haps none too pleased with the prince in
any event. Shall the seat remain empty,
my friend? There's a man In the noun
tains would fill it well. All, We've the up
per hand of you this time colonel"
Col Won Altdorf leaned over the little
table and smiled pleasantly into the Aus
TRANS eyes.
you've stated the conditions. baron"
said he; that is, you've stated them from
your point of viewI hold another-but
they were to lead up to something. The
proposition, my friend?"
Baron Won Steinbrucke removed his eye
glass and polished it with some care. He
showed the slightest trace Of nervousness
the very slightest possible.
why, as for that" said he with shrug,
I've no great love for George and his
I crew.
sell out? thought so. And the-er price? %
Won Steinbrucke gave a little nervous
laugh. 1t would seem of relief.
It's not prohibitive." said he lightly.
pay ones little gaming debts. to
keep against ones old age Herr
Colt! shall man serve a mob of bandits,
| of providing pretenders when he might take
| the place his merits deserve in a reigning
princes train? Come, give me countenance
at court and an income, and we'll send
Georgias to the devil! I'm tired of sneak
| ing and intrigue. Let Karl have his nest
| mate-by heaven, 1 like his taste, she's a
beauty! And we'll all go back to No
vodnia for the coronation
Colonel Won Altdorf appeared to be medi-
| tating
| to us?" he inquired, presently. How are
| we to know sure that you won't sell us out
| in turn to Georgias or some one else"
MY word of honor" said the Baron Won
| Steinbrucke pompously.
| Won Altdorf laughed.
Come, come, baron!" he cried.
| The baron flushed purple and cursed
| softly to himself.
| Colonel Won Altdorf leaned once more
| over the little table, his elbows among the
! glasses and SaucerS.
II have known you, baron" said he
| slowly, for many years. l knew of you
| for many years before ever 1 saw you, and
| in all that time I have never heard any
| good of you, nothing but bad faith, dis
| honor and disgrace. l know you for liar
| card cheat, blackmailer, husband of con-
| venience-keep your hands down. Baron Won
| Steinbfucke this is conspicuous corner
catspaw for criminals in high places whose
| own hands must be concealed pander to a
| rotten nobility, blackguard in general.
| You've won money by sharp play from
| your own guests in your own house You've
| trapped young girls and turned them loose
| afterward upon the streets. You've COM
| promised women of rank and demanded
\ money of them to hold your tongue.
| There's been no deed so vile, so foul that
I you wouldn't do it for price And now
you ask Prince Karl of Novodnia for q
| place in his court and offer your word of
honor-honor. forsooth.-that you will be his
| faithful subject!