New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-10
TIE Stolen Prince.
Copyright: 1904: BY The Tribune AssociatiOn)


ground caught his eye. It was tiny silver key.
He picked it up with fingers that trembied with
excitement and put It softly into the keyhole
1t fitted perfectly. and he turned the key the
door swung noiselessIy back on it's hinges and he
looked into the vast hall of GOlconda's palace
The silence was unbroken save for the pOrter's
heavy breathing. and not another soul was TO be
1t indeed an enchanted palace. and the
hermit could have paused for long time to mar
vel over it's wonders But time too precious to
be lost; he must return for the children.
He closed the door softly behind him. locked IT
again. and made his way swiftly back to the cave.
He found the Princess Nerissa and Ohio LAYING
their hands I'm the stream that along one side
Of the cave and the rocky walls echoed with their
ripping laughter
Their fears were all forgotten for the moment
but their faces sobered they saw the hermit
coming swiftly toward them.
Hasten. my children" he said. Il will lead ye
TO the palace entrance without delay. The hall
porter sIumbers at his post. and have found the
silver key"
Nerissa's face grew very pale and Ohio grasped
his dagger with hand while with the other he
casped Nerissa's.
Courage. princessr he said. boldly. we shall
soon Prince Noel"
The words acted like charm. Nerissa held out
her hand to the hermit. and all vent together in
the direction Of the mountain.
At any other time the beauty Of the surroundings
the sunshine. the trees, and the beautiful deer In
the distance-would have excited their admiration
but their thoughts were occupied With other
matters and they paid no heed as they hurried TO
keep pace with the hermit's rapid strides. After
a time their pace grew slow. and they went very
cautiously the rugged ground.
The hermit was in advance now, showing them
the way. and it seemed long ere they came to the
narrow door in the rock.
The hermit just about 10 insert the key in
the lock. when thought struck him. and turning
he handed it Princess Nerissa.
1T is only meet that thou shouldst open tho
he Ind toIra
Of success"
Nerissa's fingers trembled as she took the key
1t turned easily IN the lock- and as before the door
swung open noiselessly. The hall porter still slu-
bered at his post; his head had fallen back and his
nerce appearance made the children shrink away
His sword had slipped from his hand and lay
upon the marble pavement the light cleaning on
its curved blade. The hermit stopped. and tried
to raise II. but was unable TO do so with hand
so weighty 1t. However. by dint OF exerting all
his strength he lifted il and carried it with him.
The walls OF the vast circular hall were Of
highly polished silver, in which they saw them
taII hermit looked a dwarf so lofty was the hail.
and as for the childreu-they appeared to be mere
sPecks on the breadth OF the floor
The brightness OF their surroundings bewiIdered
them after time, and they tired Of the hard
10 be seen: not picture Relieved the monetony,
and then they began 70 realize that there
ouuet Eom the hall-or, at least. none that
The hermit grew seriously alarmed Time pressed
and at any moment the fierce wsrder might awake
and add them TO the list OF Ciolcondas victims
the walls stin bearing the sword in his hands Not
SO much as dent the size Of a button was visible
They looked back continually TO II the terrible
figure in scarlet had moved: but no he still slept
on. more quietly now. as II nothing but earth
quake could wake him.
two st5 they ga1a to PoT9n OF the hall TheCe
bronze. and lowered far above the chiIdrens heads
One bore In his hand siided lance. the other fig
ure battle axe. Even Ohio could not help shrink
ing back from them. So savage was their appear
but some strange sensation kept Nerissa rooted to
She knew that the hermit and Ohio had passed
on. but she could not move. and, strange TO say.
felt that she preferred TO remain where she
She found herself examining the huge figures more
She noticed that each had the rsht hand ex-
tended In the same direction. and her eyes fol-
oWSd the GlreGll Gu, OF me siIled lance wnleh
The floor all worked in curious design Of
Imaginable was there-rfngs OF gold silver bronze
green. blue, pink yellow. until the eve grew be-
10 float around and detach themselves from one
1t was most curious Nerissa thought and she
wondered whether the hermit and Ohio had noticed
H. and was ABOUT 70 iosioW mem ana point II out
seemed to detach itself from the others. and float
IN the fioor and she saw that to this i.sV partieuisT
riqg The ,.. Tilded lance 1853 was pointing l,. 49,
she saw that i was really golden ring fixed in the
She Tead The words .Strite-nof once but tbrfco
Nerssa ran swiftly to where the hermit and
Il have found IT," she said. "and It IS rot in the
walls; SO waste no more time in search. Come
They FASTENED back with her and she showed
theTn te s fs ana said tb b1Init on f., %
danger stand away pace two
without moments warning the payem alf ! uSd
which the children stood moved. swayed mo-
downward and the next moment the space 'I Was
filled up. and the hermit found himself alone
Ito be continued)