Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-06


face At the same moment he was struck
sharply on the cheek by something soft and
perfumed which slipped to his shoulder
and thence to the ground, leaving behind
in the unsavory city streets the fragrance
OF the spring woods.
Before he stopped to find the unusual
missile Hamilton involuntarily looked up.
In the open window of the dark house in
front of which he stood he could just DIS
Germ a blur of white. Suddenly a broad
band Of light struck across the darkness
as if somewhere in the background door
had been opened. The blur resolved itself
into the slender form of a girl, her blond
head carried high she stood for a mo-
ment revealed; then she drew the curtain
quickly.
He bent to pick up the thing that had
struck him and discovered that Crook was
holding it patiently in his mouth Crook
was Hamltons dog, a Boston terrier, squat
of form and sturdy of leg. He was his mas
ter's inseparable companion when the big
man took walks in the city streets that
were the unsatisfying substitutes for the
long tramps over wooded land on his estate
In the lumber region of the far north
Come under the lamp. Crook" COM
manded Hamilton, and the dog trotted
ODeUltHllN TO ttt CoiHtT, "iltIG MS HIsiSiNA
took from him 4 bunch of violets tied with
ribbon OF the same color and EMBEDDING a
bit of crisp paper
He read the hurried words:
II don't know who you are. but YOU are
an American. and 1 believe you are a gen
tleman. Two nights you have passed the
house you and your dog. and l have heard
your voice as you spoke to hint gave me
courage. If you pass again. l shall appeal
to you. because | believe that you will not
misunderstood. In the morning at 6, l
shall he alone. VIII you come to me then?
/ need help at once"
That was all. On the surface 1t looked
Ike the rambling of an insane person or
the effusiOn of a romantic girl but in spite
of his thirty-five years Hamilton retained
some of the Illusions of his early youth.
He resolved to take the chances for at
any rate it no ordinary adventure upon
which he was embarking-the set of the
girls blond head, the eXquisiteness of tie
violets, the quality of the fine script all
spoke against CommOnplaceness.
I'VE will think it over while we have a
bite, Crook he said, and led the way to a
little out-of-the-way place, where he or
dered a club sandwich and musty ale.
Under the stronger light Hamilton once
more examined the violets, and discovered
that the ribbon which tied them was stamp
ed with strange device topped with n
crown.
AS he looked up he met the gaze of
man seated at a table opposite, small
fair, red-cheeked individual with the ends
OF his mustache upturned. This and his
fur-trimmed coat gave him the air of a
foreigner, an impression that was con-
frmed by the slightly broken English with
which he finally addressed Hamilton.
Beg pardon he said, and crossed over
and took a seat at Hamilton's table Beg
pardon but might L ask where you got
those violets?"
Hamilton looked at him with cold toler-
ance. No he said you might not
The little man fdgeted and Redeemed,
But 1 must insist" he said; Ito me it is
matter of great moment that 1 should
know
That you should know nothing" said
Hamilton. You can buy a bunch of yio-
lets at any street corner
The little man leaned over and put an i'm
pressive hand on Hamilton's arm ''Rut
not with that ribbon, my dear sir" he said
turn. i'ed ia
The little man fairly squrmed.
cannot tell you" he said Then he
pleaded ' ''0
Here was adventure upon adventure,
Hamilton felt like Haroun-al- Raschid and
vizier. --' e'"4"
He followed the foreigner ont into Nh.
stormy street. They walked FIVE blocks be-
lore they stopped at dark stone house in
an aristocratic section. The door was open-
ed by a sleepy porter, who showed then,
mo handsomely appointed library.
Here sat two men. One was tan and
dark. the other short and gray, but both
or them had the same foreign stamp
Hamiltons guide did not stop for intro
duction or explanations.
Look he cried, excitedly, and dragged
hamilton up to the table that the light
might fall on the violets and on the ribbon
which tied them.
HE refuses to say where he got then,
he fumed.
The big dark man looked at Hamilton
Keelily You do not trust us?" he said for
Hamilton kept tight grasp on the flowers
Well said Hamilton. until have some
explanation of your very unusual conduc,. I
must naturally stand in an attitude OF de-
Tense"
IF We tell you that this ribbon Is the
first trace we have had of one who is sought
eagerly, will it not induce you to give us
any information in your power?"
Il think not said Hamilton calmly
until L know your purpose in seeking this
person"
There can surely be no harm In thai"
said the short, gray man provided that
we have your word that what We say shall
go no further"
"All right" said Hamilton. and sat down
with Crook between his knees
We look for the princess of a small king
dom which shall go unnamed. Whatever
your surmises may be they cannot reach the
facts and we desire secrecy in the matter -
said the dark man. ut is enough that you
should know that, by a series of tragic
deaths. this princess has become next in
succession TO the crown and that she has
run away"
For what reason?" asked Hamilton
There were two mistakes made in her
training He hesitated.
And those mistaken asked Hamilton
with interest.
She was allowed almost unlimited free
dom, and her governess was an American"
All As Hamilton uttered the little
exclamation. Crook raised his head quickly
He knew that tense expression and the
sparkle of the eyes-he had seen that look
In the hunting season and on the race
course. and it promised good things, excir
ing things.
Hamilton threw back his head and laugh
ed gayly.
so. having allowed her to try her wings,
you wish 10 shut her up in a cage
Eve offer her kingdom" said the dark
man sternly.
And she prefers freedom. We Ameri-
cans have chosen freedom, you know, for
hundred years or more"
Ach!' The big man rose with move
ment of Impotence. I'VE lose time You
know where she is. Tell u.s."
At his tone Crook growled. but Hamil-
ton laughed again.