The San Francisco call., 1904-08-21

subjected her for some while to shrewd
and puckered glances, and many min
utes passed before she was called upon
to answer. But she did not mistake
their vocation-they were police officers
she said. The man who spoke to her
put his question so abruptly and in
such a formal manner that she would
have laughed at him under other cir
cumstances.
your name-and age. If you please"
he asked.
She started from a reveris and re-
piled with great composure:
Since 1 bear my husbands name,
call myself Esther de Medina Cell: my
age is 81
Both the men looked at her with
heavy eyes which seemed to resent her
answer.
Eyes, that is all very well; but your
English name, madame; we want that,
II you please"
"Then my name is venn-Esther
English officer
They wrote her answer down Ia
boriously with scratching pens. The
second question concerned her hus-
band.
O4Gd5C0
circumstances you met his Highness,
Prince Arthur"
'T met him at the house Of my friend,
the Duke OF Montalvan."
you were the Dukes secretary for
some months, I thinkAhe employed
your
IT was not his secretary; I was COM
panion to his sister 1t is true that I
helped him in his laboratory. but do
not consider that was his servant"
THE companion to his sister, but not
his servant. And during your COM
panionship. madame. you found the
means to become acquainted with his
Highness, Prince Arthur"
Not so: the Prince found the means
to become acquainted with me- He
was introduced to me by DR.. Xavier
by whom, madame?'
Esther had forgotten that they we're
not aware Of the Dukes incOgnito.
''By DR.. Xavier-the Duke; really,
you are very stupfdi
They put their heads together and
discussed il in a whisper. When they
had written three or four lines upon
the paper, one OF them continued:
mo doubt you saw great deal OF
his Highness, madame-he was much
in your company"
'I saw him once in London and three
times in Paris before 1 was engaged
to him.
Permit me to suggest that you lost
no time"
you may be as rude as you please;
am quite defenseles-
It beg to differ YOU; your an
swers are your best tense. Be care
ful what you say. your words Will be
repeated before your judges"
rs it necessary, then, to take all this
trouble?"
1T is most necessary. We must un-
derstand, madame. under what cir
cumstances you have inveigled his
Highness into this absurd marrige."
Esther flinched at the base charge
when I am called upon to defend
myself, It must be before gentlemen"
she said. hotly.
Then you refuse to answer?"
Absolutely"
He wrote it down upon the paper, ap-
parently pleased at her obstinacy. The
next question concerned the place Of
her marriage
I'VE understand that a ceremony was
performed in the church at St Eus-
tache. You are quite aware that such
q contract is null and void in Spain ?"
"I know nothing about Spain. From
the little have seen I am proud OF
my Ignorance"
I'VE shall enlighten you, madame"
Then please begin. You viii find ms
= good pupil. I have much to learn"
Remembering that some studies are
dangerous"
'T do not forget it. Please to say
that 1 am an Englishwoman and that
was married at the British Embassy.
Your judges will wish to know that
think they viii be interested"
The men stared at each other lit
tie blankly. This was not the kind Of
information they had come there to
procure. But II was written down,
nevertheless. in a fourishing scrawI
and with several blots-
"You were married in Paris, ma
dame, and you proceeded thence to the
castle OF St. Girons. Was it your In
tention to remain there or to return to
your own country?
MY intentions were my husbands
They are still so. Really, you waste
time"
I'VE are not in hurry, madame;
there is plenty Of time-perhaps more
than you desire"
Am I to understand that you
threaten me2"
IF you compel US to-yes."
"And with what?"
He shrugged his shoulders.
with justice. madame"
THAT must be an unusual punish
ment in this country
You are insolent"
mo, I am truthful
The Spaniard put down his pen an
grily. He was not quick at repartee
and he could net riDost such fighting
thrusts. Defeated and chagrined he
sat for little while silent: then TAX
ing up his pen again, he proceeded:
IF you were set at liberty, ma