The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1905-06-23

- IA
stricken woman. But you brought It
70 the wrong person when you brought
II TO me. Do you suppose that I would
nave allowed the marriage to take
place unless I knew that Marlborough
was dead"
You may be telling the truth about
ina incident or you may not" said De
Cnauxville. but my knowledge Of the
betrayal Of the Charity league is suf-
nclent for my purpose"
YES" admitted Steinmetz Rrimly.
you have information there with DOS
sibilities Of mischief In it. But I shall
discount most Of it by telling Prince
laVio tonight all that l know, and l
know more than you do. Also. I in
ten to seal your lips before you leave
this room"
De Chauxville stared at him with q
cropping lip. He gulped down some
thing In his throat. His hand was
stealing around under the fur Jacket
70 q pocket at the back of his trousers.
Let me outr' he Kissed.
mere was a CLEAN of bright metal
IN the sunlight that poured in through
the window. De Chauxville raised his
arm sharply, and ut the same instant
steinmetz threw a book in his face. A
loud report, and the room was full of
smoke.
steinmetz placed one hand on the
table and, despite his weight, vaulted
1t cleanly. This man had taken his
degree at Heidelberg, and the Germans
are the finest gymnasts In the world.
Moreover, muscle, once made, remains
I'LL death. 1t was his only chance,
for the Frenchman had lodged the
novel, but it spoiled his aim. Steinmetz
vaulted right on to him, and De Chaux-
Vile staggered back.
In a moment Steinmetz had him BY
the collar; his face was gray, his heavy
eyes ablaze. If anything will rouse a
man, 1t is being fired at point blank
at a range Of four yards with a re-
volver.
"AchW gasped the German. "You
would shoot me, would you"
BE wrenched the pistol from De
Chauxville's fingers and threw 1t into
the corner Of the room. Then he shook
the man like a garment.
First" he cried, you would kill
Paul, and now you try to shoot me!
Good God, what are you? You are
no man. Do you know what I am go
Ing to do with your l am going to
thrash you like q dog"
He dragged him to the fireplace.
Above the mantelpiece a stick rack
was affixed to the wall, and here were
sticks and riding whips. Steinmetz &C.
lected n heavy whip. His eyes were
shot with blood; his mouth worked be-
meath his mustache.
"So," he said, II am going to settle
with you at last"
De Chauxville kicked and struggled,
but ne could not get free. He only sue
ceeded In half choking himself.
"You are going to swear said Stein
metz, "never to approach the princess
again. never to divulge what you know
Of her past life."
The Frenchman was almost blue in
the face. His eyes were wild with ter
rOr.
And Karl Steinmetz thrashed him.
1t did not last long. No word was
spoken. The silence was only broken
by their shufling feet, by the startling
report of each blow, by De Chauxville's
repeated gasps Of pain.
The fur jacket was torn In several
places. The white shirt appeared here
and there. In one place it was stained
with red.
At last Steinmetz threw him huddled
into one corner of the room. The chat
tering face, the wild eyes that looked
up at him, were terrible to see.
when you have promised to keep
the secret you may go" said Stein
metz. you must swear It,"
De Chauxville's lips moved, but no
poured some water into a tumbler and
gave it to him.
1T had to come to this" he said,
SOONER or later. Paul would have
killed you. That Is the only difference.
Do you swear by God in heaven above
you that you will keep the princess Sc
cret?"
II swear it." answered De Chaux-
vile hoarsely.
Steinmetz was holding on to the back
of q high chair with both hands,
breathing heavily. His face was still
uvid. That which had been white IN
his eyes was quite red.
De Chauxville was crawling toward
the revolver in the corner OF the room,
but he was almost fainting. 1t was q
question whether he would last long
enough to reach the 1rearm. Ihere
was a bright patch Of red in either Nv
er colored cheek. His lips were work
ing convulsively. And Steinmetz saw
him in time. He seized him by the col
lar of his coat and dragged him BACK.
He placed his foot on the pistol ana
faced De Chauxville with glaring eyes.