Los Angeles herald., 1906-06-17

IN pcrsuading you that she was an innocent agent
ana unaware of the contents of that etter!'
pause succeeded, during which the falling Of
a pin to the floor would have appeared a loud
and startling noise.
You, Count Ludwig Won Oeltien," said Mr.
tergord suddenly breaking the silence, 'were
chlet attache to the Kaiser's embassy in London
until three weeks ago. You were then compelled
TO resign, and the reason officially assigned for
your retirement was the misplacinp of an i'm.
portant dispatch intrusted tc YOUR charge, which
through some mishap was said to have reached
lts destination too late to be of service The real
cause OF your dismissal was somewhat different
certain regning monarch was Mt that time pay
ing visit to Her Majesty the Queen of England.
fou were induced to undertake the presentation
to that king of petition from his majesty's sub
Iects resident in England, which purported to be
an address OF welcome. 1t was writ on parch-
ment, subtly perfumed by scent which to iuhale
meant death. Your mission happily failed of its
intention Your honesty was not questioned, but
you were required to name the person who had
SO befooled you. You persistenty refused, and,
IN consequence OF your obstinacy, Germany lost
faithful servant, and Madame Tiyella, Countess
OF Hobenstein, still reigns a sovereign beauty
and petted favorite at half the Courts of Eu-
rope"
The Count Won Oeltien drew his breath sharply
through tightly clenched teeth. Bending forward
he demanded hoarsely "Who the devil, sir. are
you, who know so much?"
MIR. Perigord for answer threw back the left
lapel of his coat, his action displaying the pres
encc of large brooch fastened to his breast
whereupon was traced strange Device wrought
with diamonds of great size and briliancy
Prince, peer or peasant" he said with grave so.
lemnity, his manner Of malice entirely gone
what matters it? Be satisfied TO know that go
cial rank l have none. l am of royal birth, but
L have no right to name my parents; therefore
am / veritable nobody, a mountebank if YOU
will but mountebank who holds the reins of
mighty power For sixteen years I have concen-
trated and devoted all my energies of brain and
body and the resources of a large fortune to the
accomplishment of an object To that end have
used all my talents Throughout those years
have lived without tasting the kiss of wo-
man or permitting drop of wine to cross my
lips, always working, working, working, often
despairing, but never relinquishng my task. En-
perors have become my helpmates in its service
kings my servants, princes and peers my ardent
followers. At last see the end in view'
He paused, and raised his right hand reverently
upward, while his three guests stared at him
spellbound
After moment he resumed. "When still
young man, hotblood like yourselves, while
travelling in Russia fell madly in love with ali
evil woman, the beautiful but infamous Sophie
Peroffskaja For her sake became Nihilist and
the friend of bloody scoundrels. You have all
heard of the assassination of Gar Alexander ii.
Well, l stood beside Russakoff when Russakoff
threw the bomb Bah! calm yourselves, gentle.
men, ! had no hand in the massacre, and was as
ignorant of those fiends' dreadful purpose as your.
selves. But that fact did not save me. L served
six months in the mines of Siberia, and was
only released after the exercise of powerful inter
vention. But it a changed man who received
his passport and was deported from the realms of
the Gar. During my imprisonment had learned
many things before unknown to me and had
much onnortunitU for rafectioD Havino
lost hope of ever walking the earth free man
again, | dared to make night solemn pact
with God Kneeling the stone floor of my
cell | vowed to the Most High that if He saw
fit to accomplish my release, would devote my
life, my fortune, my very SOUL to abolish Nj.
hism. After ] had sworn my vow I fell into a
deep dreamess sleep; l was awakened at dawn
by a soldier who struck off my chains and in
formed me that / was free With gold | pur
chased much knowledge, with patience more, but
it cost me five years of ceaseless effort to acquire
the groundwork that / needed. Those five years
taught me that the society is composed of three
circles The inmost circle is composed of three
men, OF one of these Madame Viyella is the
daughter. of the second the wife, Of the third the
mistress"
Prince Carlos sank back in his chair uttering
loud hysterical laugh. "Her husband is dead!"
he cried.
Mr.. Perigord frowned. "The Count Won Hoben.
stein is dead" he answered grimly, and. drew
from his pocket a folded paper Read"
The Prince snatched the paper and tore it
open the others stopped over him to see Quick
ly they fell back.
Lord Francis put his hand to his head Won
Oeltjen threw out his arms dramatically. Only |
Prince Carlos did not seem to understand ''What |
does it mean?" he gasped; "a copy certificate of
a marriage celebrated in New York between
Kathern Viyella and"
''Mr Frederick Smith, interrupted Perpord,
with queer little smile; "a common enough |
name, is it not! !''
''But perhaps assumed" suggested Lord Fran
els Cressingham.
Undoubtedly assumed" replied Perigord
'GDiabe! who is Katherin's father?" muttered
the Count Won Oeltjen.
"And who. in Gods name is her lover?" al.
most shouted the Prince, who seemed overcome
with sudden frenzy of rage.
Gentlemen said Perigord, you behold as |
signed to you your tasks. You, Lord Francis
will devote yourself heart and soul to the discov
cry of the name of Madame Viyella's father
The task should be easy, for the woman believes
herself at present in love with you / can give
you no assistance except TO inform YOU that The
late Count Won Hobenstein some twelve vosrs |
back married in Bavaria an American actress who
called herself Kate Staines; the name, however.
was assumed
care those my orders, sir?"
eyes" Mr. Perigord turned to the Prince
"Your Hghness is so foolish as TO remain. IN
spite of repeated warnings, still infatuated. We
must therefore seek to turn your madness to our
own account A jealous man should make
good detective; you must ascertain the name of
Madames lover
The Prince, who had retreated several stems
during this speech, here interrupted fereelv.
''Never-an action so basel"
M Perigord looked him in the eyes, and spoke
gravely. Patience, Prince; the object is good
n r. A.