The Washington times., 1906-05-20
CHAPTER II-(Continued).
Copyright, 1906. The BobOs-Merrin compan

Copyright, 1906. The Bobbs- Merrill Company
"You can scarcely expect me 10 give
a supper to a stranger and then sing
for him. besides" said Gretchen.
chill again stealing into her tones.
These Americans," she observed to
her companion in French.
I laid aside my cigar, approached tbs
piano. and sat down. I struck a few
chords and found the instrument to
be in remarkably good order. played
a Chopin Polonaise, I tinkled Grieg's
Papillop. then 1 ceased.
''That is to pay for my supper"
/ explained
Next played lie Courier. and when
I had finished that I turned again.
rising.
That is to pay for my horses sup
per-" 1 sai7
Gretchen's good humor returned.
Whoever you are. sir" her tone
no longer repellent, you are anus
ing. Pray, tell us whom we have the
honor 10 entertain?''
I haven't the vaguest idea who my
hostess s."-evasively.
1T is quite out of the question. You
are the intruder"
call me Mr.. Intruder, then" said
1.
1t was, you will agree. a novel ad-
venture. 1 was beginning to enjoy It
hugely.
''Who do you suppose this fellow is?"
Gretchen asked.
He says he is an American, and I
believe he is. What Americans are in
Barscheit?"
1 know Of none at all What shall
we do to get rid of him?"
All this was carried on with IN
studied rudeness. They were women
of high and noble quality: and as I
was an interloper, 1 could take no ex-
ception TO a conversation in a language
/ had stated did not understand. II
they were rude. I had acted in man
ner unbecoming a gentleman Still, I
was somewhat on the defensive. I
took out my watch. My hour was up.
I regret that must be on 1 said
ruefully- 1T is much pleasanter here.
than on the road
I can not ask you to remain here.
You Will find the inn a very comfort
able place for the night" was Gretch-
ems suggestion.
Before 1 go, may I ask in what
manner I might serve as a witness 20
Ere the words had fully crossed nv
lips 1 recognized that nv smartness
had caused me 10 commit an unpar-
donable blunder for a man who wished
TO shop up well in an adventure of
this sort. CBut fate had a hand in II,
as presently you shall see)
Gretchen laughed, but the sound was
harsh and metallic. She turned to her
companion. who was staring at me
with startled eyes.
What did I tell you? You can not
tell gentleman in the candIe-Iight."
To me she said: I thought as much.
You have heard Faust in Paris. but
you know nothing of the French Ian
guage. You claimed to be a gentle
man, yet you have permitted US to
converse in French"
WAS it polite Of you to use it, I
asked. AN this" with a wave Of the
hand. appears mysterious. This Is
not n residence one would expect 10
find inh -bited-and by two charming
women" 1 bowed. Your presence
here is even less satisfactorily ex-
planned than mine. If l denied the
knowledge of French it was because 7
wasn't sure or my surroundings. 1t
was done in self-defense rather than
in the desire to play a trick. And in
this language you speak of witnesses.
of papers, Of the coming Of a man
you do not trust. 1t looks very much
like conspiracy" I gathered up my
gloves and riding-crop. believed
that 1 IIad extricated myself rather
we'll
This is my castle" said Gretchen.
gently shaking off the warming hand
of her companion. IF I desire to oc-
cupy it for a night. who shall gainsay
me2 III leave the latches down, that
is due to the fact that I have no one
TO fear Now. sir. you have eaten the
bread of my table, and I demand TO
know who you are. i you DO not
tell me at once. I shall be forced to
confine you here till I am ready to
leave
"Confine mel''-nonplused. This was
more than I had reckoned on
Yes" She reached out TO strike the
gong. q can not be blamed for sur
rendering 50 tamely. I didn't know
that the old servitor was the only man
Rround)
II am the American consul at
Barscheit."
The two women drew together in
stinctively, as II one desired 10 protect
the other from some unknown calam-
ity What the deuce was it all about?
All at once Gretchen thrust aside her
friend and approached. The table was
between US. and she rested her hands
upon It. Our glances met and clashed.
did the duke send you here?, she
demanded repeIlantly.
'"Thc duze2" l was getting deeper
than ever "The duke2"
Yes I am tie Princess Hide
garde."
III.
The Princess Hildegarde Of Bar
scnaitt Nv nlnNas and ridire--crnrn