Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-19
CHAPTER XIII.


The great room was dimly enough lit. for
the windows looking out upon the street
were high and heavily curtained. The man
who sat at the desk was almost In the shad-
ow. Yet every now and then shaft OF
sunlight fell across his pale. worn face. A
strange combination this of the worker. the
idealist the man Of affairs. From outside
came the hum Of a great city. At times,
too, there came to his ears as he sat here
the roar of nations at strife, the fierce I'M
derneath battle of the great countries of
the world struggling for supremacy. And
here at this cabinet this man sat often. and
listened. strenuous. romantic, with the heart
of lion and the lofty imagination of an
eagle, he steered unswervingly on to her
destiny Of great people. Others might rest,
but never he.
He looked up from the letter spread out
before him. Lucille was seated at his COM
mand, few yards away. Mr.. Sabin stood
respectfully before him.
Monsieur lie Due" he said. ''this letter,
penned by my illustrious father to you. is
sufficient to secure my good offices. In what
manner can 1 serve your
your majesty" Mr.. Sabin answered. "in
the first place by receiving me here. In the
second by allowing me to lay before you
certain grave and very serious charges
against the Order OF the Yellow Crayon.
of which your majesty is the titular head
THE Order Of the Yellow Crayon," the
emperor said thoughtfully, 'is a society
composed Of aristocrats pledged to resist
the march Of socialism. 1t Is true that
am the titular head of this organization.
What have you to say about II?
only that your majesty has been wholly
deceived" Mr.. Sabin said respectfully. con-
corning the methods and the working of
this society. Its inception and Inauguration
came a member. My wife, Countess of Ra-
dantz, and sole representative of that an
cient family. has been one all her life"
The emperor inclined his head toward
Lucille.
IT see no reason" he said, when our
capitals are riddled with secret societies, all
banded together against US. why the great
families of Europe should not in their turn
come together and display a united front
against this common enemy. The Order Of
the Yellow Crayon has had more than my
support. It has had the sanction of my
name. Tell me what you have against 1t. j"
II have grave things to say concerning
it," Mr.. Sabin answered. land concerning
those who have willfuly deceived your maj
esty. The influences to be welded by the
society were mainly. 1 believe. wealth. ed
ucation and influence. There was no men
ton made of murder. Of an underground
alliance with the 'gamins' of Paris. the
dregs Of humanity. prisoners, men skilled In
the art Of secret DEATH.
The emperor's tone was stern. almost
harsh
Duo de souspennier. what are these
"Your majesty. I speak the truth" Mr..
Sabin answered firmly. There are In the
Order of the Yellow Crayon three degrees
of membership. The first, which alone your
what in England Is known as the Primrose
League. The second knows that beneath is
another organization pledged to Illustrate
the advance of socialism. If necessary by
the use Of their own weapons. The third.
whose meetings and signs and whose whole
organization Is carried on secretly, is al
x~,t%I 4,
inals and murderers. With it's great wealth
it has influence in America as we'll as In
every city of the world where there are po-
lice to be suborned. or desperate men to be
bought for tools. At the direction of this
third order Lavinski died suddenly in the
Hungarian house Of parliament. Herr Kret-
tingen was involved in duel, the result of
which was assured beforehand and Regi-
maid Brott the great English statesman,
was ruined and disgraced. 1 myself have
just narrowly escaped death at his hands,
and in my place my servant has been driven
esty, have brought proofs.
The emperor's face was like carven
image, but his tone was cold and terrible.
eff these things have been sanctioned,
he said, ''by those who are responsible for
my having become the head of the order.
they shall feel my vengeance
"Your majesty" Mr.. Sabin said earnestly.
"a chance disclosure, and all might come
to light. I myself could blazon the story
through Europe. Those who are responsible
for the third degree of the Order of the yell
low Crayon and for fe your majestys . igno
with the destiny of the greatest sovereign
of modern times"
"The Prince of Sake Leinitzer." the en-
peror said, '1s the acting head of the Or
der"
1.-THE Prince Of SAKE Leinitzer." Mr.. Sa-
bin said firmly, us responsible for the ex-
istence of the third degree. 1t is he who
has connected the society with a system of
corrupt police or desperate criminals In
every great city. 1t is the Prince of Sake
Leinitzer, your majesty, and his horde OF
your majesty's protection. l have yet an
other charge to make against him. He has
made, and is making still, use of the society
to further his own private intrigues. In
the name of the order he brought my wife
from America. She faithfully carried out
the instructions of the council. She brought
about the ruin of Reginald Brott. By the
rules of the society she was free then to
return to her home. The prince who had
been her sutton, declined to let her go. My
life was attempted. The story of the
prince'e treason is here, with the necessary
proofs 1 know that orders have been given
to the hired murderers of the society for
my assassination. My life even here is
probably an uncertain thing. But l have
told your majesty the truth. and the papers
which have brought with me contain proof
of my words"
The emperor struck bell and gave a few
orders to the young officer who Immediately
answered it. Then he turned again to Mr..
Sabin.
IT have summoned SAKE Lenitzer to Ber-
lin," he said. "These matters shall be gone
into most thoroughly. In the meantime
what can do for your?
1--WE will await the coming of the prince, "
Mr. Sabin answered grimly.
Lady Carey passed from her bath room
into a luxurious little dressing room. Her
letters and coffee were on a small table
near the fire. an easy chair was drawn up to
the hearthrug. She fastened the girdle of
her dressing gown, and dismissed her maid.
81 will ring for you in half an hour, An
nette," she said. 'See that I am not dis
On her way to the fireplace she paused
for a moment in front of a tall looking
glass, and looked steadily at her own re-
Election.
81 suppose" she murmured to herself,
''that 1 am looking at my best now.
slept we'll last night and bath gives one
color and white is so becoming Still,
don't know why I failed. She may be a
little better looking but my figure is as
good 1 can talk better, have learned how
to keep a man from feeling dull, and there
is my reputation. Because played at war
correspondence, wore a mans clothes and
didn't shrek when I was under fire, people
have chosen to make a heroine Of me. That
should have counted for something with
him-and 1t didn't. could have taken my
choice Of any man in London-and wanted
him. And have failed!'