The Washington herald., 1906-10-20

himself remaining outside ana closing the
door behind them.
The friends found themselves in a large
and stately apartment decorated with all
the ornate extravagances Of the early
Italian renaissance; it was brilliantly il
Illuminated. and its walls hung with many
fine oil paintings A large table occu-
Died the center of the room, and about
this table were seated seven gentlemen.
six OF whom were attired in primary din
ner suits. The seventh wore the richly
colored state robe OF cardinal and on
mis- head q scarlet biretta. He occupied
the head of the table; on his left hand
sal King Humbert whose stern and war
like features were set In an expression
cold and impassive. The other five gen
tlemen were unacceptable behind heavy
velvet masks.
Mr. Perigord stood at the foot Of the
liable Immediately opposite the cardinal.
He appeared to have been just speaking
and to have paused at the interruption.
The eight gentlemen stared for some
space at Cressinghsm and Oeltjen with
out speaking.
Cressingham, who recognized King
Humbert and thought that he could also
recognize the Kings Vis-a-vis. made (as
well as Oeltjen) a reverent obeisance. He
was profoundly moved at finding himself
in such august company and although be
had been in a measure prepared, he, neV-
ertheless, experienced a shock so great
that for the first time in his life he Yves
touched with nervousness and veritable
timidity. Having bowed, he unconscious
~ drew himself up like a soldier and stood
at the salute, enduring the examination
with tremOTs hitherto unknown TO him.
Oeltjen, who had doubtless known better
what to expect, was more at ease.
Perigord broke a silence whose intensity
was growing painful AS | said before,
your eminence and your majesties," he
began gravely, speaking In French. his
deep, powerful voice filing the room with
heavy waves of sound; Il shall person
ally answer for these gentlemen. Lord
Francis CressiRgham" (Cressingham In
voluntarily stepped forward has already
rendered our cause important services.
Ludwig, Count Won Oeltjen, has for the
past two weeks been my private secretary.
his rustwOrthiness ] have amply
proved"
Iie cardinal answered in a thin, rasp-
ing voice: Your assurance. Mr.. Peri-
CORD. is sufficient recommendation. If you
are satisfied. y. are more than pleased 10
welcome the gentlemen among US. is il
not SOP"
He looked slowly around the table King
Humbert Tor answer slightly nodded. ana
/ the six gentlemen Immediately removed
their masks. Cressingham stood petrificd
to meet the open gaze of five reigning
! monarchs and the crown prince OF Italy,
/ who sat beside the King. his father. AS
well as the prince. the cardinal. King
Humbert. and Perigord. the council was
composed Of the Gar Nicholas OF Russia.
of Austria, and the King OF Sweden.
/ They al slightly bowed to the two as
tonished ihtruders: then, apparently dis
missing the matter frem their thoughts.
glanced inquiringly toward the cardinal
| who seemed 20 act as president
THE archduke-is now twenty min
utes late said his eminence. doubtless
ne has been detained. I think we need
not wait farther. but proceed 20 business. %
Cressingham heard the name then ut
tered with start. for ne had at last
rightly guessed the identity of Prince
Carlos
The others ali signided approval
PerigOTd Immediately beckoned 10 won
( OeItjen and. pointing TO a mass of pa
pers on che table al his left hand. gave
/ some direction
The count selected a certain document.
which he handed to his master and fell
back step.
Cressingham was thus left lonely. but
with plenty of matter 10 occupy his eye
and thoughts
/ Perigord divided the document given
/ him in half. and handed one portion 10
/ Won Oeltjen with a mu;tered word The
count took the paper Immediately and
! presented it with a low reverence to the
! cardinal
..~rt,..t ,-~.,,,- ~, f-,-.,,,e, -- -.;s E,-f-t
/ SIS a duplicate account Of my expendi-
/ lures during the last three months. The
sum total amounts to e4l,00O English. II
! il pleases YOU, I shall read aloud the
/ items in order That your eminence may
/ check the figures.
/ What Is the balance In hand?" asked
/ the kaiser.
! "elo9.0oo, your majesty.
/ Then, said the kaiser 'there Is no
/ immediate need Of further contribution
/ think. my brothers. we may safely leave
matters of accounts to the discretion OF
/ his eminence. For my part. I must be
/ at Berlin tomorrow. and would like 10
set out the first moment possible.
A hum of approval followed The car
dinal bowed. and putting the sheets aside
addressed Perigord, who continued stand
ing
ed, sir. subject to my subsequent rati6-
cation. We shall be pleased now to hear
your report "
/ Oeltjen handed Perigord second doe
ument, which he opened and conned FOR
| some moments in silence. Cressingham
| took this opportunity to TegaTd~him, and
/ was struck with the mans dignity and
calm repOse of manner. Even in an as
semblage of kings he stood forth fig
/ ure full Of strength and grandeur. suf-
/ fering nothing by comparisons. And this
| although most of his features considered
! separately, were incomparably ugly. But
his forehead was so broad and noble. his
/ air and general appearance so manifest
I ~ full of lofty purpose, and the man him.
self SO large and powerful a presence. that
/ his very LONELINESS was pleasing and bis
/ tout ensemble carried invincibly 10 the
dullest mind "a restful conviction OF ca
pability and impeTviOus integrity
Your eminence. your majesties he
/ presently began: 1T was first my inten-
/ ton to recite my progress step by step
/ but lest such a course might weary YOU
| / shall condense as much as possible
Three months ago / informed you that ]
I had at last discovered a key to the mys-
+ teTy which has bafTied us so long BY the
! expenditure Of q large sum OF money ]
was able to purchase from a dying and
I repentant man, who, wishing TO provide
/ for his children. wes thus induced Il. par
/ TALLY betray his trust, a priceless piece OF
/ information regarding the three iniqui-
1 tous chiefs of nihilism-'
Here he was interrupted. for the door
/ opened and Prince Carlos entered the
/ apartment. He made a long apology for
| his delay TO the president, and was pro-
vided with seat
On seeing Cressingham he started VI
with scOwl, and seemed about to speak
/ The CHEERS regarded him expectantly, but