Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-11
Copyright. 1908, BY Dodd. Mead AID Company

By E. Phillips Oppenheim,

1.-THE prince" her husband answered cold
ly, "can keep back his Information for a
few minutes. I am determined to place my
position clearly before all OF you who are
present here now. 1t is only since I have
Joined this society that 1 have been made
aware that in addition TO the general men,
bers of which body I believe that the
duchess and 1 are the sole representatives
here. there are special members, and men,
bers of the inner circle And / understand
that in connection with these there is a
great machinery of intrigue going on all
the time, with branches all over the world
spies everywhere with unlimited funds and
with huge opportunities of good or evil. In
effect have become an outside member Of
what is nothing more nor less than a very
powerful ana, 1t seems to me, daring secret
society"
$50 far you are concerned, duke" the
prince said. your responsibility ceases with
count of anything beyond. The time may
come when the inner circle may be opened
to you"
The duke coughed
You misapprehend me-" he said IT can
assure you am not anxious for promotion.
On the contrary, I stand before you an ag-
grieyed person. I have come to the con.
my wife's name. have been used for a plot,
the main points Of which have been kept
wholly secret from me-"
The prince f1icked his cigarette ash into
the CRATE.
my dear Dorset" he said gently. eff you
will allow me to explain"
=! thank you. Sake Leinitzer." the duke
said coldly but it is beginning to occur to
me that I have had enough OF your ex-
plana tons. 1t seemed natural enough to
me, and l must say we'll conceived that
some attempt should be made to modify the
views of, II not wholly convert, Reginald
Brott by means of the influence of a very
charming woman. 1t was my duty as
member Of the order to assist in this. and
the shelter Of my house and name were
freely accorded tc the countess. But 1t is
news to me to find that she was brought
here practically by force. That because she
was an inner member and therefore bound
to implicit obedience that she was dragged
away from her husband, kept apart from
him against her will, forced into endeavors
to make fool Of Brott even at the cost Of
her good name. And now, worst of all,
am told that very deeply laid plot on the
part of some Of you will compel her to
leave England almost at once, and that her
safety depends upon her inducing Reginald
Brott to accompany her..
"she has appealed to you." the prince
muttered.
"she has done nothing SO sensible" the
duke answered drily. 1.-The facts which I
have just stated are known to every one in
this room. perhaps know less than any
one. But I know enough for this. ]
quest, Sake LeinitZer, that you withdraw
the name Of myself and my wife from your
list Of members. and that you understand
clearly that my house is to be no more used
for meetings Of the society. formal or in
formal. And, further, though I regret the
apparent inhospitality OF my action, my
finger is now, as you see upon the bell, and
venture to wish YOU all a very good morn
ing. Groves" he added TO the servant who
answered the door, "tGe prince OF SAKE
LeintZer's carriage is urgently required"
The prince and Lady Carey descended the
broad steps side by side. She was laughing