Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-03-15
CHAPTER x.

(MY T was the custom that the
 XIII prefect of police should send I6e1S1I every afternoon report to
 s4Sy me on the condition of the capital and the feeling of the people
 The document included also an ac. count of the movements of any persons whom the police had received instruc- tions to watch. Since I had been in Strelsau Sapt had been in the habit of reading the report and telling me any items of interest which it might con- tain. On the day after my adventure in the summer house he came in as was playing hand of ecarte with Fritz von Tarlenheim.
 "The report is rather full of interest this afternoon" he observed, sitting down.
 Do you find" I asked, "any men, tion of certain fracasT
 He shook his head with a smile.
 T find this first" he said: His highness the Duke of Strelsau left the city (so far as it appears, suddenly, accompanied by several of his house. hold. His destination is believed to be the castle of Zenda, but the party travelled by road and not by train. NM. De Gautet, Bersonin and Detch- ard followed an hour later, the last named carrying his arm in a sling. The cause of his wound is not known. but it is suspected that he has fought duel. probably incidental to love affair.""
 That is remotely true.' observed. very we'll pleased to find that I had left my mark on the fellow.
 Then we come to this,' pursued Sapt: "'Mme. de Mauban, whose move ments have been watched according to instructions. left by train at mid day. She took ticket for Dresden "-
 Its an old habit of hers" said I.
 "'The Dresden trains stop at Zen da.' An acute fellow. this. And final ly listen to this: The state of feeling in the city is not satisfactory. The king Is much criticised you know he's told to be quite frank for taking no steps about his marriage. From in- quiries among the entourage of the Princess Flavia her royal highness Is believed to be deeply offended by the remissness of his majesty. The com mon people are coupling her name with that of the Duke of Strelsau. and the duke gains much popularity from the suggestion. l have caused the announcement that the king gives n ball tonight in honor of the princess to be widely diffused, and the effect Is good.'"
 "That Is news to me-" said 1.
 'Oh, the preparations are all made" laughed Fritz. I've seen to that"
 Sapt turned to me and said in a sharp. decisive voice:
 You must make love to her tonight, you know"
 "I think 1t very likely shall if I see her alone" said I. Hang it, Sapt, you don't suppose I find it difficult?'
 Fritz whistled a bar or two: then he said: You'll find 1t only too easy. Look here. hate telling you this. but I must. The Countess Helga told me that the princess had become most at tached to the king. Since the corona iion her feelings have undergone a marked development. It's quite true that she Is deeply wounded by the kings apparent neglect"
 "Here'sa kettle of fish.' groaned.
 Tut, tut.' said Sapt. T suppose you've made pretty speeches to a girl before now. That's all sine wants"
 Fritz. himself lover. understood bet fer my distress. He laid his hand on ,ny shoulder. but said nothing.
 'T think. though" pursued that cold blooded old Sapt. that you'd better make your offer tonight"
 Good heavens.~
 "Or. at any rate. 20 near to 1t. and I shall send a semioflcial to the papers,
 I'll do nothing of the sort-no more will you- said I. 'I utterly refuse to take part in making fool of the prin- eess.-
 Sapt looked at me with his small keen eyes. A slow. cunning smile pass ed over bis face
 Al right. lad: all right said he. we mustn't press you too hard. Soothe her down q bii. if you can. you know. Now for Nichaei-' "Oh. hang MichaeI-' said I. Hell 10 tomorrow Here. Fritz. come for a stroll in the garden
 Sapt at once yielded. His rough manner covered a wonderful tact and. ss I came to recognize more and more. ! remarkable knowledge of human na- lure. Why did he urge me go little about the princessE Because he knew that her beauty and my arior would ,arTy me further than all his argu- nents and flat the less I thought ,bout the thing the more likely was I .o do it. He must have seen the un- lappiness he might bring on the p-in- ,ess. but that went for nothing with jim Can I ssy confidently that he rss wrong. If the king were rsstor- .d- Ire princes must turn to him. sther knowing CT not knowing the harge And if the kirz were not re- torel to rs: Ii vas a subject tast I