Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-03-16

"A friend of his in Paris. certain |
NJ. Featherly, has given us information |
which makes it possible that he came |
here, and the officials of the railway |
recollect his name on some luggage"
what was his name?"
'Rassendyll. sire" he answered. and |
I saw that the name meant nothing to |
him. But. glancing at Flavia, he low |
cred his voice as he went on: 1T is |
thought that he may have followed |
lady here. Has your majesty heard of |
a certain Nine. de Mauban?"
"Why, yes" said l, my eye involun- |
tarily travelling toward the castle |
"She arrived in Ruritania about the |
same time as this Rassendyll''
I caught the projects glance. He
was regarding me with inquiry writ
large on his face.
''Sapt" said /. Il must speak word
to the project. Will you ride on a few
PAGES with the princess?" And l add
ed to the project, Come, sir, what do
you mean:"
He drew close to me, and l bent in
the saddle.
IF he were in love with the lady?"
he whispered. Nothing has been
heard of him for two months" And
this time it was the eye of the project
which travelled toward the castle.
"Ies, the lady is there" l said quiet
ly. But l don't suppose Mr.. Rassen-
dyll-is that the name:-is.'
"The duke" he whispered, "does not
like rivals, SIRE
You're right there" said I. with all
sincerity. But surely you hint at a
very grave charge"
He spread his hands out in apology.
I whispered in his ear:
This is grave matter. Go back to
StrclSau'-
But, sire if have a clew here?"
"Go back to Strelsau," l repeated.
Tell the ambassador that you have a
clew. but that YOU must be left alone
for Il week or two. Meanwhile I'll
charge myself with looking into the
matter"
The ambassador is very pressing,
sire"
You must quiet him. Come. sir;
you see that if Your suspicious are cor
rect it is an affair in which we must
move with caution. We can have no
scandal. Mind YOU return tonight"
| He promised to obey me. and | rode
on to reioin my companions. Il little
easier in my mind. Inquiries after me
must he stopped at all hazards for q
week or two. and this clever official
had come surprisingly near the truth.
His impression might he useful some
day. but if he acted on it now it might
mean the worst to the king. Heartily
did | curse George Featherly for not
holding his tongue.
Well asked Flavia. 'have you fin
ished your businesS?"
Most satisfactorily" said I. Come.
shall we turn round? We are almost
trenching on my brothers territory"
We were. in fact. at the extreme end
of the town, just where the hill begins
to mount toward the castle. We cast
our eyes up, admring the massive
beauty of the old walls. and we saw a
cortege winding slowly down the hill.
On it came.
LET MS go back" said Sapt.
Il should like to stay" said Flavia,
and | refined my horse beside hers
We could distinguish the approach
ing party now There came first two
mounted servants in black uniforms.
relieved only by a silver badge. These
We're followed by car drawn by four
horses. On it, under Il heavy pail lay
Il coffin. Behind il rode a man in plain
black clothes. carrying his hat in his
hand. Sapt uncovered. and we stood
waiting. Flavia keeping by me and
laying her hand on my arm.
ut is one of the gentlemen killed in
the quarrel. expect" she said.
/ beckoned to Il groom.
"Ride and ask whom they escort"
ordered
He rode up to the servants. and
saw him pass on TO the gentleman who
rode behind.
ITS Rupert of Hentzau," whispered
Sapt
Rupert it was. and directly AFTER
ward. waving to the procession t
stand still. Rupert trotted up TO me
He was in n frock coat. tightly but
toned. and trousers. He wore an as
pect of sadness, and he bowed witt
profound respect Yet suddenly h,
smiled, and l smiled, too, for OLE
Sapt's hand lay in his left breast peck
ct, and Rupert and | both Guessed
: what lay in the hand inside the pocket
"Your majesty asks whom we es
cort," said Rupert. at is my dea
friend Albert of Lauengram."
= Sir" said |, mo one regrets the un
fortunate affair more than |. My ord
! nance, which l mean to have obeyed
= is witness to it,
Poor fellow" said Flavia softly
= and l saw Rupert's eyes flash at hel
: whereat l grew red, for if | had IN
o way Rupert Hentzau should not hav
:. de1iled her by so much as a glanc,
h Yet he did it and dared to let admire
+ ton be seen in his look.
@ "Your majesty's words are gracious.
n he said. Il grieve for my friend, We
q sire others must soon lie as he lie