The independent., 1907-01-24

the American is imprisoned"
They went silently across the grounds
to the left wing, but not without being
challenged, in each case the queen lift
ing her hood and showing her face.
1T is not fiattsring, count" she said
with shade of gravity in her words,
that the guards do not know surprise.
when they know what it is" The count
wisely remained silent.
When they reached the prison tower
the queen directed that they be taken
to the Americans CELL When the door
was opened for their entrance, they
found the prisoner sitting on stool,
smoking a cigarette and writing by the
light of a single candle. When he saw
woman's form he stood up, and wait
eL for her to speak. The queen threw
back her hood
"Haye you been making your will
Sir Americana" she asked.
II have" said he, "been writing to
my firm that I shall probably take
Saturdays steamer" and he stamped
out the half-smoked cigarette. II have
been waiting for a word from our con-
sui / presume, sir" he said, address,
ing Count Stephen, "that you have
come with the message T have been ex-
pecting."
The count looked askance at the
queen, who smiled.
"Are all Americans like you?" she
| asked, repeating her question of the
afternoon. "If So should like to bor-
United States consul stationed here.
and he will make certain demands on
your state department / do not think
those demands will be ignored" He
said this quite calmly.
80 you threaten us in our own pal
ace" said the queen hOtly by all
that's holy you surely will be shot at
back and let our law take it's course" :"
She turned her back on the prisoner,
and gaZed out of the window. AS the
soldiers and American marched across
the court yard she crossed to the win
dow and looked out. Her expression
of resentment changed. 'Tnsolent, yes,
and not polite, but man for all that"
she muttered. Then to Lady Louise
she said "Order the carriage. I want
some air. These Americans are so
wearing!"
Midnight was tolling from the big
tower. Queen Alicia sat in her private
chambers reading. Outside she heard
the tramp, tramp, Of the sentry. AS
laid down the book.
I'm four hours it will be sunrise" !"
she said refiectively. A sudden decis-
ion came to her. She pulled the bell
cord, which was answered instantly by
lady in waiting.
'Send for the officer of the night y
she commanded, "and tell him to bring
Count Stephen at once. Then she added
with care, ito the audience chamber" :"
Flinging wrap over her filmy dress
ing gown, she walked thoughtfully
along the silent hall Of the palace and
down to the floor below. Entering the
audience chamber, now dark and full
of specters of the tawney night, she
turned on the lights herself and told
the sleepy attendant to leave her alone.
She had not long to wait. The door
of the main hall was opened and Count
Stephen stood before her.
"You are surprised, Count?" she
asked.
Nothing your majesty ever does sur
prises me-" he answered, gazing quiz
zically at her.
THAT is WELL count" was the smil-
ing rejoinder, "for then you need never
lose your composure" Suddenly she
dropped all banter and asked "You
were at the army and navy cafe when
the American struck the Duke Lorde-
val?"
II was" came in even tones from the
count
stephen, / cared for you once-and
l do not dislike you now. She smiled
on him in the way that only queen
Alicia could smile on men.
You do not like the Duke LordevaI
because-well, for several reasons-but
you are gentleman and will not lie.
| ask you, nay, command you. as your
queen, to tell me why the American
struck the duke
Count Stephen appeared uneasy,
"Your majesty / did not hear all that
was said he replied
Don't try to tell me all-tell me
what you heard. Remember, | COM
mand you TO speak"
We'll. the duke had been drinking
and he said some things about n wcm-
an that no man who Is favored and n
gentleman, would breathe Ii was a
foolish story OF conquest. and would