The San Francisco call., 1907-02-24
CHAPTER XIII
Bribe


lently 1t was Grooton whose figure
looned Up almost Immediately before
us-Crooton, bareheaded and breath
less.
What is itE" I exclaimed quickly.
4 think. sir. that you had better
return" he painted
He pointed over his shoulder toward
the Brand" and ] understood In a
moment was on my way thither. run
ming as 7 had not done since my col
lsEe days. / stumbled over antheaps
and more than once I set my foot in a
rsbbit-hole, but somehow I kept my
balance. AS I neared the cottage I
siackened my speed and proceeded more
steaithily. ] drew close 10 the window
and peered in. Grooton had been right,
indeed, to fetch me. The Prince was
standing before my desk, with a bun
die Of papers IN his hand. I threw
open the door and entered the room.
Swift though my movement had been.
a seconds difficulty with the catch had
given the Prince his opportunity. He
was back in his easy chair when I
entered, reclining there with half
closed eyes. He looked up at me with
wen simulated surprise.
You are soon back, Mr.. Ducatne," he
remarked calmly. Did you forget
something"
7 forgot" I answered. struggling to
recover my breath, TO lock up my
desk"
AN admirable precautien." he ad-
nitted. watching as / gathered my
papers together, especially IL one has
valuables. II is an exposed spot. this,
and very lonely"
7 am curious" said. leaning
against the table and facing him; II
am curious to know which OF my poor
possessions can POSSIBLY be of interest
or OF value to the Prince OF Majors"
The calm hauteur OF his answering
stare was excellently done. I had q
glimpse now Of the aristocrat.
You speak IN enigmas, young man."
he said. Kindly be more explicit"
Ny language can scarcely be more
enigUatic than your actions" ! an
swered. 7 was fool enough to trust
you. and I left YOU here alone But
YOU were not unobserved, Prince. My
full. IL was he who summoned me
back"
Indeed" he murmured.
4 might add" I continued. that I
took the liberty sf looking in through
the side window there before entering"
IF Il amused you 10 do so, or TO set
your servant TO spy upon me-" he said.
7 see no reason to object. But your
meaning IS stin unexplained"
The onus OF explanation" L de-
olared, appears 60 me to rest with you,
Prince. / offered the hospitality OF my
room presumably 70 a gentleman-not
10 8 person who would seize that ep-
portunity 10 examine my private
papers"
you speak with assurance. Mr.. Du-
caine"
The assurance OF knowledge" an
swered I saw you at my desk from
outside"
You should consult an oceulist." he
declared. i have not left this chair.
MY foot is still too painful"
You lie well, Prince" answered,
but not well enough"
He looked at me thoughtfully.
7 am endeavoring." he said. TO ac-
commodste myself TO the customs Of
this wonderful country OF yours. In
France one sends ones seconds. What
do you do here TO a man who calls you
q liargs'
we treat him." I answered hotly,
as the man deserves TO be treated who
abuses the hospitality of a stranger.
and places himself in the position Of a
common thief"
The Prince shrugged his shoulders
lightly, and helped himself to one OF
my cigarettes.
You are very young. Mr.. Ducsine."
he said. looking at me thouzhtfully-
You have no doubt your career to
make fn the world. So, IN a greater
sense Of the word. have I. I propose,
n you viii allow me, to be quite frank
with you"
II have no wish for your condolences,
+ Prince" I answered. They cannot
possibly concern or interest me"
DO not be too sure OF that" he
ssid. Like all young men Of your
age. you jump too readily at conclu-
sions- II is very possible that you and
7 may be OF service TO one another, and
I may add that those who have been of
service to the Prince of Majors have
seldom had cause TO regret it
This conversation I interposed.
! seems to me TO be beside the point.
I have no desire to be OF service TO
YOU. Ny inciinations are rather the
other way
The matter may become more clear
( TO you II you viii only curb your i'm
patience. my young friend" the Prince
said. 1T is only my ambition to serve
my country. to command the gratitude
I OF q nation which today regards both
me and mine with mingled doubt and
suspicion have ambitions, and
! ShOUlQ De ah easy duO 6SucEOuS HdSteI
I to serve"
Il am honored with your confidence.
4 Prince. but I still fail to see how these
! matters concern me-" 1 said, setting
my teeth hard
with your permission I will make
Il quite clear" he continued. For
years your War Office has suffered
from constant dread Of an invasion by
France. The rumors OF our great pro-
1 jected maneuvers in the autumn have
inspired your statesmen with an al
most psralyzing fear. They see in
these merely an excuse for marshaling
and equipping an irresistible army
within striking distance OF your en-
pIre. Personally I believe that they
are entirely mistaken IN their estimate
OF my country's intentions. That, how
ever, is beside the mark You follow
me-
Perfectly I assured him. This IS
most interesting, although as yet Il
seems TO me equally Irrelevant"
Your War Office" the Prince con-
tinued. has established a secret coun-
ell Of defense, whose only task sc Is
to plan the successful resistance 70
that invasion. II ever II should take
place You. Mr.. Ducaine. are, be-
ilieve. practically the secretary Of that
council You have to elaborate the di-
Eests Of the meetings, TO file schemes