Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-03-20

lessly.
 "A young countryman of his, sire-a
 man of some positlon-is missing. His
 friends have not heard from him for
 two months, and there Is reason to be-
 lieve that he was last seen in Zenda."
 Flavia was paying little attention. I
 dared not look at Sapt.
 What reason?'
 "A friend of his in Paris, certain i NJ. Featherly. has given us information which makes it possible that he came l here. and the officials of the railway recollact his name on some luggage"
 What was his name?" i "Rassendyll, sire" he answered. and saw that the name meant nothing to him. But. glancing at Flavia. he low cred his voice as he went on: Ut is , thought that he may have followed lady here Has your majesty heard of certain Mime de Mauban?"
 "Why. yes" said I. my eye involun- tarily travelling toward the castle. i "She arrived in Ruritania about the same time as this Rassendyll" caught the prefect's glance He was regarding me with inquiry writ i large on his face.
 ''Sapt." said I, T must speak word to the prefcct. Will you ride on few paces with the princess:" And I add
 ed to the prcfect, Come, sir, what do you mean:'
 He drew close to me, and I 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 prefcct which travelled toward the castle.
 "Yes. the lady is there." said quiet ly. But don't suppose Mir. Rassen- | dyll-is that the name?-is.''
 "The duke" he whispered, "does not like rivals. sire"
 You're right there." said !. with all sincerity. But surely you hint at a very grave charge"
 He spread his hands out in apology. whispered in his ear:
 This is a grave matter. Go back to Strelsau''-
 But. sire. if have a clew here?'
 "Go back 10 Strelsau," I repeated. Tell the ambassador that you have . clew, but that you must be left alone for week or two. Meanwhile I'll charge myself with looking into the natter"
 "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 rejoin my companions. little easier in my mind. Inquiries after me must be stopped at all hazards for week or two. and this clever official had come surprisingly near the truth. His impression might be useful some day. but if he acted on it now it might mean the worst to the king. Heartily did I 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. admiring the massive beauty of the old walls. and we saw cortege winding slowly down the hill. On it came.
 Let us go back" said Sapt.
 "I 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 silver badge. These were followed by car drawn by four horses. On it. under a heavy pail. lay coffin. Behind it rode 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.
 Tt is one of the gentlemen killed in the quarrel. expect" she said.
 l beckOned to groom.
 Ride and ask whom they escort" ordered.
 He rode up to the servants. and I saw him pass on to the gentleman who rode behind .-..
 Its Rupert of Hentzau." whispered Sapt.
 Rupert it was. and directly after ward. waving 10 the procession to stand still. Rupert trotted up to me He was In frock coat, tightly but toned. and trousers. He wore an as- pect of sadness. and he bowed with profound respect. Yet suddenly he smiled. and smiled. too, for old Sapt's hand lay in his left breast pock- et. and Rupert and I both guessed what lay in the hand inside the pocket
 ''Your majesty asks whom we es- cort." said Rupert. Tt is my dear friend Albert of Lauengram."
 ''Sir." said I. mo one regrets the un- fortunate affair more than I. My ordi- nance, which I mean to have obeyed. is witness to it."
 Poor fcllow." said Flavia softly, and I saw Rupert's eyes fash at her. whereat I grew red, for if I had my way Rupert Hentzau should not have defiled her by so much as glance. Yet he did it and dared to let admira-