Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1908-08-07

was one oc tie inaXims 10y which the
chancellor guided his own actions.
Though lc did hot give It away for the
benefit of others, and he had made the
most Of that prudent policy today.
He had toad his emperor no LEG. even
through the telephone. where rorgsr-
fitness may be pardonable, but he had
arranged his truths as skillfully as he
arranged his pawns on n chessboard.
1t was said by some who pretended
to know that Count Won Breitstein had
had a Jesuit for tutor; but, be this
rs 1t might. It was certain that when
he had goal TO reach he did not pick
his footsteps by the way. 4 flower
here or there WAS apt to be trodden
down, small life broken, q reputa
ton stained, but what Of that when
Rhaetia's standard was to be planted
upon the mountain top?
Surprising he had said to the EN-.
peror after his promise OF plain speak
ing: Your maJesty's journey today Is
n wild goose chase. l happen to know
that those you seek are still at their
hotel in Kronburg. When heard from
n:y brother Egon that they were leav-
ing Schloss I.yndalberg suddenly and
secretly 1 went Immediately to Kron-
burg and called upon the ladies. My
intention was to brighten them away
by telling them that the fraud was
found out and they had better disap-
pear decently Of their own accord un-
less they wished to be assisted over the
frontier. They actually dared refuse
to see me. alleging as an excuse the
sudden illness Of their companion.
which had prevented their leaving
KrOnburg. as they intended. WhileIwas
awaiting this answer I learned that
some person was telegraphing from
the railway station to the hotel man.
ager inquiring If the Mowbrays had
gone. l guessed this person to be your
majesty and ventured to use my in
huence strongly with the manager, so
successfully that I was permitted to
dictate the reply and obtain his prom
Use that the matter should be strictly
confidential. I judged that your maj
esty had meant to take the Orient ex-
press. but had missed II. and. as you
telephoned from the station, had no
doubt that you intended to follow
either by the next train or by a special.
Soon learned that no special had been
ordered by any one. I ascertained the
time Of the next train and sought your
majesty In it. Had my eloquence then
prevailed with you 1 should have urged
your return with me. and thus you
would have been spared the useless
Journey to Felgarde. As you remained
obstinately faithful. however, I con-
sidered myself fortunate to have you
out Of the way, 50 that I gould hurry
back, and, unhampered by your sus-
picions, set about learning still more
facts to Miss Mowbray's discredit or
1nventing a few II those which IN
doubtedly existed could not be unearth-
ed in time"
Supposing that Count Won Brett
STEMS boosted frankness had led him
to make these statements, 1t is proba-
bic that Rhaetia would not long have
rejoiced in a chancellor 20 wise and so
self sacrificing.
It was well enough for the old man
to declare his willingness to retire II
his master desired 1t. but he had count
ed. as people who risk all for great
ends do count, on not being taken ut
his word. He loved power because he
had always had It, and without power
life would not be worth the living,
but It was honestly for the country's
sake and for Leopold's sake rather
than his own that he desired to hold
and keep his high position. Without
his strong hand to seize the helm
should LeOpold's fail for some careless
instant he conscientiously believed that
the ship Of state would be lost.
He had done his best to disillusion
a young man tricked into love for an
adventures. Now neither as chancel-
lor nor friend could he make further
open protest unless favored by fate
with some striking new development.
There were nevertheless other ways
Of working, and he had but taken the
drst step toward interference. He
meant. since worse had come to worst.
to go on relentlessly. and he would
hardly have considered 1t criminal to
destroy q woman Of the type to which
he assigned Helen Mowbray, provided
no means less stringent sufficed to
snatch her from the throne Of Rhaetia.
There were many plans seething In
the chancellor's head. and Egon's help
might be necessary. He might even
have to go so far rs to bribe Egon to
kidnap the girl and sacrifice himself
by marrying her out Of hand before
she had q chance to learn that the
emperor was ready to meet her de-
mands. Egon had been attentive to
Miss Mowbray. 1t might we'll be be-
lieved even by the emperor that the
young man had been madly enough in
love to act upon his own initiative, IN
Influenced by his brother.
The chancellor's first act ON parting
with Leopold was to telegraph Captain
Won Breitstein to meet the train by
which he would return to Kronburg,
Therefore on arriving at the station he
was not surprised to see Egon's hand
some face prominent among others less
attractive on the crowded platform.
"Wellr' questioned the young man
as the old man descended.
I'm sorry to say it is very far from
well. But between US we shall; I hope,
Improve matters. You have kept your
self au courant with everything that
has happened in the camp of the en-
envy"
Eyes"
us anything stirring"
"Say any one and can answer you
more easily. Who do sou think has ar
rived at the hotels"
1.-THE devil. probably. to complicate
matters"
1--WE heard him called Sc but a good
looking devil and devilishly pleasant. I
met him IN his motor. In which he'd
driven into town from his new toy, the
hunting lodge in
What, You mean the Prince