Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-06-02

Supposing that Count Won Brett
STEMS bOasted frankness had led him
to make these statements, 1t Is proba'
BILE that Rhaetia would not long have
rejoiced In Il chancellor so wise and so
self sacrificing.
It was well enough for the old man
to declare his willingness to retire If
his master desired II, but lie had count.
ed, as people who risk all for great
ends do count, on not being taken at
his word. He loved power because he
had always had 1t, and without power
life would not be worth the living.
but 1t 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
young man tricked into love for an
adventures. Now neither rs chanccl-
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
first step toward interference. He
meant, since worse had come TO worst.
to 90 on relentlessly, and he would
hardly have considered 1t criminal TO
destroy woman Of the type to which
he assigned Helen Mowbray. provided
no means less stringent sutiiced 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 as to bribe Egon to
kidnap the girl and sacrifice himself
by marrying her out Of hand before
she had chance to learn that the
emperor was ready to meet her de-
mands. Egon had been attentive to
Miss Mowbray. 1t might well be be-
lieved even by the emperor that the
young man had been madly enough in
love to act upon his own initiative. un-
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 ut the station he
was not surprised to see Egon's hand.
some face prominent among others less
attractive on the crowded platform.
"well?" questioned the young man
as the old man descended.
I'm sorry to say 1t 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-
emyY
"Yes."
"Is anything stIrring?"
"Say any one,' and can answer you
more easily. Who do you think has ar
rived at the hotel?"
"The devil, probably, to complicate
matters"
"I've heard him called so, but good
ooking devil and devilishly pleasant. |
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
"Of Darkness. you've just named
him." Egon gave laugh at his own
repartee. but the chancellor heard mel
ther. His hard face frightened. That's
WE'LL" said he grimly. Here we have
Just the young man to see us through
this bad pass If he's as good looking
as ever and in his usual mood for mis-
chief If we eau iaterc5t him III this
affair, he may save Inc Il great deal OF
trouble and you misalliance.'
"But your wedding present to me-
began Egon blankly.
Don't distress yourself. Do what
you can to assist me, and. whatever
the end, you shall be my heir, | prom
ise you. Is the prince at the hotel
nowY'
"Yes. He had been to call on you at
your town house, he stopped his auto
mobile TO tell me, and, hearing from
me that you would be back this even
ing, he decided to stay all night at the
hotel, 80 that he could have chat
with you after your return, no matter
Mt what hour II might be. believe he
has left a note at your house"
II will 60 to him, and we can then
discuss Its contents together" said
Count Won Breitstein, and the chauf-
feur who drove his electric carriage
was told to 60 to the Hohenlangenwald
hotel.