The Sauk Centre herald., 1908-08-06

There is no doubt of it. 1t was ar
| atrocious crime. The count was an old
man and feeble when we saw him the
other day. He wasn't fair game fol
an assassin" said Claiborne.
mo; he deserved better fate" re-
marked Armitage.
He was a grand old man." said
Shirley as they left the shop and walk
ed toward the carriage. Father ad
mired him greatly. 1t is terrible to
think of his being murdered"
Yes; he was wise and useful
man. observed Armitage, still grave
He was one of the great men of his
time"
His tone was not that Of one who
discusses casually bit of news Of the
hour, and Captain Claiborne paused a
moment at the carriage door, curious
as to what Armitage might say fur
ther
And now we shall see"- began the
young American.
1--WE shall see Johann Wilhelm die of
old age within few years at most,
and then Charles Louis, his son. will
be the emperor-king in his place, and
II he should 60 hence without heirs his
cousin Francis would rule in the house
Of his father, and Francis is corrupt
and worthless and quite necessary to
the plans of destiny for the divine or
der of kings"
John Armitage stood beside the car
riage quite erect, his hat and stick and
gloves in his right hand, his left thrust
lightly into the side pocket of his coat.
"a queer devil" observed Claiborne
as they drove away. "A solemn Gus
toner and not cheerful enough to
make a good drummer. By what sin
gular chance did he find you In that
shop"
II found him. dearest brother. If
must make the humiliating disclosure. :"
II shouldn't have believed it!
hardly thought you would carry It so
far"
"And while he may be a salesman
of imitation cut glass he has expen-
sive tastes"
Lord help us, he hasn't been buy
ing you a watch?
"No; he was lavishing himself on q
watch for the foreman of his ranch in
Montana"
"Humph! You're chatting"
mot In the least. He paid-I
couldn't help being witness to the
transaction-he actually paid 500 francs
for watch to give to the foreman of
his ranch-his ranch. mind you, in
Montana. q. 8. A. He spoke of it in
cidentally, as though he were always
buying watches for cowboys. Now,
where does that leave us?'
"Pm afraid it rather does for my
theory. I'll look him up when l get
home Montana isn't good hiding
place any more. But it was odd the
way he acted about old Stroebel's
death. You don't suppose be knew
him, do your
Its possible Poor Count Won Stroe-
bel! Many hearts are lighter now that
he's done for"
Eyes. and there will be something
doing in Austria now that he's out of
the way"
Four days passed. in which they de-
voted themselves to their young broth
er. The papers were filed with ac-
counts of Count Won Stroebeps death
and speculations as to its effect on the
future of Austria and the peace Of Eu-
rope The Claibornes saw nothing Of
Armitage. Dick asked for him in the
hotel and found that he had gone, but
would return in few days.
1t was on the morning of the fourth
day that Armitage appeared suddenly
at the hotel as Dick and his sister
waited for carriage to carry them to
their train. He had just returned, and
they met by the narrowest margin. He
walked with them to the dooS of the
Monte Rosa.
1--WE are running for the King Ed
ward and hope for a day in London
before we sail. Perhaps we shall see
you one Of these days in America, {"
said Claiborne, with some malice, it
must be confessed, for his sisters ben
eft.
"That is possible. I am very fond
of Washington" responded Armitage
carelessly.
"Of course you will look US up," per-
sisted Dick. II shall be at Fort Myer
for awhile, and it will always be a
pleasure
Claiborne turned for a last word
with the porter about their baggage,
and Armitage stood talking to Shirley.
who had already entered the carriage.
"Oh, is there any news Of Count Won
Stroebel's assassin" she asked, noting
the newspaper that Armitage held in
his hand.
Nothing. It's a very mysterious
and puzzling affair.""
tits horrible to think such thing
possible. He was wonderful old man.
But very likely they will find the MUIR
derer."
Eyes; undoubtedly"
1.-THE secret police will scour Europe
in pursuit of the assassin" she OBJ
served.
"Yes," replied Armitage gravely.
"The truth will be known before we
sail, no doubt" said Shirley. 'The as