Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-13

That is beside the question: replied MIR.
Grimm. I" Be good enough to give me that
He backed away as he spoke. kicked the door
shut with one heel, then leaned against 1t,
facing them.
''Or better yet he went on after moment.
burn it. There is lamp, in front OF you.
He paused for an answer. " 1t would be absurd
of me to attempt to take it by force, he added:
There was a long, tense silence The cowled
figures had risen ominously. NV Lady of
Mystery went white behind her mask, and her
fingers gripped fiercey: still she sat motionless.
Prince d Abruzzi broke the silence. How
did you get inn" he demanded. He was per-
fectly cool and self possessed
" Throttled the guard at the front door. took
him down stairs. and locked him in the coal
bin said Mr.. Grimm tersely. Il am waiting
for you to burn it."
"And how did you escape from-trom the
other placer
Mr.. Grimm shrugged his shoulders. THE
lamp is in front of you" he said.
And find your way here:' the Prince
pursued.
Again Mr.. Grimm shrugged his shoulders.
For an instant longer the Prince gazed at
him, and then he turned accusing eyes upon
the masked figures about him. :" Is there
traitor?" he demanded suddenly.
81 can relieve your mind on that point:
there is not" Mr. Grimm assured him pleas
antly. Just a final word. your Highness. II
YOU will permit me. | have heard everything
that has been said here for the last fifteen min
utes The details of your percussion cap there
are interesting l shall lay them before my
Government, and my Government may take
it upon itself to lay them before the British
Government You yourself said few minutes
ago that this compact was not possible until
this cap was invented and perfected. 1t isn't
possible the minute my Government IS warned
against its use. That will be my first duty"
"You are giving some very excellent reasons,
Mr. Grimm" was the deliberate reply, why
you should not be permitted to leave this room
alive"
Further" Mr.. Grimm resumed, Il have
been ordered to prevent the signing OF that
alliance at least in this country. 1t seems that
am barely in time If it is signed it
will be useless your own statement un-
less YOU murder me,-every man who signs it
will have to reckon with the highest power OF
the country. Will you destroy it:
81 will not" was the steady response. And
then. after a little. Mr.. Grimm. the inventor
of this little cap is receiving millions for 1T:
your silence would'b be worth just-how much?"
Mr.. Grimm's face went red then white again:
(Which would you prefer. an independent
income or-or the other thing,
Suddenly My Lady of Mystery tore the
mask from her face and came forward. Her
cheeks were scarlet, and anger famed IN the
wonderful blue-gray eyes. Mr. oIrimm mas no
price, | happen to know that. she declared
hotly land please understand that we are
not assassins!r There must be some middle
course. 80
There is only one thing to be done, Miss
Thorne" and Mr.. Grimm permitted his eyes
to linger moment on the flushed face. =" 1t IS
a problem that has only possible answer:
the destruction of that document, and the
departure of YOU and his Highness, Prince
d 'Abruzz. for Italy under my personal care
all the way
THE Prince glanced again at his watch, and
with a curious laugh picked up the cap
and walked over to the squat iron globe IN an
opposite corner of the room. He bent over 1t
for half minute, then Strengthened up.
THAT cap, Mr.. Grimm. he remarked casu-
ally has one disadvantage: When 1t IS at
tached to a mine, or a torpedo. it cannot be
disconnected without firing it. 1t Is attached.
He turned to the Others. 1t is needless to dis
cuss the matter further just now. 1t You Will
follow me, we will leave Mr. Grimm here.
lust q moment" and still Mr. Grlmms
voice was placid. ''.As | understand it, your
Highness, the mine there in the corner Is
charged"
YES. 1t just happened to be here for pur-
poses of experiment"
1.-THE cap is attached!
Quite right"
and at three o'clock. by Your watch, the
mine will be fired by wireless"
"Something Ike that. assented the Prince
cheerfuly.
Every WE'LL" Mr.. Grimm pulled chair up
against the door and sat down, crossing his
legs. On his knee rested the barrel of re-