Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-04-10

as he went out.
 He had bidden the chancellor await his return In the salon of the royal suit, which was always kept at his disposal when he appeared in the neighborhood. as he often did since purchasing the hunting lodge few miles out of Kronburg in the forest Other foreign royalties or lesser princes from the provinces occasional ly occupied the apartments also, and this handsome royal highness of today was not the only one whom the chan cellor of Rhaetia had visited there. He knew by heart the rich purple hang ings in the salon, with the double wolf head of Rhaetia stamped in gold at regular intervals on the velvet, and he sickened of their splendor now as the moments dragged and he remained alone.
 When half an hour had passed he could no longer sit still on the purple velvet sofa, but began walking up and down, his hands behind him. scowling at the full length oil painted portraits of Rhaetias dead rulers, glaring a question into his own eyes in the long, gold framed mirrors-a question he would have given his life to hear an swered in the way he wished Three-quarters of an hour had gone at last, and still the chancellor paced the purple drawing room, and still the prince did not come back to tell the news.
 Had the young man failed? Had that siren upstairs beguied him, as she had beguiled one stronger and greater than he? Was it possible that she had lured the whole secret of their scheme from the prince and then induced him to leave the hotel while her arch enc my fumed in the salon, awaiting his return?
 But, no; there were quick footsteps outside the door. The handle was turned At least his royal highness was not traitor.
 AS the chancellor had confessed, he was growing old. He felt suddenly very weak. His lips fell apart, trem bling yet he would not utter the words that hung upon them.
 Fortunately the prince read the ap- peal in the glittering eyes and did no. wait to be questioned
 Well, I've seen the lady and had q fn1l hA t,x which was, the old man felt, somehow different in tone from what it had been an hour ago.
 And is she the person you have known?"
 "Yes, she's person I have known. It's-it's all right about that plan of yours, chancellor She's going with me to the lodge"
 Heaven be praised. It seems al most too good to be true. When does she go?"
 At once-that is, as soon as she can get ready. She will dine with me, and my equerry will stop behind and eat the dinner I had ordered here"
 Magnificent, Then she will go with you alone? Nothing could be better. The presence of the alleged mother as chaperon would be a drawback"
 "Oh, no chaperon is needed for us two. The-er-mother remains at the hotel with la-a companion they have, who is i'll. It was-er-somewha difficult to arrange this matter, but I don't think the plot I have in mind now will fail. provided you carry through your part as smartly as I have carried mine"
 ''You may depend upon me. Your royal highness is marvellous. Am to understand that the lady goes with you quite of her own free will?"
 Quite. I fatter myself that she's rather pleased with the invitation. In few minutes I and the fair damsel will be spinning away for q drive in my red motor - you know, the one which always leave at the lodge, to be ready for use whenever I choose to pay flying visit. shall keep her out until it's dark to give you plenty of time, but before starting I'll telephone to my chef that. after all. I shan't be away and he must prepare dinner for two"
 T also will send telephone mes- sage" said the chancellor.
 'To Lecpold:"
 Yes. your royal highness. This time there will be no uncertainty fin my words 10 him. They will strike home, and even if he should not be intend ing to come to Kronburg tonight they will bring him"
 You are sure you know where 10 catch the emperOrf"
 Hell telephone me from Felgarde when lie has found those he sought are not there. as he will and I must be at my house to receive and answer his message. It will soon be time now"
 "very well: all that seems to arrange itself satisfactorily" said the prince. "our motor drive can be stretched out for an hour and q half The lady will then need to dress. Dinner can be kept back till half past s. if it would suit your book to break in upon us at the table. My dining room isn't very grand. but 1t has plenty of light and color and wouldn't make a bad back ground for the last act of this little drama. What do you say. chancellor? I've always thought that your success as a stage manager of the thester of nations was partially due to your eye for dramatic effects"
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