Putnam patriot., 1908-09-18

Claiborne
 ter of fact and colorless. so that Shlr
 ley looked at him In surprise. but she
 saw that he was very grave, and then
 instantly some hidden feeling flashed
 In his eyes.
 There Is no doubt of it. IL WIS an
 atreeieus crime. The count was an old
 man and feeble when we saw him the
 other day. He wasn't fair game for
 an assassin" said Claiborne.
 No; he deserved a better fate." re-
 marked Armitage.
 He was grand old man." said
 Shirley as they left the shop and walk
 ed toward the carriage. Father ad
 nlired him greatly It is terrible 10
 think of his being murdered
 Yes: he was Il wise and useful
 man," observed Afmitase. still grave
 "de was one of the great men of his
 time"
 lis tone was not that of one who
 discusses casually a bit of news of the
 hour and Captain Claiborne paused Il
 moment at the carriage door. curious
 as to what Armitage might say fur
 ther
 And DOW we shall see began the young American. We shall see Johann Wilhelm die of old age within a few years al most and then Charles Louis. his son. will be the emperork king in his place. and if be should go hence without heirs his cousin Francis would rule in the house of his father. and Francis is corrupt and worthless and quite necessary ta the plans of destiny for the divine or der of kings"
 John Armitage stood beside the car 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. tomer and not cheerful enough 10 make a good drummer. By what sin, gular chance did he find you fin that shopT'
 "I found him. dearest brother if | must make the humiiiating disclosure :" q shouldn't have believed it. | hardly thought you would carry if 50 far"
 And while he may be 8 salesman Of imitation cut glass he has expen sive tastes"
 Lord help us. he hasn't been buy. Ing you a watchT' No: he was layishing himself on q watch for the foreman of his ranch in Montana"
  -Humph! You're chamng." Not fin the least He pnid-i couldn't help being . witness 10 the transaction actually paid goo francs for . watch to give 10 the foreman Of his ranch-his ranch. mind you. in Montana. U. S. A. He spoke of 1t in- eidentaliy. as thorgh he were always buying watches for cowboys Now. where does that leave usy' "Tm afraid il rather does for my theory. I'll look him up when l get home. Montana isn't . good hiding place any more But 1t was odd fhc way be acted about old stroebef's death. lou dost suppose he knew him. do your .ifs possible. Poor Count yon Stree bel, Many hearts are lighter now that he's done for" -Yes. and th.re wifi be something doing is anstrss nog that he's out Of the way"
 Four days passed in which they de voted themselves to their young broth CT. The papers were filed with sc- counts of Count von Sfroebel's death and specuiatlous as 10 it's effect on fine future Of Austria and the peace of Eu- ros.e. The riaibornes saw nothing of Armitage. Dick asked for him in the hotel and fonn6 that he had gone. buf would return in q few days. IT was on the morning of the fourth day that ArmitaSe appeared suddenly af the ho5el as Dick and his sister raitel for carriage 10 carry them to