The Marshall republican., 1908-09-04

w DlNlNS''lH ~ meet the Tram ny
which he would return to KrOnburg
Therefore OH arriving at the station be
was not surprised to see Egon's hand
some face prominent among others less
attractive on the crowded platform.
"We!IE' questioned the young man
as the old ma descended.
Tin sorry TO say 1t is very far from
well. But between us we shall. I hone.
Improve matters. You have kept YOUR.
self an courant with everything that
has happened In the camp of the en-.
envy"
yes"
"Is anything stirrlng?'
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"
"Ive heard him called so. but n good
iooSin" devil and devilishly pleasant. |
met him In his motor. In which he'd
driven into town from his new toy. the
hunting lodge in
Whit! q mean the Prince
"Of Darkness. you've just named
him." Egon gave II laugh ut his own
repartee. bur the chancellor heard mel
ther. His hard face frightened. THAT'S
WELL" said he grimly. Here we have
Just the young man to zee us through
this bad pass II he's as good looking
as ever and in his usual mood for mis-
chief, If we can interest him in this
affair, he may save me Il great deal of
trouble and you u 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. Ii the prince at the hotel
now?"
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, so that he could have n chat
with you after your return. no matter
Mt what hour It might be. l believe he
has left u note at your house"
II will go to him. and we can then
discuss Its contents together" said
Count Won BreltSteln, and the chauf-
feur who drove his electric carriage
was told to go to the acknowledgements
hotel.
The prince. who would, the chancel-
lor hoped. become the deus ex machina,
was engaged in selecting the wines for
his dinner when Count Won Breitsteln's
card was sent In. He was pleased to
say that he would receive his visitor,
and, Egon having been sent about
his business. the chancellor was shown
into the purple drawing room of the
suit reserved for royalty.
AS he entered a young man Jumped
up from an easy chair. scattering
sheaves Of illustrated papers. and held
out both his hands. with a welcome.
my dear old friend!"
1t would have been vain to scour ths
world In quest Of q hsndsomer young
man than this one. Even Egon voa
Breitstein would have seemed q mere
good looking puppet beside him, anA
the chancellor rejoiced In the physical
perfection Of a prince who might prove
a dangerous rival for an absent en-
peror.
This Is the best Of good fOrtunsr'
exclaimed Count ron Breitstein. "Egsa
told me you were here, and withost
waiting to get the note he said VOC
had left for me | came to you straight
from the railway station"
splendid! And now you must dine
with me. 1t was that I asked of you
in my note. Dinner early, a serious
talk and an antidote for solemnity N
a visit to the ~Leopoldhalle to see Mile.
Fellce from the Folies Bergere do her
famous fire and fountain dance. A
box, curtains half drawn, no one need
know that the chancellor helps his
young friend amuse himself"
81 thank your royal highness for the
honor you suggest, and nothing could
give me greater pleasure If ! had not
u suggestion to venture, In place "
yours, which ! believe may suit yoa
better. think ! know OF what yea
wish to talk with me, and I desire the
same. while the business ! have most
at heart
"Ah, your business Is my business
then?"
II hope you may so consider II. In
any case 1t Is business which must 10
carried through now or never and is OF
life and death Importance to thoss
whom 1t concerns. How It's to 10
done or whether done at all may d.
pend on you, II you consent to interest
yourself, and it could not be In more
competent hands. II I'd been given
my choice of an assistant out of the
whole world l should have chosen your
royal h%ighness."
'"rhis sounds like III adventure"
"It may be an adventure and at tho
same time an act OF justice"
"Good, Although 1t was not In search
of an adventure that l anne to you,
any more than II vas the hope of game
which brought me ON a sudden impulse
to my little hunting lodge. sim ! trust
hav a alwava tha Instinct NJ N snarta-