Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-07-08

be the emperor-king in his place, and
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 good drummer. BY what sin
gular chance did he find you in that
shop?"
II found him. dearest brother, If l
must make the humiliating disclosure"
II shouldn't have believed it!
hardly thought you would carry it so
far"
"And While he may be salesman
of imitation cut glass he has expen.
sive tastes"
Lord help us, he hasn't been buy
Ing you watch?"
mo; he was lavishing himself on a
watch for the foreman of his ranch In
Montana"
"Humph! You're chafing."
"Not In the least. He paid-l
couldn't help being a 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, U. s. A. He spoke of 1t in
cidentally, as though he were always
buying watches for cowboys. Now,
where does that leave us?"
'I'm afraid it rather does for my
theory III look him up when l get
home. Montana isn't good hiding
place any more. But 1t was odd the
way he acted about old Stroebel's
death. You don't suppose he knew
him, do you:'
ITS possible. Poor Count Won Stree
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 Stroebels death
and speculations MS to its effect on the
future of Austria and the peace of Eu-
rope. The Claibones saw nothing of
Armitage Dick asked for him in the
hotel and found that he had gone, but
would return in a few days.
1t was on the morning of the fourth
day that Aimitage appeared suddenly
at the hotel as Dick and his sister
waited for carriage to carry them t.
their train. He had just returned, and
they met by the narrowest margin. He
walked with them to the door of the
Monte Rosa.
I'VE are running for the King Ed
ward and hope for day in London
before we sail. Perhaps we shall see
you one of these days in America
said Claiborne, with some malice. II
must be confessed, for his sisters ben,
eft.
'"That is possible. 1 am very fond
of Washington" responded Armitage
carelessly.
"of course you will look us up" per-
sisted Dick. 81 shall be at Fort Myer
for awhile, and it will always be a
pleasure
Claiborne turned for 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 very mysterious
and pulling affair"
Its horrible to think such thing
possible. He was wonderful old man.
But very likely they will find the MUIR
derer."
Yes; undoubtedly"
1.-THE secret police will scour Europe
in pursuit of the assassin" she OBJ
served
YES" replied Armitage gravely.
1.-THE truth will be known before we
sail, 10 doubt" said Shirley. 1.-The as
sassin may be here in Geneva by this
time"
"That is quite likely" said John Ar
mitage, with unbroken gravity. SIN
fact, | rather expect him here or
should be leaving today myself"
lie bowed and made way for the i'm
patient Claiborne, who gave his hand
to Armitage hastily and jumped into
the carriage
"Your imitation cut glass drummer
has nearly caused us to miss our train
Thank the Lord, we've seen the last of
that fellow"
Shirley said nothing, but gaZed out
Of the window with Il wondering look
in her eyes. And on the way to Liver
pool she thought often of Armitage's
last words. 81 rather expect him here
or should be leaving today myself"
he had said.
She was not sure whether, il it had
not been for those words, she would
have thought of him again at all. She
remembered him as he stood framed in
the carriage door-his gravity, his fine
ease, the impression he gave of great
physical strength and of resources of
character and courage
And so Shirley Claiborne left Geneva,
not knowing the curious web that fate
had woven for her nor how those last
words spoken by Armitage at the car
rlagc door were TO link her to strange
adventures at the very threshold of hel
American home.
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