Evening journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1907-1913, 1908-01-04
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who do you suppose this fellow
is?' Gretchen asked.
"He says he is an American, and
believe he is. What Americans are in
Barscheit?"
Il know of none at ALL What shall
we do to get rid Of him."
All this was carried on with I'M
studied rudeness. They were women
of high and noble quality; and as
was an interloper, could take no ex-
ception to conversation in Ian
guage / had stated | did not under
stand. If they we're rude, ! had acted
In manner unbecoming a gentleman
Still, | was somewhat on the defcn-
sive. took out my watch. My hour
was up.
Il regret that must be off, ! said
ruefully. 1T is much pleasanter here
than on the road"
Il can not ask you to remain here
You will find the inn very comfort
able place for the night" was Crotch
ems suggestion.
Before go, may ask in what
L
Ere the words had fully crossed my
lips | recognized that my smartness
had caused me to commit an unpar-
donable blunder for man who wished
to show up well in an adventure Of
this sort. (But fate had hand in 1t,
as presently you shall see.)
Gretchen laughed, but the sound
was harsh and metallic. She turned
to her companion, who was staring at
me with startled eyes.
What did tell you? You can not
tell gentleman in the candle-light."
To me she said: 81 thought as much.
You have heard Faust in Paris. but
you know nothing Of the French Ian
guage You claimed to be a gentle.
man, yet you have permitted US to
converse in French"
Was it polite of you to use it,"
asked. "All this with a wave of the
hand, appears mysterious. This is
not residence one would expect to
find inhabited-and by two charming
women!" | bowed 'Your presence
here is even less satisfactorily ex-
planned than mine. If l denied the
knowledge of French it was because
| wasn't sure of my surroundings. 1t
was done in self-defense rather than
in the desire to play a trick. And in
this language you speak of witnesses,
of papers, ofathe coming of man you
do not trust. 1t looks very much like
IL, 7
gloves and riding-crcp. believed that
| had extricated myself rather well.
This is my CASTLE" said Gretchen,
gently shaking off the warning hand
of her companion. IF ! desire to oc-
cupy it for night, who shall gainsay
me? If leave the latches down, that
is due to the fact that have no one to
fear. Now, sir, you have eaten the
bread of my table, and / demand to
know who you are. If you do not tell
me at once, | shall be forced to con-
fine you here till am ready to leave
"Confine me!"-nonplussed. This
was more than / had reckoned on.
Yes" She reached out to strike
the gong. q can not be blamed for
surrendering so tamely. / didn't know
that the old servitor was the only man
around.)
Il am the American consul at
Barscheit."
The two women drew together in
stinctively, as if one desired to pro-
tect the other from some unknown
calamity. What the deuce was it all
about? All at once Gretchen thrust
aside her friend and approached. The
table was between US, and she rested
her hands upon it. Our chances met
and clashed.
did the duke send you here?" she
demanded repellently.
The duke?" | was getting deeper
than ever. "The duke?"
Yes. am the Princess Hildegarde."
CHAPTER III.