Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1908-08-13

But the woman who wore them was dead, and 1 was so certain as to
how she had died that without an instants hesitation 1 dropped on my
knees beside her and placed my hand above her heart. My fingers
again touched the thin slit of a wound. 1 had no doubt in my mind
but that this was the Russian princess, and when [ lowered the candle
to her face l was assured that this was St Her features showed the
finest lines of both the Slav and the Jewess; the eyes were black, the
hair blueback and wonderfully heavy, and her skin, even in death,
was rich in color. She was a surprisingly beautiful woman.
II rose and tried to light another candle with the one 1 held, but I
found that my hand was so unsteady that I could not keep the wicks
together. 1t was my intention to again search for this strange dagger
which had been used to kill both the English boy and the beautiful
princess, but before 1 could light the second candle 1 heard footsteps
descending the stairs, and the Russian servant appeared in the door
way.
"My face was in darkness, or l am sure that at the sight of it h.
would have taken alarm, for at that moment | was not sure but that
this MAJ himself was the murderer. His Owl face was plainly visible
to me in the light from the hall, and 1 could see that it wore a ex-
preston of dull bewilderment. 1 stepped quickly toward him and took
a firm hold upon his wrist.
gone
"'Who have gomez I demanded. who else has been hereY
""The two Engishmen, he said.
"tWhat two %Englishmen? 1 demanded. what are their namesY
"The man now saw by my manner that some question of great
moment hung upon his answer, and he began to protest that he did
not know the names of the visitors and that until that evening he had
never seen them.
"I guessed that it was my tone which frightened him, so I took my
hand off his wrist and spoke less eagerly.
"IIow long have they been here? I asked, and when did they
go?
"He pointed behind him toward the drawing-room. ~~~-l
"'One sat there with the Princess he said; the other came after
IL had placed the coffee in the drawlngroom. The two Engishmen
talked together and the Princess returned here to the table. She sat
there in that chair, and I brought her conac and cigarettes. Then 1
sat outside upon the bench. 1t was a feast day, and I had been drink
ing. Pardon, Excellency, but 1 fell asleep. When l awoke, your Ex-
ceHency was standing by me, but the Princess and the two English
men had gone. That is all I know
ri believed that the man was telling me the truth. His fright had
passed, and he was now apparently puzzled, but not alarmed.
"You must remember the names of the Engishmen,' I urged.
Try to think. When you announced them to the Princess what name
did you gvcY
CAT +Lc ouaction 70 av1oimod With 61sae,ro o1 b,oisaiMm rs
me, ran hurriedly down the hall and into the drawingroom. In the
corner furthest from the screen was the piano, and On it was a silver
tray. He picked this up and, smiling with pride at his own inteIli-
gence, pointed at two cards that lay upon ii. I took them up and read
the names engraved upon them"
The American paused abruptly, and glanced at the faces about
him. II read the names" he repeated. He spoke with great reluc-
lance.
"Continue! cried the Baronet, sharply.
"I read the names" said the American with evident ditaNe, "and
the family name of each was the same. They were the names of two
brothers. One is we'll known to you. 1t is that of the African explorer
of whom this gentleman was just speaking. I mean the Earl of Chef
ney: The other was the name of his brother, Lord Arthur Chetney."
The men at the table fell back as though a trapdoor had fallen
open at their feet.
"Lord Chetneyg they exclaimed in chorus. They glanced at each
other and back to the American with every expression of concern and
disbelief.
"It is impossible!" cried the Baronet. "Why, my dear sir, Young
Chetney only arrived from Africa yesterday. 1t was so stated in the
evening papers"
The jaw of the American set in a resolute square, and he pressed
his lips together.
y arc IeINcty fSHC Sly, III sau, Lofu Oneney dld arrive IN
London yesterday morning, and yesterday night 1 found his dead
body"
The youngest member present was the first to recover. He seemed
much less concerned over the identity of the murdered man than at
the interruption of the narrative.
ooh, please let him go on!' he cried. "What happened then
You say you found two visiting cards. How do you know which card
was that of the murdered manY'
The American, before he answered, waited until the chorus of ex-
CARNATIONS had ceased. Then he continued as though he had not been
interrupted.
"Ihe instant I read the names upon the cards" he said, "I ran to
the screen and, kneeing beside the dead man, began a search through
his pockets. My hand at once fell upon a card-case, and I found on
all the cards it contained the title of the Earl of Chetney His watch
and cigaretecase also bore his name. These evidences, and the fact
of his bronzed skin, and that his %cheekbones were worn with fever,
convinced me that the dead man was the African explorer. and the