Evening journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1907-1913, 1908-01-06

nothing to discredit my Office. / am
not an Independent individual, "-smil-
ing to put her more at ease q haven't
the least doubt that / would have COM
mitted any sort of folly had she re-
quired it of me)
You have my word, sir, that you
will be asked to do nothing dishonor-
able. On the other hand, you will con
fer a great favor upon her highness,
who is in deep trouble and is seeking
way to escape it."
Command me- said / promptly.
Her highness is being forced into
marriage with a man who is old enough
to be her grandfather. She holds him
in horror, and will go to any length to
make this marriage an impossibility.
For my part, / have tried to convince
her of the futility Of resisting her
royal uncles will" (Sensible little
Britisher!) What she is about to do
will be known only 10 four persons,
one of whom is downright rascal"
"a rascal?" slipped my lips, half
unconsciously. Il trust that | haven't
given you that impression" l added
eagerly. CA rascal? The plot was
thickening to formidable opaaueness.)
No, MOI" she cried hastily, with
fash of summer ON her lips. (What
is more charming than an English
woman with clear sense of the hui
morous?) you haven't given me that
impression at all"
mi r.,lr Nv A~I
under the genial warmth of this knowl-
edge. It was quite possible that she
looked upon me fayorably.
ITO proceed. There is to be kind
of mock marriage here tonight, and
you are to witness it, She watched
me sharply.
frowned.
Patience! Not literally mock
marriage but the filing out of bogus
certificate"
II do not understand at all"
you have heard of Hermann Stein
book, cashiered oficer?"
Eyes. | understand that he is the
rascal to whom you refer"
well, this certificate is to be filed
out completely. To outwit the duke,
her highness commits"
"A forgery"
at is terrible thing to do, but she
has gone too far to withdraw now.
She is to become the wife of Her
mann Steinbock. She wishes to show
the certificate to the duke
But the banns have not been made
public"
THAT does not matter"
But why detain me?" l was grow
good would come of it.
1T is necessary that a gentleman
should be present. The caretaker is
not gentleman. ! have said that
Steinbock is rascal AS review the
events, l begin to look upon your ar
rival as timely. Steinbock is not a re-
liable quantity"
Il begin to perceive
HE is to receive 1000 crowns for
his part in the ceremony; then he is
to leave the country"
But the priests signature, the no.
which attend all these things!" STAN.
mered.
you will recollect that her high.
ness is princess of the blood Sci
dom is she refused anything in Bar
soheit." She went to small secretary
and produced a certificate. duly sealed
and signed. There lacked nothing but
Steinbock's name.
"But the rascal will boast about It!
He may blackmail all of you. He may
convince the public that he has really
married her highness."
Il think not. We have not moved
in this blindly. Steinbock we know to
have forged the name OF the minister
of finance. We hold this sword above
his head And if he should speak or
boast of it, your word would hold
greater weight than his. Do you un-
derstand now"
Yes, | understand. But l believe
that | am genuinely sorry to have
Numbered into this castle tonight"
"Oh, If you lack courage!" care
lessly.
! laughed. Il am not afraid Of 20
Steinbocks"
Her laughter echoed mine Come,
Mr.. BY the way, | believe |
do not know your name
"Warrington-Arthur Warrington
THAT is very good English name,
and gentleman possessing it will
never leave two women in a predica-
ment like this. You will understand
that we dare not trust any one at
court Relative to her highness, the
duke succeeds in bribing ALL"
But rascal like Steinbocki"
Il know,''--a bit YEARLY.
1T is pardonable to say that / be-
lieve her highness has been very fool
ish."
The girl made gesture which con
ceded the fact. ut is too late to re-
treat, as / have told you. Steinbocl is
already on the way. We must trust
him. But your
After all. what does a consulate
amount tor"
This seemed to be answer enough
She extended her hand In royal fash