Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-28
A Son of the 1mmortals
Continued from page 2

eminent and not for yourself. That fact rem
ders easy the favor l have to ask
Anything that lies in my power, your Maj
esty-"
"Oh, this is simple matter. A friend of
mine, Lord Adalbert Beaumanoir, who was
coming here from Paris to visit me, was arrested
at Semlin this morning. There is, or can be, no
charge against him. Some of your Jealous
agents have blundered, that is all Now. l
want you to 60 to Semlin in special train
will provide and bring his Lordship here be-
fore" Alec looked at his watch. 1t is now
nine. Shall we say by eleven o'clock SHARPE!
Won Rothstein was startled, and he showed
it. But this is the first l have heard it, he
said.
Exactly. That is why came in person to
Il fear cannot interfere. your Majesty"
"Is that soe Why, then, Herr Baron, are
Il mean that this matter is not within my
province
Surely it must be. / cannot allow my
friends to be collared by Austrian police for no
reason whatsoever. This passport question con-
Germs Kosnovia not Austria. The action of the
Semlin authorities is one of brigandage. 1t can
be adjusted amicably by you, Herr Won Roth
stein. Do you refuse?"
Il fear l cannot do what you desire, your
Majesty"
''Ahl That is pity! In that event, l must
90 to Semlin myself and liberate Lord Adal-
bert"
Il don't quite understand"
is my German SO poor, them" laughed
Alec.
mean, of course"
You think am bluffing Do you know the
wordl 1t is American for pretense that is not
backed by action. | intend nothing of the kind.
Either you or l must start for Semlin forth
with If go, l take with me bodyguard suffi-
GENTLY strong to insure my friend freedom.
am not declaring war against Austria. If any
policemen, and kosnovian official refuses to
put matters straight, by all means let Austria
teach the offenders a sharp lesson. She will
have my complete approval, as | hope have
yours on the present occasion"
But, your Ma esty, such action on your
part does really amount to a declaration of
war"
Ridiculous! Austria seizes an inoffensive
British gentleman merely because he travels
from Paris to Delgratz, I appeal to you, the
Austrian Minister, to go and release him, and
you refuse; yet you tell me am making war
on your country if rescue him. The notion is
preposterous! At any rate, it can be argued
later. / have sufficient cavalry and guns as
sembled near the station, and hope to be in
Semlin in twenty minutes. Good morning,
Baron"
Your Majesty, l implore you to forego this
rash enterprise!"
1T is you or / for it!
LET me telegraph"
Useless. That spells delay. You or | must
60 to Semlin-nowi Which is it to be-"
The Austrian diplomat, pallid and bewil-
dered, yet had the wit to believe that this
quiet voiced young man meant every word he
said. He reasoned quickly that the freeing of
a pestiferous Englishman at Semlin could have
no possible effect on Austria's subsequent ac-
ton. She might please herself whether or not
the threatened invasion of her territory should
be deemed cause of war, while to yield for the
hour robbed this extraordinary adventurer of
the prestige that would accrue from his bold act.
Il will go. your Majesty" said he, after a
fateful pause
Good! Permit me to congratulate you on a
wise decision" said Alec. Il shall await your
return in patience until eleven"
'And them"
"Oh, them follow you, of course"
RARON Won ROTHSTEIN thought silence
= was best. He drove to the station and did
not fail to note the military preparations. His
special quilted Del ratz at nine-twenty A. NJ.
At ten-forty A. NJ, it came back, and Alec met
him and Lord Adalbert Beaumanoir on the
platform.
"Sorry you were held up, old chap" was the
Kings greeting Some of these frontier po-
lice are fearful asses; but Herr Won Rothstein
off the instant he heard of yO11r rredica-