The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1909-07-16


most perilous enterprise in order to
gain news of the little duke and, II
God wills it, to restore him to his
mother"
The sailors manner was most earn
est and impressive. He felt deeply.
and he was little surprised to see
that the beautiful girl who stood op-
posite him seemed to lack something
of his own enthusiasm.
"Of COURSE" she said, capt. Mar
riott, have long known that Mr..
Michael Grant was the vowed hench-
man of her grace, and, indeed, every
body has been saying that some day
or other the two will marry; but did
not know that you also were, SO to
speak, one of her sworn courtiers.'
He heard her words, and took in
their meaning in a fash.
The captain Of flrst-class cruiser
who is still very young man is not
fool Basil realized that the girl
had, quite unconsciously, betrayed
little jealousy of his own newly-vowed
allegiance to the radiant and beautiful
young duchess.
The realization set his heart beating
furiously, and his eyes grew bright.
She could not she would not have said
that If she had not already taken more
than a usual interest in him.
His voice had quite new ring in 1t
as he replied.
Miss Hobson," he said. II think
that, with one exception, the duchess
of London is the most beautiful
woman have ever seen. I was glad
and proud to join Michael Grant in
this business. My father is a very in
timate friend of the duchess, and II
Grant-who you say, seems to be
singularly epris In that quarter-and I
cannot get to the bottom of this busi-
ness, then I do not think Scotland
Vary and all the rest Of it can, either.
My point Of view in joining in the af-
fair is simply sporting one. OF
course, one rather likes to do anything
for such charming girl as the duch-
ess, as think she is almost the most
beautiful woman l have ever seen:
but heaven preserve me-" he added,
in a lower voice, from ever falling in
love with woman with red hair"
His eyes twinkled as he spoke, and
Daisy could not restrain a little rip
pie Of laughter.
"'Come down into the valley'-1
think I quote correctly" Basil said.
Don't you remember Tennyson's
poem about the shepherd? It is safer
to love in the valley; that's the point
the song makes. Seriously, Miss Hob
son, I would rather be any one in this
world than Michael Grant, famous and
celebrated as he is. To be In love
with girl so highly placed. SO utterly
remote as the Duchess of London,
must be a continual torture. At least,
that is the way l look upon IT,
"You did not come here to talk
about being in love, did you, Capt.
MARRIOTT" Daisy said, with a smile.
"You came here to ask me what l
could tell you about Miss Decies. You
came here to see If could give you
any information"
"By Jove!" the sailor answered, "of
course l did, Miss Hobson. Please do
forgive me. But-but-" He hest-
tated for moment, and then conclud-
ed, rather lamely, as he felt himself,
TT is so jolly to be in the country
after London: and really, one quite
forgets You see," he continued, Ito
night Michael Grant and myself leave
for Germany by the midnight train"
"For Germany" she said. And her
voice seemed suddenly strained and
anxious.
1T is Germany" he replied - not
without a repetition of the same joy
GUS thrill that he Had experienced be-
fore-"that we expect to find the SO
luton of the mystery"
1T is indeed, Capt. Marriott" she
answered, with deep gravity in her
voice.
'Then you known"
'T know that the late Miss Decies
was, in some strange way, connected
with German people Of very curious
order indeed"
Basil pulled himself together and be-
came alert.
There would be time to talk to her
afterward-talk to her about all sorts
of things. After all, 1t was his duty
to remember the business upon which
he was come.
Tell me-" he said, simply.
1T is strange story" the girl re-
piled, "and its significance is only ap-
parent now. after the event. At the
time when what am going to tell
you about happened was simply puz-
zled ana in the dark. 1t is like this.
when and my sister were chill
dren. and before my younger brothers
and sisters were born, we lived for
four years in Germany. My father
was the English chaplain at Bad
Furstenberg. which is, as you know,
one Of the we'll known cure places.
Il II in the State Of Wohlau-Lands-
krny1a