Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1909-11-18


4 Il 1t. He waved it aside moodilv
La Signorina's eyes roved as in an ef
fort to find some way out
Its a pretty kettle of fish," said
OMally. rather pleased secretly in
having created so dramatic a moment.
There's nothing for us to do but to
clear out. bag and baggage"
Then La Signorina rose to her feet.
She took the card from Kitty's fin
gers. tore it into many pieces and flung
them over the wall
1--WE have been betrayedr' she cried.
storm in her eyes
"Betrayedp In what manner?" asked
Hillard
"Her highness has had no hand in
this. ! know. Some one with malice
has done this
La Signorina. her arms folded. her
lips compressed into thin line of
scarlet. the anger in her eyes I'M
abated. began to walk back and forth.
O'Mally gripped Smith by the arm
and pointed to the gates
Two carabinieri and an inspector Of
seals. dusty, but stern Of countenance.
came up the path. The inspector came
on. Without touching his cap-a bad
sign-he laid upon the tea table card
and newspaper. familiar now to
them all
"Signora." he said politely, but coldly.
to the whilom prima donna. will you
do me the honor to explain this? We
have some doubts as to the authority
upon which this invitation was is
sued"
She spoke evenly. almost insolently
''The invitation is perfectly regular"
Everybody experienced a chill.
This time the inspector bowed.
'Then her highness will occupy her
villa?'
"She is already in possession. am
the Principessa di Monte Bianca,'
calmly.
Had an earthquake shattered the
surrounding hills and CULTS opened at
their feet it could not have spread ter
ror more quickly among the transient
guests at the Vile, Ariadne than this
declaration. They knew that she was
not the princess. and here. calmly and
negligently she was jeoparding their
liberty as well as her own. She was
mad.
The keen eyed inspector took mental
note of these variant expressions.
"Your highness." he said. his cap
setting the dust on the stones flying.
"a thousand pardons for this disagree
able intrusion. 1t was not officially
known that your highness was here"
''It is nothing" replied the pseudo
princess. "Only ! desired to remain
incognito for the present"
And the seals?" purred the off,
cial.
I'VE shall go through that formality
the morning after the ball. At present
1 do not wish to be disturbed with the
turning of the villa upside down. as
would be the case were the seals re-
''That will require the permission of
the crown. your highness."
'"Then you will set about at once to
secure this permission"
The air with which she delivered
this command was noble enough for
any one.
You will telegraph to Crawford &
Barring, In the Corso Umberto Primo.
Rome. They will supply you with the
necessary details and information"
The inspector spoke to the carabini-
Fri. and the trio marched to the gates.
Loud were the EXPLANATIONS Of dis
may from the unfortunate Americans,
and only Hillard and Merrihew show
ID faith in La Signorina and her prot
astation that she would straighten
out the tangle without any additional
coming to her former as
sociates in the opera troupe.
Kitty. OMally and Smith. however.
we're convinced that dirty Italian
prison would be their ultimate resting
place.
Suppose we go and break the news
% Worth" remarked Smith.
O'Mally assented. stopping a moment