The Washington times., 1909-10-17
KING=
A STORY OF GRAUSTARK
GEORGE BARR McCUTCHEON
copvrlahl 100 BY Daad. AIeaa & COMPANY.


multitude of ancient swords and gums
along the walls seemed to Tattl in
terror at this. sudden encroachment OF
What is it," aamanded sharp.
angry voice al HIS elbow. He wheeled
and found himself ookinE into the
wiZzened, parchment, like face OF the
little old man, whose black eyes snap
ped viciously, Do YOU think I am
/ deaf2'
Il didn't know you were here. " .gasped
I ItuNton, forgetting 10 be surprised y
the others English The place looked
empty. Excuse me for yelling.
That l,.oad- Say, YOU speak Eng
.'GertainIy.S snapped the old man.
/ ''Why shouldn't II ! can't afford an
interpreter You'll find plenty of Eng
lish used here in Edelweiss since the
Americans and British came. They
won't learn our language, so we must
| learn theirs.
You speak it quite as well as I do. -
Better, younE man. You are an
American" The sarcasm was not lost
on TruXtOn King. but he was not i'll
CIined to resent il. A twinkle had come
INTO the eyes OF the ancient, the deeD
lines about his lips seemed almost ready
TO crack into q smile.
WHAT'S the price Of that old sword
YOU have IN the window
DO YOU wish TO purchase it,
Certainly
Three hundred gavyOsT
What's that in dCUaTs2'
-Four hundred apd twenty.
'.WheWi''
1t is genuine. sir. and three humid. u
wears old. Old Prince Boris carried it.
It's most rare. Ten years ago you might
have had IL for nifty CavvOs- But, Wita
a Sfrug Of his thin shoulders, the price
% antiquities hiss gone uD materially
since the Americans began TO come
They don't want r thing if il is cheap
TN give YOU hundred collars for f.,
MT.-er." ne looked at the sign on the
Good dav, sir The old man was
nG;ving him out Of the shop. King vas
amused.
Let's talk it over. What's the least
you'll take in real money!
Il don't want your money. Good day"
TruxtOn King felt MS chin in per
plexity- In all his travels he had found
no other merchant whom he could not
beat down two or three hundred per
cent on an article.
IT'S too much. I can't AFFORD it," he
said, appointment in his eyes
Il have modern blades of 10y own
make. sir, much cheaper and quite as
good, yentuTed The excellent Mr..
SPantz-
You make en- iu surprise.
The old man Strengthened his bent
figure with sudden pride. 81 am armoreT
to the crown, sir. Ny blades are
used By Tie uobility--u0t by the army
am happy 70 say Spantz repairs
the swords and guns for the army. but
he Yields only for the gentlemen at
court.
7 see. Tradition. I suppose"
My great-gTaudfather wrought blades
for the princes a hundred years ago.
AIy son viii make ITEM after i am
gone. and his son after MIN. j, sir. have
made the wonderful blade with the
golden lfilt and scabbard which the
little prince carries on days Of state. It
was two years in the making. There is
no other blade 50 fine Tt is so short
that YOU would laugh at IL as a
weapon. and vet YOU could bend IL doU-
bic. All. there was a splendid piece
of work. sir. You should see the little
toy TO appreciate It, There are dia-
monds and rubies worth 5000 gavvos
set in the handle All, it Is
TTuSton's eyes were sparkling once
more. Somehow he was amused by the
sudden garTulOusness Of the old aruor-
er lie held up his hand TO check the
flow of words.
II say. Herr SpaEtz. or Monsieur, per-
haDs, YOU are the first man I've met
who has volunteered To GO into rhaB-
SOdies for my benefit. I'd like to have
q good long chat with you. Whet do
you say 70 a mug Of that excellent beer
OveT lu the cafe garder-2 Business seems
10 lee a little duh. can't yOu-er--
lock up2"
SDauJz looked at him seenIy under