Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-09-24

are these two withered hands. and may
God cut them of IL they ever wronged
you an any act. l am innocent. Those
letters purported TO have been written
by me We're forgeries. Tonight | shall
leave this palace free man. and you
shall ask pardon for the wrong you
have done me-"
There was no fear in the voice. The
duke glared at the speaker somberly.
recalling what Herbeck had often said
what you say stin remains to be
proved. Now. what is at the bottom
OF all thlsT' was the demand
Hans crossed the room TO the dukes
desk and spread out his treasures IN
der the dickering candlelight The
duke, with a cry OF terror, sprang to-
ward the secret drawer. His first
thought was that the shoes and cloak
upon which only his eyes ever rested
now. had been stolen. Nothing was
missing. He was overwhelmed. but he
steadied himself. He came back to
the desk and fingered the locket The
duke opened the locket. looked long
and steadfastly at the portrait and
shut IT, Then be went TO the drawer
again and returned with the counter
parts. He laid Them side by side The
likeness was perfect in all details
Carmichael" be said. will you
please help me7 Do see these things
or do not? And II ] do which is
mine. and what does this signifyT'
Grumbach answered: This. high
ness. l took these from the little prln-
viii
never been out OF my keeping. Those
you have / know nothing about"
The duke rubbed his eyes. MY
laughter
The Princess Hndegarde is not your
daughter. highness." said Hans.
"Gott,' The duke smote the desk in
despair. "Herbecki 1 must send for
Herbeckr'
Not yet. highness; later"
But II not Hildegarde- l believe
1 must be growing madw
Patience, your highness." said Car
michael
Patience wcarily. you say pa
tience when my heart is dying inside
my breast, PatienceI Who. then. is
this woman / have called my chndy"
God knows. highuessr Hans stood
bowed before this parental agony.
But what proof have you that she
is notf What proof. / say
Would there be two lockets. high
ness =
More proof than this will be need
ed. Produce e."
Speak" said Hans TO the gypsy.
al.
"he speaks truly. He came with us
For fear that the little highness might
be recognized MS we Travelled. we
changed her clothes. He took them.
together with the locket one day the
soldiers appeared 10 the distance. We
all led. We lost the little highness.
and none OF us ever knew what be-
came OF her She wore the costume OF
my own children"
1--WE shall produce that in time" said
Won Arnsberg.
"Damnable wretchr' said the duke.
addressing the gypsy.
The other shrugged. lie had been
promised immunity. That was ali he
cared about unless IL was the bag OF
silver and gold this old clock member
had given him a few hours gone
Il am 'summoning her highness. +"
said the duke as he struck the bell
And. highness." added Grumbach.
dispatch some one FOR Gretchen. who
lives at 40 the Krumerweg"
The goose girl? What does she
know All. l remember. She is even
now with her highness. 1 shall send
for them both"
Gretchen Carm.chaers bewnder.
ment increased. What place had the
goose girl in tins tragedy?
Now, while we are waiting" re
sumed the duke, his agitation some
what under control. the proof. the
definite proofr'
Her highness stumbled one night,
said Hans, and fell upon the fire. !
suatched her back. but not before her
left arm was badly burned"
The gypsy nodded. Il saw it, high.
ness"
And that was why Grumbach went
to the military ball with opera glasses
Carmichael was round eyed. But
Gretchen?
The Princess Hildegarde has nc
scar upon either arm" continued
Grumbach. Il have seen them. They
are without a single flaw"
More than that" reiterated the
duke. THAT IS not enough"
They became silent. Now and then
one or the other stirred. The duke
never took his eyes or the door
through which her hlghness would en-
ter.
Hudegarde came I'm presently, tender
with mercy. an arm supporting Gretch
en-, who was red eyed and white.
You sent for us, father|
How the word pierced the dukes
heart. Yes. my child" he answered
for. il mattered not who she was. he
had grown TO love her
81 am sorry you sent for Gretchen. "
said Hildegarde. "She is ill.,"
Gretchen sighed. To her the faces
of the men were indistinct. and, De
sides. she was without interest, list
less. dropped
MY child. will you roll up your left
sleeve?" said the duke.
my sleeve" Hildegarde thought
| fully looked around.
Il