New-York tribune., 1910-01-23

to question the Kings movements.
Alec had purposely allowed the barest time for the
we to the station. The midnight train, not being
important express carried few passengers mostly
traders returning to neighbOring towns in Austria
after conducting the days business in Delgratz
he KING and his COmpanOnS OF course, were reCOS-
nize but again it not to be expected that any
official would trouble them with inquiries.
Having secured compartments for his mother
and BeaumanOir, Alec made for the station master S
office, meaning to obtain messenger who might be
trusted to deliver StampOffs letter and he happened
to notice policeman standing a carriage door.
A white face Peered out through the window. 1t
So)eski. The King and the waiter quit
ting Degratz by the train!
Alec laughed, and the policeman saluted. When
the train has gone said Alec Il want you to
deliver this letter to General Stampoff
Yes, your Majesty replied the man.
1t Is important, remember. Here are ten rubleS
and ask General Stampoff, with my compliments for
the like amount. Take no denial from his servants
If he is in bed, he must be walked, Say that sent
you, and there should be difficulty
Precisely at midnight the train started Quickly
gathering speed, it through the tumbledONn
suburbs of the city and rumbed the IRON
brl lge that spans the Tave River. In twenty
minutes it was at Semlin, and Austrian officials
wee examining passports. 1t almost ludicrous
to lnd that they gave Alec and his mother per
functory glance; but Lord Adalbert Beaumanoir
excited their lively suspicion. One man in par
ticuar mounted guard outside the carriage and
did not bulge till the train moved again.
hat chap remembers me, said Beaumanoir
Did you notice how he glared? He the Johnny
slung through the window"
A T an early hour in the morning Joan was peerinq
discOnsoately through the window of railway
carriage at the life and hustle OF Budapest station
fellX had gone to purchase some newspapers and
the girl was absorbed in gray thought when an
Official thrust head and shoulders into the COM
partment and asked if the Friulen Vernon passenger
from Degratz to Paris, within.
Yes" gasped joan all the slightest color hvinq
from her cheeks and leaving her wan indeed.
Here is telegram for you fraulein " said the man
politely and his civil tone at least assured her that
she was not to be dragged from the train and sub
lected to some mysterious inquisition bv Austrian
polce. Sent care of the station master" he ey-
planned and we were urgently requested to find
you. Kin lily sign this receipt"
one scrlb5led her name on form and the man
carefully compared it with the superscripton on the
telegram
Yes, that is right he said and at last the agitated
gu vas Tree to open this message from the skies
1t was written in German probably 10 insure
accurate TRANSMISSION and it read:
My mother and l. together with Beaumano;r left Nal
gratz seven hours later than you Pauline ACCOMPANIES
us We are returning to Paris after having settled affairs
Blu lapest and accept the statement without anv oraIfn
ton that there no whatever why you should not
ALEC
lhe amazing words were still dancing before her
eyes When elk came running along the platform
lie too had been identified by an official and in his
hand was another telegraphic slip.
we need nave no secrets between us now NV
happened" s'N'' "''"' has
y, Alec has left Delgratz he and his mother
ph, fellX! If he really sent this telegram why did
he not explain thingS?" ' "io
The explanation would be rather ticklsh when
you come to think of it, said Felix drvlv. The
austrian Government might take too Zee, ~
interest in it. Don't you understand qirl5 L.
WTrung the truth from some one He is no lonqer =
klng, but very devoted lover. Come we ra -
pass the day pleasantly in budapest, There .'i IL
nothing else 10 be done. No sense in runnino ay,,,
me ey Tor the fun of the thing If Alec is not