The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-02-24

pies common Inc world over and Of
value only to small. impressionable
boys. Truxton accepted 1t with pro-
found gravity.
And when you come back. Mr..
King. I'm going to knight you. I'd do
It now. only Aunt Lorraine says you'd
be worrying about your title all the
time and might be 'stracted from your
mission. I'm going to make a baron
Of you. That's higher than a count
in Graustark. vos Engo is only
count"
Truxton started.
IL shall he overwhelmed" he said.
Then his hand went to his mouth In
the vain effort to cover the smile that
played there.
mother used to say that Amer
lean girls liked titles" said the prince,
with ingenious candor.
prince Robin. may The glanced
uneasiiy at the distant nurse-amay I
ask how your Aunt Lorraine is feel
ingy
"She acted very funny when I sent
for you. I'm worried about her"
what did she do. your highnessy'
''She rushed of TO her room.
think. Mr.. King. she was getting ready
to cry or something. You see. she's
In trouble"
She's worried about her brother. Of
course. and YOU
II just wish could tell you No.
I won't. Ii wouldn't be fair" Bobby
said. checking himself resolutely.
shes awful proud OF you. I'm sure
she likes you. Mr.. King"
'.Pm very. very glad to hear that"
Truxton bent his knee. Your high
ness. as 1t seems ] am not to see her
and as you seem 10 be the very best
friend | hare should very much like
to ask grent favor of you. viii you
take this oh ring of mine aud wish
It on her finger Just as soon as have
left your presence"
"How did you know she was COM
ing In again." In wide eyed wonder.
Excuse me- | shouldn't ask ques-
tons. What shalt wishy Ii was
the cid ring that had come from
Spantzs shop The prince promptly
hid II beneath the pillow.
III leave that 10 you. my best Of
friends"
Il bet I'm he coed wish. all right
/ know what to wish"
Then. goodby and God bless you"
said Truxten. Il must be off. Your
Uncle Jack is waiting for me up there
In the hills"
Truxton found Mr. Hobbs In state
bordering On collapse with Colonel
ouinnox and HaGdsa.
Il say. Sir. King. there's no more
chance Of getting out of the
j. Listen, Hobbs. we're going to swim
out" said Truyton.
swim. Oh say. By hockey. he's
gone clean daffy." Hobbs was eying
him with alarm.
Not yet. 5.obbs. Later on. perhaps.
l had occasion to make a short tour
of inv esti-ation this afternoon. Doubt
less. gentlemen. you know where the
water gate Is. back of the castle.
Hobbs. you and | viii sneak under
that slippery old gate like couple
OF cells. ! forgot to ask IL you can
swim" =,
~ Ue SURE VAIL GtkNEt tue kdtEt
My word"
II see" cried Quinnox. 1T can be
done. No one will be watching at
that point"
The sky was overcast. the night -
black as ebony. The four Iien left the
officers, quarters ct o'clock. making
their way 10 the historic old gate In
the glen heIow the castle
God be with you." said Quinnox
fervently. The four men shook hands.
and King slipped into the water with
out moments hesitation.
Right after me. Hobbs" he said.
and then bis head went under
A minute later he and Hobbs were
on the outside OF the gate. gasping
for breath. Standing In water to their
necks. Qulnnox aud Haddan passed the
equipment through the barred open
ings There were whispered good
bys and then two invisible heads
bobbed Off In the night. wading i'm the
swift lowing canal up to their chin&
Swimming would have been danger
GUS on account of the noise.
Holding their belongings high above
their heads. with their hearts in their
mouths. King and the Englishman felt
their way carefully along the bed OF
the stream.
hundred yards from the gate they
crawled ashore and made their way
up over the steep bank into the thick.
wild underbrush
They steaithily stripped themselves
OF the wet garments and after no end 4
of trouble succeeded In getting into
the dry substitutes. Then they lower
ed the wet bundles into the water and
quietly stole of through the brush to
the kings highway, mile or two
above town.
1--WE take this path here for the
upper road" finally said Hobbs. -It's
a good two hours walk up the noun.
tain to Rabot's. where we get the
h0rses.''
At 4 O'Clock. Ms the sun reached
up with his long red fingers from be.
hind the Monastery mountain. Trux-
ton King and Hobbs rode away from
Rabot's cottage high In the hills. re-
freshed and sound OF heart Rabot.s
son rode with them. sturdy. ioyal
lad. who had Icaped 1oyorsly at tho
chance tss serFea hts 0ssisarsAs