Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-08-22

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III" Gretchen drew closer to Hide
garde.
The duke studied the portrait Of the
mother and then the faces of these two
girls. Both possessed a resemblance.
only 1t seemed now that Gretchen was
nearest to the portrait and Hildegarde
nearest to the doubt.
"You say she wore the costume Of q
gypsy child when you lost here" said
the duke.
YES" Won Arnsberg took from un-
der his coat a small bundle, which he
opened with shaking fingers. He had
been in the KVumerweg that afternoon.
why. those are mine" exclaimed
Gretchen excitedly.
You see?" said Won Arnsberg.
would you not ike to be a princess.
Gretchen"
A princess! Gretchen's heart lut-
tered. A princess: She laid her head
on Hildegarde's shoulder. She was
weak. and this was some dream.
But who, then. am L" asked Hide,
garde.
Tell what you know" said Hans to
the gypsy. "Highness. he alone knows
the man who brought about all this
1.-THE a%lchplotter Of this damnabla
conspiracyT The dukes eyes became
alive, his face. his whole body. Every
beat of his heart cried out for venge-
ance. who is be? Tell me. Give
him to me, man. and all Of you shall
go free. Give him into these hands
! His namel'' The dukes hands worked
convulsively as II they were already
! round the throat Of this unseen. i'm
| placable enemy. He was terrible in
this moment.
The gypsy produced a letter. 1t had
to be held carefully. as 1t was old and
tattered. The duke read it. Beyond
that it made the original offer it was
worthless. The handwriting was pal
pably disguised. The duke flung the
mlssive to the floor.
Fool: Is that all you have? Tell
me what you know. or l shall
have you shot in the morning. immuni-
| ty or no immunity: Quick"
"Highness." said the gypsy. thor.
oughly alarmed. this is how 1t hap
pened. My band was staying at the
time in Dreiberg. We told fortunes
and exhibited az Italian puppet show.
The letter came first. l was poor and
sometimes desperate. was to take
her away ind leave her with strange
people,"
"Ah!" interrupted the duke. with 3
despairing gesture toward Grumbach.
why die you not leave US all In
peace?"
"Highness. a great wrong has been
done, and God brought me here to
right It"
You arc a brave man." darkly.
Il am in your hands, highness," stur'
Oily. "In a mad moment I committed
a crime. l would dot accept till ! had
talked personally with him. He came
at last. His face was hidden and his
voice mufled. But this I saw-when
he gave me the first half of the money
l was certain l should know him
again."
How"
"By his little finger. highness."
"His little fnger?" Won Arnsberg re-
peated.
The two women. large eyed and be.
wildered. chung TO each others hand
tensely. These were heartbreaking
times. Gretchen's mind, however. alb
sorbed nothing. neither the words nor
the picture. Her thoughts revolved
around one thing-if she were a prin-
cess she could be happy. But the 9th.
er. from under whose feet all tangible
substances seemed to be giving way.
she was possessed by two thoughts
which slrged In her brain like com
batants. If not a princess. what was
she? If not a princess. she was free.
She stole a swift glance at Carmichael,
who seemed far removed from the
heart Of this black business. and had
he been looking at her he would have
seer the gates opening into Eden.
what was this little finger likeY'