Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-06
CHAPTER VIII.-Continued.
CHIcA4oNF.N5

At this moment the people gazed at
the house less In rancor than in astonish-
ment. The King of Jugendheit was to
marry her serene highness. 1t was a
bad business. a bad business: no good
would come of it. The great duke was
a weak man. after all.
The menials in and about the embassy
felt the new Importance of their posi-
tons 50 then. imagine the Indignation
of the majordomo. when, summoned at
dusk one evening 10 the carriage gates,
three four days after the portentous
news had issued from the palace. he
found only ragged and grimy carter
who demanded peremptorily to be ad-
mitted and taken 10 his excellency at
once.
BE off with YOU. ragamuffin." growled
the ma jordomo.
Be quick: open the gates.'' replied the
carter swinging his whip threateningly.
go away, The majordomo spun on
his heels contemptuousy.
II will skin YOU alive" vowed the car
: ter. striking the iron with the butt of
his whip. If YOU do not open these gates
Immediately. OPEN
There was real menace this time. Could
the fellow be crazy The majordomo
concluded IL temporize.
My good man. he said conciliatorily.
Won have brains You ought TO know
that his excellency will receive no man
in Your condition If YOU do not stop
han'mering on those bars l shall send
Tor the police.
Tho carter thrust hand through the
grill There was ring of his
fingers.
'Imbecilc. st Your eye an that and
admit mo without more ado,
Tho majordomo Was thunderstruck. In
dec'l, blast from the heavens would
have Jared him loss.
Open. then,
The majordomo threw back the bolts
and the carter pushed his way in That
ring on the carterS finger The ma ior-
domo felt himself slipping into fantas-
tic dream.
Take inc 10 the baron"
Vastly subdued the majordomo preceded
the carter into the office of the en-
hassy. There he left the strange guest
and went in search IF the baron. The
ambassador was in his study reading
Your excellency, there is a man in the
office who desires TO see you quickly"
The ambassador laid down his book.
Upon what pretense did he gain admit
lance at this hour?' he demanded.
Il refused him admittance. your ex-
ccllency. because he was dressed like a
cartel
"a carter The ambassador wrath
fully jumped TO his feet.
one moment. your excellency. lie
wore ring on his finger. and i could
not refuse him
~ ring, you say
Guarding his voice with his hand. the
malordomo whispered two words.
Here. and dressed like a carter What
the devil" The ambassador rushed from
tic study
II was dark in the embassy office.
Quickly the ambassador lighted some
candles. Gas would be too bright for
such meeting
We'll. your excellcncy?" said a voice
from the leather lounge.
WHO are your For this was not the
voice the baron expected 10 hear
My name at present does not matter.
The news ] bring is far more important.
His majesty emphatically declines any
The ambassador stumbled into "A chair,
his mind dulled, his shoulders inert. This
was blow.
''Declines2' he murmured.
lie repudiates his uncles negotiations
absolutely,
'.Damnation," swore the ambassador.
coming To life once more
The exact word used by the prince
in fact. the word has become common
property in the last forty-eight hours
Now then. what's to be done? What do
You suggest?
This means war The duke will never
swallow such an insult"
War, AZ looks a. if YOU and T. baron
shall not accompany the King of Prus-
STA into Alsace-I Lorraine We shall have
entertainment at home
This is horrible.
The devil OF a muddlc.
But what possessed the prince 10
hlurder like tnis2
THE prince really IS not to blame. oul