Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1910-11-11
CHAPTER XVI.
TWIN LOCKETS.


J starting at sounds. He was
waiting for Grumbach and
his confreres. Anything but this sus-
pense. A full day! And deeper, firm
er. became his belief and conviction
that Grumbach's affair vitality con-
cerned her highness. He welcomed
the knock on his door. Grumbach
came in carrying under his arm a
small bundle
Where are your companions?"
"They are waiting outside"
1.-THE duke agrees" went on Car
michael HE will give us an audi
ence at $50"
did you mention my Manner
mo. l went roundabout. I also OBJ
tanned his promise to say nothing to
Hsrbeck till the interview was over"
Grumbach spread out on the bed d.
contents Of the bundle.
Look ut these and tell me what you
see. captain"
Carmichael inspected the little yell
low shoes. He turned them over and
over in his hand. lie shook out the
fold OF the little cloak and the lOcket
fell ON the bed
when did you get this?" he cried
excitedly. ut Is her highness'.
80 it is. captain. but have carried
II about me alI these years."
'What2"
Eyes. captain. Count Won Ilerbeck
Is a great statesman, but he made n
terrible mistake this time. Listen. As
sure as we are in this room together
believe that she whom we call the
princess is not the daughter Of the
grand duke"
Carmichael sat down on the edge OF
the bed numb and without any clear
idea where he was. Free! II she was
not princess she was free. free.
The duke allowed the quartet to re-
main standing for some time. He
strobe up and down before them. his
eyes straining ut the door, his hands
behind his back.
II do not recognize any OF these per-
sons" he said to Carmichael.
"YOur highness does not recognize
me. then" asked the clock member.
Come closer" commanded the duke
The clock member obeyed. "Take on
those spectacles." The duke scanned
the features. aud over his own came
the dawn Of recollection. "Your eyes.
your nose Arnsberg. here and alive:
Oh. this is too good to he true" The
duke reached out toward the bell, but
Carmichael i:.terposed.
"Your hishuess will remember" he
warned.
'Ha! So you have trapped me blind
ly? l begin to understand. Who Is
this fellow Grumbach: Did offer i'm
munity to him?"
Il am Hans Breunner. highness. and
ask for nothing"
"Breunner! Breunner. Hans Breun-
ner, brother Of Hermann! And you put
yourself into my hands?" The tone
developed into a suppressed roar. The
duke took hold Of Hans by the Shout
ders and drew him close "You dog.
So you ask for nothing? 1t shall be
given to you. Tomorrow morning ]
shall have you shot! Hans Breunner!
God is good to me this night! Thanks,
Herr Carmichael, a thousand thanks!
And I need not ask who that damnable
scoundrel IS who has the black face
and heart Of a gypsy"
"Xnnr hfuhpocc coiI y.a,> A.-cA~.-
quietly. 'all l have left in the world
are these two withered hands. and may
God cut them Off If they ever wronged
you In any act. am innocent. Those
letters purpOrted to have been written
bs me were fOrgeries. Tonight l 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 still remains to be
proved. Now, what Is at the bottom
OF all ths:" was the demand.
Hans crossed The room to the dukes
desk and spread out his treasures un-
der the Pickering candIelight. The
duke, with 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 he 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," he said. will you
please help me? Do see these things
or do not? And II do which is
mine, and what does this signify"
Grumbach answered: This. high
ness. l took these from the little prin.
cess with my own hands. They have
never been out Of my keeping. Those
you have know nothing about"