The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1911-09-26

ready there. He rose sourteousiy. AZ
sight OF him Miss Thorne's face went
deathly white. and the escaped pris
oner turned toward the door again.
Il would advise that you stay. your
Highness." said Mr.. Grimm coldly.
Signor Pctrozinni paused, amazed.
You will merely subject yourself to
the humiliation OF arrest IL you at.
tempt TO leave. The house is guarded
by dozen men"
Your Highness?" Miss Thorne re
peated blankly. You are assuming
a great deal. aren't you. Mr.. Grimm ?"
II don't believe" and Mr.. Grimm's
listless eyes were fixed on those of the
escaped prisoner. Il don't believe that
Prince Benedetto d'Abruzzi will deny
his identity?"
There was one OF those long tense
silences when eyes challenges eye.
when wit is pitted against wit, and
mind is hauled around TO new, and
sometimes unattractive, view OF sit
uation. Miss Thorne stood silent with
rigid features, colorless as marble:
but slowly n sneer settled about the
lips of Signor Petrozinni that was.
and he sat down.
you seem to know everything, Mr..
Grimm" ne tainted.
Il try TO know everything, your
Highness." was the reply. Mr.. Grimm
was still standing. Il know, for in.
stance, that one week ago the plot
which had your freedom for it's pur-
pose was born; know the contents OF
every letter that passed between you
and Miss Thorne here, notwithstand.
ing the invisible ink; / know that four
days ago several thousand dollars was
smuggled in to you concealed in a
basket of fruit; l know. with that
money, you bribed your way out, while
Miss Thorne or one OF her agents
bribed the guard in front; know that
the escape was planned for tonight,
and that the man who was delegated
TO take charge of 1t is now locked in
my office under guard. 1t may inter.
est you to know that 1t was l who
took his place and made the escape
possible. l know that much,"
'You--you-!' the prince burst out
suddenly. You aided me TO escapo?'
Miss Thorne was staring, staring at
them with her eyes widely distended,
and her red lips slightly parted.
why did you assist him?" she de-
handed
"Details are tiresome, Miss Thorne."
replied Mr.. Grimm with the utmost
courtesy. There is one other thing
l know-that the Latin compact will
not be signed in the United States"
The princes eyes met Miss Thorne's
inquiringly. and she shook her head.
The sheer was still playing about his
mouth.
Anything else OF special interest
that you known" he queried
Yes, of interest to both you and
Miss Thorne. That is merely II the
Latin compact is signed anywhere, the
English-speaking countries of the
world might construe it as a casus
belli and strike soon enough, and hard
enough. to put an end to it once for
all"
Again there was silence for a little
while. Slowly the princes eyes were
darkening. and shadow fitted across
Miss Thorne's face. The prince rose
impatiently
We'll. what is the meaning Of all
this? Are you going to take me back
to PRISON."
NO" said Mr.. Grimm. He glanced
at his watch. Il will give each of you
one-half hour to pack your belongings.
We must catch train at one o'clock"
Leave the city," gasped Miss
Thorne.
81 Lot,
"One-half hour" said Mr.. Grimm
coldly.
"But-but its out of the question"
expostulated Miss Thorne.
"One-half hour" repeated Mr..
Grimm. He didn't dare to meet those
wonderful blue gray eyes now. "A
special car with private compartments
will be attached to the regular train.
and the only inconvenience to you
will be the fact that the three of us
will be compelled to sit up all night.
Half dozen other Secret Service
men will be on the train with u.s."
And then the princes entire manner
underwent change.
Mr.. Grimm" he said earnestly. ut
is absolutely necessary that l remain
in Washington for another week--re-
main here even IL / am locked up
again-lock me up again II you like
/ can't sign compacts in prison"
twenty-five minutes" replied Mr.
Grimm quietly.
But here" exclaimed the prince ex
plosively, II have credentials which
will insure my protection in spite CT
your laws"
81 know that" said Mr.. Grimm
placYdly. Credentials OF that nature
cannot be presented at midnight. and
you will not be here tomorrow to
present them. The fact that you have
those credentials, your Hlghness, 10
one reason why you must leave Wash
ington now, tonight"
(TO BE CONTINUED1