The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1911-12-30

ready there. He rose courteously. At
sight OF him Miss Thorne's face went
deathiy white, and the escaped pris-
oner turned toward the door again.
ct would advise that you stay, your
| Highness." said Mr.. Grimm coldly.
Signor Petrozinni paused, amazed.
You will merely subject yourself to
/ the humiliation OF arrest If you at
tempt to leave The house is guarded
| by a dozen men"
Your Highness?" Miss Thorne re-
peated bIankly. You are assuming
a great deal, aren't you, Mr.. Grimm
II don't believe" and Mr. Grimm's
| Hstless eyes were fixed on those of the
escaped prisoner, 81 don't believe that
| Prince Benedetto d'Abruzzi will deny
his IDENTIFY"
There was one OF those long tense
siiences when eyes challenges eye,
| when wit is pitted against wit, and
mind is hauled around to a new, and
sometimes unattractiTe, view of a sit
uatiOn. Miss Thorne stood silent with
/ rigid features. colorless as marble;
| but slowly a sneer settled about the
| lips of Signor Petrozinni that was,
and he sat down.
you seem to know everything, MI.
| Grimm" he tainted.
ct try to know everything. your
| Highness," was the reply. Mr.. Grimm
/ was still standing. 4 know, for in
stance, that one week ago the plot
which had your freedom for its pur-
pose was born; know the contents of
every letter that passed between you
| and Miss ThCrne here, notwithstand-
ing the invisible ink; 1 know that four
days ago several thousand dollars was
smuggled in TO you concealed in a
basket of fruit; 1 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 it is now locked in
my Office under guard 1t may inter
est you TO know that It was I who
took his place and made the escape
possible. 1 know that much,"
''YOu-yoU-i" the prince burst out
suddenly. You aided me to escape?"
Miss Thorne was staring, staring al
them with her eyes widely distended.
and her red lips slightly parted.
why did you assist him?" she de
manded.
"Details are tiresOme, Miss Thorne,"
replied Mr. Grimm with the utmost
courtesy. There is one other thing
1 knOw-that tie Latin compact will
not be signed in the United States
The princes eyes met Miss Thorne's
inQuiringiy, and she shook her head.
The sheer was still playing about his
mouth
Anything else Of special interest
that you knoB?'' he queried.
Yes. Of interest to both you and
Miss Thorne. That is merely if the
Latin compact is signed anywhere, the
English-speaking countries of the
world might construe it as a casus
belH 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.
Wei. 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. 81 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
''Impossible!" exclaimed the prince.
"One-half hour" said Mr.. Grimm
cold1y.
"But-bnt it's out of the question"
expostulated Miss Thorne
"One-half hour repeated MI
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 a dozen other Secret Service
men will be on the train with US"
And then the princes entire manner
underwent change.
mr. Grimm he said earnestly, cit
is absolutely necessary that I remain
in Washington for another week-re-
main here even If I am locked up
again-lock me up again If you like
I can't sign compacts in prison
Twenty-Five minutes" replied Mr..
Grimm quietly.
But heres' exclaimed the prince ex-
plosively. "I have credentials which
viii insure my protection in spite of
your laws"
"T know mat" said Mr.. Grimm
placidly Credentials Of that nature
be pre$ented at midnight, and
you viii not Nbe here tomorrow to
present them. The fact that you have
those credentials, your Highness, is
one reason why ySou must leave Wash
ngton now, tonight