The Tupelo journal. (Tupelo, Miss.) 1876-1924, 1911-10-06
CHAPTER XVIII.

Miss Thorne, followed by Signor
Petrozinni, entered the sitting-rooAi OF
her apartments In the hotel and turned
up the light they found Mr.. Grimm al
READY there. He rose courteously. Al
sight of him Miss Thorne's face went
tdeathly white, and the escaped prls'
toner turned toward the door again.
Il would advise that you stay, your
lHighness," said Mr. Grimm coldly.
lSignor Petrozinni paused, amazed.
i''You will merely subject yourself to
the humiliation of arrest If you at
u tempt to leave. The house is guarded
q |by a dozen men,"
your Highness?" Miss Thorne re-
L lpeated blankly. You are assuming
Ia great deal. aren't you, Mr.. Grimm
II don't believe" and Mr.. Grimm
Is llistless eyes were fixed on those OF the
escaped prisoner, Il don't believe that
Prince Benedetto d'AbruZzi will deny
his IDENTIFY
There was one of those long tense
Isilences when eyes challenges eye,
NIwhen wit is pitted against wit, and
mind is hauled around to new, and
@sometimes unattractive, view of sit
uation Miss Thorne stood silent with
krigid features, colorless as marble;
but slowly a sheer settled about the
lips of Signor Petrozinni that was,
and he sat down.
Ill You seem to know everything, Mr..
#Grimm," he 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 its pur-
bose was born; | know the contents of
Every letter that passed between you
md Miss Thorne here, notwithstand-
ing the invisible ink; I know that four
lays ago several thousand dollars was
&muggled in to you concealed In
Easket of fruit; l know, with that
money. you bribed your way out while
Hiss Thorne or one of her agents
ribbed the guard in front; know that
le escape was planned for tonight,
md that the man who was delegated
ID take charge of 1t is now locked In
~ office under guard. 1t may inter-
Ut you to know that 1t was | who
@ok his place and made the escape
pssible. know that much!p
%"You-you-!" the prince burst out
Addenly. You aided me to escape!
Miss Thorne was staring. staring at
em with her eyes widely distended,
I'D her red lips slightly parted.
why did you assist him?" she de-
anded.
"details are tiresome, Miss Thorne.
piled Mr.. Grimm with the utmost
urtesy. There is one other thing
know-that the Latin compact will
u be signed in the United States"
#The princes eyes met Miss Thorne's
Auiringly, and she shook her head.
lie sheer was still playing about his
&uth.
%Anytking else OF special interest
Ii you know" he Queried.
Yes, of interest to both you and
'ss Thorne. That is merely If the
lin compact is signed anywhere, the
glish-speaking countries Of the
rid might construe it as casus
ai and strike soon enough, and hard
%ugh to put an end to 1t once for
gain there was silence for a little
le Slowly the princes eyes were
kening, and a shadow fitted across
Is Thorne's face. The prince rose
@atiently.
We'll, what is the meaning of all
I? Are you going to take me back
@rison?"
NO" said Mr.. Grimm. He glanced
~ is watch II will give each OF you
Nhalf hour to pack your belongings.
unjust catch a train at one o'clock.
Leave the city," gasped Miss
Mrne.
#mpossible," exclaimed the prince.
Ebne-half hour said Mr.. Grimm
ly.
sut-but it's out of the question"
$stulated Miss Thorne. ;
@ne half hour" repeated Mr..
am He didn't dare to meet those
#ierful blue-gray eyes now. "A
ial car with private compartments
~ the only Inconvenience to you
Mbe the fact that the three of us
be compelled TO sit up all night.
q dozen other Secret Service
will be on the train with us.
I'd then the princes entire manner
went change.
&r. Grimm" he said earnestly, 1t
Esolutely necessary that | remain
Washington for another week-re-
here even II ! am locked up
lock me up again II you like.
r. sign compacts in prison"
twenty-five minutes replied Mr..
M quietly.
Il here" exclaimed the prince ex-
Mely, Il have credentials which
Insure my protection in spite OF
#}aws.''
Know that said Mr.. Grimm
#ly. Credentials of that nature
be presented at midnight, and
& h &vil1 mt he here tomorrow to