The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1911-10-05
Ties. n just happened 10 - hsrs
for purposes Of experiment.
"The can IA sttachedr-


And at three o'clock, by your
watch, the mine will be fred by o
wireless operator fifteen miles from
hereg
Something like that: yes, very
much like that" assented the prince.
Thank you. merely wanted to
understand H." Mr.. Grimm pulled .
chair up against the door and sat
down. crossing his legs oc his knees
rested the barrel OF revolver. gilt
tering. fascinating. IN the seml-dark-
ness. Now, gentlemen" and he
glanced at his watch. "it's twenty-one
minutes OF three O'Clock. At three
that mine will explode. We will all
be In the room when II happens. I'M
less his IIIghness sees At to destroy
the compact"
Eyes sought eyes. and the prince
removed his mask with sudden ges-
ture. His face was bioodless.
IF any man." and Mr.. Grimm gave
Miss Thorne a quick glance. Il should
say. any person. attempts to leave this
room I know he will die, and there's
a bare chance that the percussion cap
will fail 10 work can account for
six Of you, n there Is q rush"
But. man, II that mine explodes We
shall all be killed-blown to pieces!"
burst from one OF the cowled figures.
IF the percussion cap works" sup
plemented Mr.. Grimm.
Mingled emotion struggled In the
flushed face OF Isabel as she studied
Mr.. Grimm's lmpassive countenance.
II have never disappointed you yet,
Miss Thorne." he remarked as n II
were an explanation. Z shall not
now"
She turned TO the prince.
Your Highness. I think II needless
10 argue further" she said. I'VE have
no choice In the matter; there is only
once course-destroy the compact"
moi" was the curt answer.
ct believe I know Mr.. Grimm better
than you do" she argued. You
think he will weaken: know ne will
not. am not arguing for him, nor
for myself: I am arguing against the
frightful loss that will come here in
this room II the compact is ,ot de-
stroyed."
ms absurd to let one man stand In
the way" declared the prince angrily.
1T might not be an impertinent
question. your Highness," commented
Mr.. Grimm, for me to ask how you
are going to prevent one man stand
ing In the way"
A quick change came over Miss
Thorne's face. The eyes hardened.
the lips we're set. and lines Mr. Grimm
had never seen appeared about the
mouth. Here, in a flash. the cloak OF
discrimination was cast aside. and the
woman stood forth. this keen. bril-
liant. determined woman who did
things.
THE compact will be destroyed"
she said
NO" declared the prince
1T must be destroyed"
Must. MUST Do you say must
TO me-
Yes. must" she repeated steadily.
and by what authority. please.
do"
by that authority" She drew q
tiny, flIgreed gold box from her
bosom and cast II upon the table; the
prince stared at II. In the name OF
your overeign-must." she said
again.
The prince turned away and began
pacing back and forth across the
room with the parchment crumpled
In his hand. For minute or more
Isabel stood watching him.
Thirteen minutes" Mr. Grimm an
nounced coldly.
And now broke out an excited chat
ter, a babel of French. English, Nal-
ian. Spanish, those masked and
cowled ones who had held silence for
so long all began talking a. once. One
OF them snatched at the crumpled
compact In the princes hand. while
all crowded around him arguing. Mr..
Grimm sat perfectly still with the re-
volver barrel resting on his knees.
Eleven minutes" he announced
again.
Suddenly the prince turned violent
ly on Miss Thorne with ragedistort-
ed face.
DO you know what II means TO
you II do as you say" he demanded
savagely. 1T means you will be brand
ed as traitor. that your name. your
property"
IF you will pardon me. your High
ness" she interrupted. the power
that have used was given TO me TO
use; / have used il. II Is a matter
to be settled between me and my
government. and as far as Il affects
my person Is of no consequence now.
You will destroy the compact"
Mine minutes" said Mr.. Grimm
monotonously,
Again the babel broke out.
DO we understand that you want
to see the compact" one OF the
cowled men asked suddenly OF Mr..
Grimm as he turned.
No. don't want to see IL. I'd pre-
fer rot TO see IT,"
With hatred blazing in his eyes the
prince made his way toward the lamp.
holding a parchment toward the blaze.
There's nothing else to be DONE"
he exclaimed savagely.
"Just moment please" Mr.. Grimm