The Washington times., 1911-09-21

~ pondent and taciturn. On the
n previous day, when, after the
futile interview with Sampson
Levi Prince Eugen had despairing-
~ threatened to commit suicide
IN such manner as 10 make II look
like an accident" Aribert had compelled
him to give his word OF honor not to
do so.
He had argued with Eugen that all
was not yet lost; that something might
be done; that Levi might not, after all,
be implacable; but Eugen had not taken
heart; he had promised, very sullenly,
not to commit suicide, and in the mean
time he had carefully Kept out Of Ari-
: bert's way.
! What wine will your royal highness
take?" asked old Hans IN mis- soothing
tones, when the soup was served.
Sherry" was Prince Eusen's curt
order.
And Romanee-Conti afterward?" said
Aribert looked up quickly.
NO, not tonight I'll try Sillery to-
night" said Prince Eugen.
Aribert acquiesced, as usual in his
ceeding to the door when Prince Eugen
called him back.
81 think I'll have Romance Cont,
Hans" he said. 1T suits me better
than champagne-the next morning"
The famous and indispensable Bur-
gundy was served with the roast. Old
Hans brought 1t tenderly forward in its
wicker cradle, inserted the corkscrew
with mathematical precision and drew
the cork, which he offered for his mas
ter's inspection.
Eugen nodded and told him to put it
down. Aribert watched with intense in
terest.
= He could not for an instant believe
that Hans was not the very soul of
fidelity, and yet, despite himself, Rack
sole's words had caused him certain
uneasiness. At that moment Prince
Eugen murmured across the table:
'Aribert, ! withdraw the promise I
made you. Observe that-I withdraw
it."
Aribert shook his head emphatically,
without removing his gaze from Hans.
The white-haired servant perfunctor-
ily busted his napkin around the neck
of the bottle of Romanee-Conu ana
poured out a glass. Aribert trembled
from head to foot.
An hour before Racksole had quietly
Informed him that, according to the an
alyst, the stuff smeared on the rim
Of the neck contained one of the dead
. liest poisons known to toxicology-a
poison, moreover, easily and quickly
Eugen took up the glass and held it
Don't drink it." said Aribert. very
quietly 1T is poisoned"
"Poisenedw exclaimed Prince Eugen.
cACldIiiCu Olu
with an air of profound amazement and
concern. and he seized the glass. I'm
possible, sir. / myself opened the bot
tie. No one else has touched 1t, ana
the cork was perfect"
81 tell you it is poisoned" Aribert
repeated
Your highness win PARDON an old
man said-Hans. but to say that this
wine is poisoned is to say that l am a
murderer. / will prove to YOU that 1t Is
not poisoned. I will drink 1t"
And me raised the glass TO his trem-
bling lips. In that moment Aribert
saw that old Hans, at any rate. was not
an accompliCe of Jules
SprinGing up from his seat. he knock
ed the glass from the aged servitor s
hands, and the fragments of it fell with
q light. tinkling crash partly on the
table and partly on the floor.
The prince and the servant gazed at
each other in a distressing and terrible
silence.
There was a slight noise. and Aribert
looked aside. He saw that Euren's body
had slipped forward Imply over the left
arm Of his chair; the princes arms
hung straight and ifeless; his eyes were
closed: he was unconscious.