Rocky Ford enterprise., 1911-11-03
lips of signor Petrozinni that was.

ana he sat down.
you seem to know everything. Mr.
Grimm" he taunted.
II try to know everything, your
Highness," was the reply. Mr.. Grimm
was still standing. IT 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 Thorne here, notwithstand-
ing the invisible ink; know that four
days ago several thousand dollars was
smuggled in to you concealed In
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 1t was / who
took his place and made the escape
possible. l know that much!"
"You-you-!" the prince burst out
suddenly. You aided me to escape?"
Miss Thorne was staring, staring at
them with her eyes widely distended.
and her red lips slightly parted.
why did yoa assist him?" she do
manded.
"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 sneer 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 1t as casus
belli and strike soon enough. and hard
enough, to put an end to 1t 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.
"Well. 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. II will give each of you
one-half hour to pack your belongings.
We must catch a train at one o'clock"
Leave the city," gasped Miss
Thorne.
"Impossiblel" exclaimed the prince.
"One-half hour" said Mr.. Grimm
coldly.
"But-but it's 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 a dozen other Secret Service
rlen will be on the train with U.S."
And then the princes entire manner
underwent a change.
"Mr. Grimm" he said earnestly, III
is absolutely necessary that l remain
in Washington for another week-re
main here even If am locked UT
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, 81 have credentials which
| will insure my protection in spite ol
your laws
Il know that said Mr.. Grimm
placidly Credentials of that nature
cannot be presented at midnight. ant
you will not be here tomorrow tt
present them. The fact that you have
those credentials. your nighness, Ii
one reason why you must leave Wash
| ington now, tonight
CTO BE CONTINUED)