Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-07-05

a peremptory knock at the door. Herr
Freudenberg was announced and enter
ed
To the man who had been waiting for
his sentence there was something terri
bic in the grim impassivity of Prince
Falkenbergs features. His face was set
and white and sphinx-like. Only his
eyes shOne with a fierce, unusual fire.
What have you to say, Estermen?' he
demanded.
"sir Julien descended the stairs with
the copy in his hand to speak to a call
er. For II hours he had been in his
rooms Cor the following II hours he
would probably have been there, too.
For the intervening 30 seconds he hap
pened to be upon the pavement. 1t was
a miracle!'
story which Estermen had gone over
so often to himself. Yet he had done his
cause no harm, for the few sentences he
spoke were the truth.
you have discovered his present
whereabouts?" his master demanded
Estermen hesitated. He feared that
this was another blow which he was
about to deal.
He is at the house of Madame Chris
tered
His news, however, did not discompose
seemed, If anything, to find the intelli-
gence agreeable.
Have you made any inquiries as to his
condition."
Estermen shrugged his shoulders.
The household of Madame Christie
phor" he replied, lis, as you know,
outside my sphere of influence. 1t is,
besides, incorruptible. 1 myself am per-
sonally obnoxious to Madame. 1 could
do nothing but wait for your coming"
Prince Falkenberg stood with his hands
behind him, thinking. He had relapsed
into his former grim and impenetrable
silence. And while he waited the sweat
stood out in beads upon Estermen's fore
head. Greatly he feared that the worst
was to come.
Have you anything else to say to
me?' his master asked.
Nothing" Estermen replied, with
faltering lips.
Prince Falkenberg's eyes were fierce
orbs of light and his servant quailed be-
fore him.
Have you any reason to believe that
the origin of the crime is suspected?"
II was the question which above all
others he had dreaded. Estermen was
coward and a fluent liar. The latter
gift, however, awaited him nothing. He
felt as though the nerves of his tongue
were being controlled by some other
agency. Against his will he told the
truth.
Jean Charles is watching these apart
mentsr
"Ahw
Prince Falkenbergs single exclama-
ton was the death sentence of his agent.
Estermen knew it and his knees knock
ed one against the other.
For six years." Prince Falkenberg
said, after moments pause. you have
lived an easy and comfortable life, Es-
termen, a life. dare say, spent among
the gutter vices which would naturally
appeal to a person of your temperament;
a life. apart from the small services
which l have required of you, directed
altogether by your own inclinations. Be
thankful for those six years. As you
we'll know, but for me they would have
been spent either in prison or in the
problematical future world-a matter en-
tirely at the discretion of the judge who
tried you. 1t pleashed me to rescue you
for my own purpose. You were possess
ed Of a certain amount of low cunning
and a complete absence of all ordinary
human qualities, a combination which
made you a useful servant of my will.
My one condition has always been before
you. The present case demands your full
filment of II.
Estermen began to tremble.
1.-THE man may be there by accident"
he faltered. There is no certainty as
yet that am suspected. Tm-Pm horri-
bly, afraid to die!' he added, with an
ugly little laugh.
$50 are most men of your kidney"
Prince Falkenberg replied composedly
Nevertheless, die you must, and to-
night Write your confession. Make 1t
clear that one of the victims was your
personal enemy. I'll dictate it if you
like"
IT can do it myself" Estermen NUT
tered. Let me-let me write the con-
fession first and then make an attempt
to escape" he pleaded. 'If 1 am taken,
the confession shall be found upon me.
1t will make no difference. Let me have
a chance! know the secret places of
the city. 1 have friends who might help
me to escape"
Prince Falkenberg watched his agent
for a moment in cOntemptuous curiosity.
Estermen was walking restlessly up and
down the few feet of carpet, his fingers
and the muscles of his face twitching.
His words had come with difficulty, as
though he had suddenly developed an
impediment in his speech. His sallow
complexion had become yellow. His care
fully waxed mustache was dropping,
speck of saliva was issuing from his
lips.
THE request which you make to me"
Prince Falkenberg replied, II absolutely
refuse. l know you and your cowardly
temperament too well to allow you to
come alive into the hands of the French
police"
"You value your own life highly
enoughr' Estermen snarled.
1T is not So" Prince Falkenberg as
serted. IF 1 had ever valued my own
life highly there would have been no
Herr Freudenberg; and if the whole his
tory of Herr( Freudenberg is discovered,
1 follow you, my friend, post haste. If l
seem to be taking any pains to hold my
own, remember that mine is a life which
is valuable to the Fatherland. You have
been and you are only a feeder at the
troughs. One more or less such as you
in the world makes just the difference of
a speck of dust-that is ALL"
Estermen shrank covering into his seat.
I'D rather hve-in torture-in prison
or in chains-anywhere!" he gagped. Il
can't think of death!'
Prince Falkerberg was becoming inn
patient.
MY dear Estermen,' he exclaimed,
what prison do you suppose remains
open for the murderer of seven men!
You shrink from death. Yet let me as
sure you that the guillotine, with the
certain prospect of it before you day
after doay through a long trial, is no
pleasant outlet from the world for