The Red Cloud chief., 1912-01-25

- me on that date.
yb,d3 .Nl | had returned from q
E&$XSV mission to- foreign court
ETN which I had accomplished
NAt@ to tho great satisfaction OF
his majesty. King Edward
VII, and was awaiting lew
summons in my chambers In lialf
Moon street, Piccadilly. For this
reason did not venture to go
far from home, but conteutod my
self with "A short walk every after
noon. On the date have mentioned
was walking hOmcvard about three
o'clock In the afternoon when ] no.
ticed a crowd collected around shop
window. Pushing my way to the front,
from curiosity. l perceived that they
were watching q mechanical figure.
deckcd out In Indian costume and tur.
ban, around whose neck hung card
on which was printed an invitation to
all and sundry to play chess with the
Rutomaton. =.
Having always pridcd myself on my
chess playing. and having acquired
something Of n reputation at the game
when stationed with my regiment In
India, It's home and where 1t best
nourishes. | stepped within and sat
down at tho board opposite the figure.
which was Of course, as we'll knew.
merely an automaton manipulated
with wires by a player somewhere in
the basement OF the building. Hardly
had three moves been exchanged be.
fore | perceived that | was matched
against u player Of no mean ability.
The game was hard one. but, just as
I was confident that had my adver-
sary at my mercy, by totally unex.
pected move ho corrallcd my queen
and took her with his bishop, placing
me in position OF hopeless inferiority.
Piqued Mt this unexpected ending.
resigned the game and set up the
pieces afresh. The same thing hap
pened. Again the game went my way;
again my queen was hemmed In and
taken by the bishop of the automaton.
And third time the same thing oc.
cured, nor could discern In what
way placed my piece In jeopardy.
had been so intent upon the game
that. when l arose to go, I found a cou.
pie OF hours had elapsed. Evening was
approaching and Piccadilly lay under
dense white fog. As passed out of
the door u cOIOred attendant, with a
salaam, handed me n piece OF card.
board on which was written the un.
signed message:
IL will play you again."
That suited me. but for the present
! must get home to see whether any
message had arrived for me from the
foreign Office. had CROPPED my way
through the fog as far as what |
thought was the Green park, when a
momcntary Hitting disclosed to me the
name OF street totally unfamiliar set
into the wall Of an old garden. had
evidently taken some wrong turn and
wandered into what I conjectured was
the neighborhood OF the Tottcnham
Court road district, or some purlieu of
bloomsbury. While was debating
my next move l was startled to hear
woman's voice whisper into my ear
In manner betokening extreme agi
tation:
do you understand French, mon
sieur?"
At my Affirmative answer she ap
peared out Of the fog and clasped me
by the arm. She was of an Oriental
cast Of features or Syrian.
should have guessed-but her French
was precise and tdiomatic. Her frs,
words revealed her status.
my mistress is sorely In need.' she
whispered. will you help herr"
What am TO do?" | rejoined
scrutinizing her carefully.
'She has been kidnapped. She Is
kept In this house: she has been there
for days. Tonight she may escape
before the prince returns from st
James palace II some one will hel,
her, show her where to go. All, mon
sieur will assist; ne is a gentleman
Our need N desperate"
My curiosity had almost overcom,
my prudence when the woman fairl,
dragged me through the gate Of tn,
sdIucu, uCIOSN u tiltu pavement, all,
into the fog.bOund rcccsses Of al
ancient house, apparently unfurnished
up several flights Of stairs, until W
stood before door on the top story
She knocked twice and waited; SUD
denly the door was flung open fror
within. disclosing a light so dazzlin
that my eyes. accustomed to the oil
security OF the dim street, were for
moment half blinded.
A woman stood before me, of til
same cast Of features as the maid bu
OF an hauteur as OF one born to con
mand. which quickly demonstrated I
me their relative positions. As sh
stood In the entrance OF the Brilliant
lighted room. which was richly ca
peted and furnished with wonderf,
hangings Of the silkiest texture, an
furniture inlah with mother.of.pear
she appeared to have been strugglin
with that bane of civilized life-pac
Ing a portmantcau. Odd carmen