The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1912-05-11
The Bal Masque.

wv my WI valet could not have
distinguished which was the
aid and which the archduke. BY some
means, which | did not bother to in
quire, Moore had secured two suits of
black velvet of the time of the thir-
teenth Louis, which were marvels in
fit and style. Even our swords were
similar-long. leather sheathed rapiers
with dead gold hits.
Under my doublet l laced the steel
vest Bernheim brought me. 1t and one
other were made by a famous Milan
arnorer 300 years ago. Bernheim said.
and the two had been in his family ever
since. And, so far as he knew, there
were no others like them in all Europe,
not even in the museums. 1t was a
wonderful piece of work truly. The
links were small and yielding and so
cunningly Joined that it was as pliable
as knitted wool and much less bulky.
Indeed, when rolled into a ball 1t was
no bigger than a mans fist. 1t looked
quite toe fimsy to afford any protec-
ton, yet when | saw it proof against a
bullet fired from a revolver and also
turn repeated sword thrusts | was per-
force convinced.
As every one came masked. admis-
sion was, of course, only by card, after
which all were conducted singly to a
small room where the mask was re-
moved and identification satisfactorily
established by the ambassadors secre-
tary.
The house was one of the largest in
the capital, standing in a park of its
own on the edge of the inner town.
The grounds were the main attraction.
They covered twenty acres and were
maintained exactly as originally laid
out by n famous Italian landscape art
list, with immense trees and huge
hedges and narrow walks and wonder
full vistas.
The Marquise de Vierle welcomed her
guests alone i'll one of the small reeep-
ton rooms, every one entering singly
and unmasking, she herself being as
yet in ordinary evening dress. She was
a very handsome woman. much young
err than the marquis and of the very
OihNHl dAiStC%Ao a Si"A-NN
dame in bearing as well al in birth.
Your royal highness does us great
honor she said as | bowed over her
hand.
/ answered her in suit. and we toss
ed the usual number of compliments
back and forth.
Whom shall we bid join you at
supper?" she asked.
My lean m~arquise.' | protested,
you have your personal party Sc
lected-doubtless invited, and my un-
expected coming must not break your
arrangements"
But she declined to excuse me.
who attends you tonight?' she
asked.
"My aid. Colonel Moore"
Suppose. then, we make it a party
of eight and ask Lady Helen. the
Countess de Relde, Mile. d'Essolde and
the American ambassador"
"Charming-. | exclaimed. charm
ingI'
And what hour will your highness
be served she asked.
AT whatever hour Nine. la Mar
quise fixes"
Say, l o'clock, then, in the blue
tired"
| bowed again over her hand and
was withdrawing, when the marquise
stopped me.
Would not your highness like to
know some of the masques?" she ask
ed.
Very much. indeed said l..
"Then you will find a chair in the
recess behind the curtains. yonder-
and. when you are tired, there is a
door, which slides without noise. open
ing into a private corridor leading to
the garden
l laughed. "And l may have Colo
mel Moore with me? There will be
many faces | shall not know"
"He is Without" she asked.
'Yes-and costumed somewhat like
myself
She touched a bell. held up my
mask.
admit the gentleman in black vel
vet, like monsieur" she ordered.
From the recess we could see all that
entered and hear every word said. 1
must admit l rather enjoyed the ex-
perience-though | very rarely guessed
the face behind the mask.
Suddenly the marquis entered hur-
riedly.
do you know, Claire" he said, that
the American archduke Is here to-
night?'
Instantly I laid my hand on the slid
ing door. 1t was time for us to be go
ing. And the door refused to move. 1
looked at Moore. who shrugged his
shoulders. / could imagine the smile