Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1912-04-25
by Reed Scott Copyright 1906 by B. Lippncot Col

disgust, "but this thing sounds pref
ty strong. l fancy it is about as close
as l shall ever come to reading my
own obituary."
Its more than strong" said Court
ney. Its in strict conformity with
the New York law"
threw up my hands. "You saw the
original certiticate?" l asked.
Yes. The lady herself had gone out.
but had left it with her maid. And l
have not the least doubt of its genuine
ness
'"rhen we are up to Alderman Pat
rick MCGUIRE" l said.
Il cabled at noon to Washington ask
ing the department to obtain immedi-
| ately full information as to his char
acter and reputation
courtney, you're WONDER" l said.
I'm glad you approve" he answer
ed. Il thought it we'll to move at once.
so the inquiry could be in New York
early this morning, and, even if it took
the whole day to investigate. the an
swer should be here by midnight at the
latest"
Just then there was a knock on the
door and a footman entered
For his eXcellency. the American
| ambassador" he said, and handed
Courtney an envelope
Here it is now" he said. "NIy sec
rotary has hurried it to me-
Crossing to my desk. he ran knife
under the flap and drew out cable
gram, glanced ut it an instant, then
gave it to me without comment.
1t was in cipher. of course. but be-
low it the secretary had written the
| translation. 1t read:
Individual named was killed last week
| by car at Twenty third street and Broad
way. Character and reputation only ordi-
nary. Integrity very doubtful. A profess
| sional ward politician.
so snid l. Exit the alderman
It's a crying pity that car didn't get in
its work four months ago.
Let us be thankful for what it did
/ do last week. n
lone lying mouth stopped" said l.
He nodded. and only an inferior
reputation left to bolster up his certit-
cate"
! looked again at the copy 81 Won
der if that car by any possibility
might have hit Witness John Edwards,
| too
Courtney smiled. "Its dollars to
nickels the same blow killed them
both"
Then it's my word against hers and
the certificate"
Not exactly. It's her word, her
beauty and the certificate against your
word, it's corroborating circumstances
and her history"
THAT sounds logical" said I. "Anti
yet, in fact. if there were nothing but
her word it would still win out for
Lotzen. l may not marry the princess
so long as another woman claims to be
my wife"
Courtney frowned. "But if you
prove her liar by cold facts?'
! at will not SUFFICE" said l. GAN
doubt must be removed She must adj
NIT her-error"
He raised his eyebrows, and out
came the cigarette case.
'"Then do you appreciate that until
she does you will have the disagree
able duty of preventing her from de-
parting the capital, certainly the king
domy'
Practically that" I admitted. 81
have already directed that she be not
permitted to leave Dornlitz'
He shook his head There, YOU
send me over to the enemy. If she
appeal to the embassy 1 may not suf-
fer her to be restrained. She is an
American subject
'Not at ALL said l. eff she be INV
wife she is subject of his majesty
Frederick I'LL"
Come, major. that's not half bad
he laughed. "And I'll stand on it too
So long as the lady claims to be the
wife Of grand duke Of Valera the
American ambassador will absolutely
decline to interfere in her behalf"
Then I fastened to the palace.
The Princess Royal Sits as Judge.
GhAA was aloue III nef library
j and she came forward with
both hands extended
ut has been long day
Armand" she said.
took her hands and kissed first
one and then the other.
Yes, dear one, it has been lona
day." said.
led her to chair and stood before
her. She held up her hands and re
garded them critically. Then she look
ed up at me with quizzical eyes.
you like ny hands?" she asked.
Yes. dear"
Better than my lips?"
mo. dear"
DWELL one nlirht thinIs ca R,,4 4,