The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1912-05-09

distinguished which was the
aid and which the archduke. BY some
means, which l did not bother to in
quire, Moore had secured two suits of
black velvet Of the time OF the thir-
teenth Louis, which We're marvels in
ut and style. Even our swords were
simiar-long. leather sheathed rapiers
with dead gold hilts.
Under my doublet l laced the steel
vest Bernheim brought me- 1t and one
other We're made by famous Milan
arlnorer 300 years ago. Bernheim said.
and the two had been in his family ever
since. And, SO far as lie knew there
were no others like them In all Europe
not even in the museums. 1t was Il
wonderful piece of work truly. The
links We're small and yielding and so
cunningly joined that it was as plable
as knitted wool and much less bulky
NO bigger than q mans fist. II looked
quite too himsy to afford any pro:ec-
tion. yet when saw 1t proof against n
bullet fired from IL revolver and also
turn repeated sword thrus.s l was per
force convinced.
As every one came masked. admis-
Sion was, OF course, only by card, after
which all were conducted singly to IL
small room where the mas; was re-
moved and Identification satisfactorily
established by the ambassadors secre-
tary
The house was one Of the largest in
the capital, standing In u 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 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 in one of the small recel,-
ton rooms, every one entering sinsly
and unmasking, she herself being as
yet In ordinary evening dress. She was
a very handsome woman. much young
er than tine marquis and OF the very
oldest French aristocracy. II gr;lnde
dame in bearing as well rs in birth.
Your royal highness does us great
honor" she said as | bowed over her
hand.
1 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.
nI
you have your personal party Sc
Observation-Disclosures invited and my un
expected coming must not break your
arrangements"
But she declined to excuse me.
"Who attends you tonisht?" she
asked.
"My aid, Colonel Moore"
Suppose, then, we make it party
Of eight and ask Lady Helen, the
Countess de Relde, Mile. d 'Essolde and
the American ambassador"
Charming" exclaimed, Charm
ingr'
And what hour will your highness
he servedy' she asked.
"At whatever hour Nine. la Mar
quise fxes.'
Say, / o'clock, then, in the blue
breakfast room. 1t is quiet and re-
tired"
I bowed again over her hand and
was Withdrawing, when the mar1uise
stopped me-
would not your highness like to
know some of the masques:" she ask
ed.
"very much, indeed said l.
'sThen you will find chair in the
recess behind the curtains. yonder-
and. when you are tired. there is
door, which slides without noise. open
ing into a private corridor leading to
the garden"
laughed. "And I 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 bell. held up my
mask.
admit the gentlemaK in black vel
vet, like monsieur" she ordered.
From the recess we could see all that
entered and hear every word said.
must admit 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-
nightr'
instantly I laid my hand on the slid
ing door. It was time for us to be 60
ing. And the door refused to move. I
looked at Moore, who shrugged bis
shouAaes. could imagine the smile