New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-03-30

90, MI. Sildll. Dbtl4 81 tIt't illi4 44iiiIS
ladies proicsscd 70 adore Plcss wife up 10
the time the trial for divorce came up. Now
they've got their hammers and hatpins out
for her and
That isn't true, Billy Smith. cried Elsie
in a fierce whisper. I'VE stood by her until
she disobeyed the mandate-or whatever
YOU call it-oi the court. She did steal the
child, and YOU can't deny IT,
poor little kiddyi" said he, and from his
tone ! gathered that all was not rosy IN the
lie OF the infant IN this game Of battcdorc
and shuttlecock.
To my disgust, the three Of them refused
70 cnhghtcn me further as 10 the history,
identity. or character Of either Pies ~ Alrs.
plcss: bu, Of course | knew that was enter
tanning under my roof. bv the most cXtraDr-
binary coincidence. the Count and Countcss
Of Something or Other, who were a. war.
and the child they were fighting for with
motives Of an entirely opposite nature.
Right or wrong, my sympathics were with
the refugee in the lonely east wing. Wa
al the more determined now % shield her
as lar as Il lay in my power % do So, and 10
defend her II the worst happened.
DLESS tossed his cigarette over the railing
L and sauntcrcd over % Join Us. 81 sup
pose You've been discussing the view, he
said as he came up. There was mean smile
on his handsome face, and the two ladies
started guilty.
We've been discussing the recent i'm
provements about the castle Mr.. Pies.
said | with 50 much directncss that ! iclt
Mrs. Billy Smith arm stiiicn and suspected
2 general tension Of nerves from head 70 foot.
you shouldn't spoil the place, Mr..
Smart, said he, with a careless glance about
him what time DO we dine;
AT eight. said Elsie promptly.
81 think III take a nap, SAID he With
languid smile and a httlc iiaunt Of his hand
as il dismissing Us, he moved languidly of;
but stopped after a few steps 10 say 20 me,
Wen explore the castle tomorrow, Mr..
Smart, if its just the same 70 You. ! know
Schloss Rothhocfcn very well. 1t IS an old
stamping ground Of mine.
"Indecd.' said l. affecting surprise.
81 spent a very joyous season here not so.
many years ago. Hohendahl IS bosom
friend
When he was out OF hearing Billy Smith
leaned over and said 10 me, "He spent his
HONEYMOON here, old man. 1t was Elsies
idea to bring him here to assuage the pres
ent with memories Of the past Quite a
pretty sentiment
4 FTER dinner ! was eager 20 steal away
"A 10 the east wing with the news. My
nervousness must have been Outrageously
pronounced; for Smith said to me at nine
sixteen with polite conviction in his smile;
"You seem to have something on your
mind, old chap
81 have, old fellow" said |, immensely re
heved by his persplcuity. 81 ought TO get
of five or six very important letters to
He interrupted me with genial wave OF
his hand. Run along and get EN- off, he
said. Don't mind me. III look over the
magazines.
Ten minutes later | was sneaking up the
interrninablc stairways in the sepulchral
east wing. Poopcndyke stood guard below
at the padlocked doors. holding the keys.
He was to await my signal 10 reopen them;
but was not TO release me in any circum-
stances if Shoppers were abroad.
Somewhat timorously ! knocked at the
Countess door. After waiting FIVE minutes
and then knocking again 50 loud that the
sound reverberated through the empty halls
with a sickening CHATTER, heard someone
flmbing with the bolts. The door opened
an inch or two.
The Countess maid peered out at me.
TEL your mistress that ! must see her at
once.
~ Madame * not at home, Monsieur, said