The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1913-08-22
CHAPTER w.
Europe.


The Zugspitze is the highest peak
In Germany; it belongs to the Alps
and panorama can be seen from the
perpetually snow-covered summit that
Is worth while. At the foot of this
giant is the town of Partenkirchen, a
great place for tourists, but since the
isolation of the American continent
the number of visitors has dimin-
fshed somewhat.
One crisp December morning tall
young man on skis slid down from
one of the snow-covered side hills OF
the Zugspitze. He wore an Alpine cos
tune and carried on his back the
usual satchel of the mountain climber.
The sack evidently was heavy, yet he
carried it easily.
The early sportsman stopped for a
second or two just about the Tirolean
and Bavarian border. After a short
meditation, he started forward, and
with the agility of master of the
sport slid downward, jumping down
steep slopes, and soon landed In the
valley. He took peculiar field glass
from his knapsack and directed tt
toward the great peak, moving 1t un-
till he found spot that looked to the
unaided eye like red dot on the
mountain side. It was the deserted
castle Of the great Prince Luipold,
once reigning prince Of the kingdom
of Bavaria.
When he had focused the glass, he
saw round, rudy checked man rub
bling his hands vigorously.
cit must be somewhat cool there,
smiled the sportsman.
He drew red handkerchief and
made some circular movements In the
air with the fluttering linen, always
watching through his glass. Then,
with satisfied expression, he placed
the glass and kerchief in their respec-
tive places and started toward the
town.
The narrow, winding streets were
almost deserted and he used his skis
even through the town.
There were several hotels around
the square; the Golden Eagle and the
Red Star were the most promising
looking, and he selected the latter
christening the straps of the skis
he cast them over his shoulder and
entered the famous old hotel.
At the sound of the strangers foot
steps In the hall big, white-aproned
man, whose head was covered with q
Turkish fez, appeared in the doorway
at the end of the hall; in his right
hand he held murderous LOOKING
knife and in the left a fork. He
greeted the newcomer with great re
epect; it was surprising to see a guest
at this time of the year. The man Of
the skis leaned his knapsack and the
skis against the wall and said. Gutter
morgen, Herr Wirth!"
The big German threw fork and
knife on table and rubbing his hand,
on his apron to remove the grease
took the strangers sack and carried
1t into the office. There he put q long
official blank of reporting paper be
fore him, together with pen and ink
1t took long time for the strange,
to I'LL out all the somewhat imperti
nent questions. but at last it was done
On the last line he wrote in larre
round characters the name:
~Chevalier Sonapo E di Leon"
What can do for you. cheyalier9 :.
asked the hotelkeeper. who had usef
the time to remove his apron and mn
on q clean coat
First Of all, / want some hreak
last, then room. as l would like r.
spend few days here"
The hosts face shone with pleasnr.
and he led his guest into the smal
dining-room.
The chevalier's eyes wanderal
around searchingly; they seemed e
penetrate into every nook and corner
The host returned, followed Nv
girl. who put snow-white cover q,
one OF the tables. then steaminr no
rolls were brought In with coffee. Int
tar. honey and some eggs.
The chevalier ate heartily; the earl,
0oFning exercise had given him