Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1914-02-12

I am no longer an enthusiast in his
cause. He offered me the choice be-
tween furthering his schemes and
ruin. pretended to obey him; Sc.
cretly I sent message to Lord Tres.
ham. making an appointment for you
to meet me here, for had heard you
were In Paris. Now listen, Paul:
"They mean no harm to the prince.
They want to set France and Eng
land by the ears-and what easier
than to make England think that the
young prince, who 10 model of
decorum has fallen into evil ways
and that the Marquis de Breteuil has
been unfaithful to his trust? They
know that King George and Queen
Mary arrived incognito in Paris this
afternoon to see their son. So they
have kidnapped him for a few hours,
meaning that l Shall play his part
with Gabrielle de Soucy in public
Tomorrow, when the prince is releas-
ed, his story of kidnapping will be
secuted; the king will take him back
to England Immediately, and public
opinion In England will be aflame
against France.
II dared not refuse Won Holzrath,
but sent a message secretly, as you
know"
But where is the prince?" cried
Paul.
Il do not know. I could not learn.
Paul, for heavens sake follow on his
track, for must go back and play my
part again. Won Holzrath is ubiqui-
tous, his spies may even now be
watching me. It is madness to be
seen talking with you"
"One moment. Gabrielle thinks
you the prince? 1t is incredible that
woman should be deceived"
mo, Paul. She Is but playing her
part She knows nothing of the plot
and thinks the whole thing a wager,
wherefrom she Is to reap ten thou
sand francs for aiding in the Jest.
Now I must CO. She rose.
But the prince" Paul cried again
In desperation. Give me some clue"
SduHOl, dul. hoh dl luS uOuSe
Of the marquis. That Is all can sug-
gest. must go, Paul-forgive me-"
For fraction Of a moment he felt
her hand in his, and then he knew
that. whatever the part which she
must play, her love was his. Some
day, when all their sufferings were
ended he would take her home with
him, to dwell in peace and quiet for
all their lives in his own land.
Home! The thought, the memory Of
1t burned in his heart and gave him
new resolution. He buttoned his coat
tightly and hurried away from the res
taurant toward the marquis town
house.
But it was five miles from the Cafe
Celestiel to that fashionable neighbor-
hood where the Marquis de Breteuil
resided, and Paul, when about to hail
taxicab discovered to his consterna-
lion that he had no money In his
pocket. He knew no one from whom
to borrow In that region. 1t was al.
most as far to Lord Claude's abode as
nothing to do but to walk. So he
strode through the endless streets,
crossed the Seine, and then proceed
ed through mean region of little
shops, while from time to time the
pealing of the city clocks indicated
the swift passage Of the hours. 1t
was nearly two before he stood at
last in front Of the old chateau in
which the prince was harbored.
. He knew his room! 1t had been
indicated In many diagram and plan
IN many newspaper 1t overlooked
the avenue, and now Paul, standing
directly under It, perceived that there
was a light In the princes window
And, as he looked up, straining his
eyes to catch clearer glimpse of the
figure behind the curtain, suddenly
the window was thrown wide open
and the youthful figure of the prince
looked out.
1t was Prince Edward! There was
no mistakng him. None could have
mistaken that characteristic figure,
that bright. English face, the profile
1t was the prince complete even down
to the fashionable coat so often por.
trayed
AS Paul watched the prince turned
round, the curtain fell, and the light
went out.
He had come on wild goose
chase, and the true explanation of 1t
suddenly flashed through his mind.
Won Holzrath. the soul and cunning in.
spiration Of the league, distrusting
Clothilde, had merely pretended that
the prince had been kidnapped. in or
der that she might reveal the story
and spread the rumor, they incidental
ly throwing his enemies off their
guard. Paul had not credited the man
with SO much originality. In the
midst Of these rumors, which would
doubtless be communicated to King
George, who would believe the
princes own story that he had spent
the night quietly at home, when the
newspapers would be full of his night
adventure In the Cafe Celestiel?
Truly Won Holzrath had hit upon a
cunning scheme, and one which far
transcribed the vulgar vice of kid
mapping the heir apparent.
Paul's resolution was made up In an
instant. He must hurry back to the
Cafe Celestiel, acquaint Clothilde with
the truth about the affair, and force
her, by any means In his power, to
accompany him to Lord Claude's
house and there reveal the details of
the conspiracy
The Cafe Celestiel was still bril-