The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1914-01-24
Copyright. 19i2 by W. @. chapman.l

~
oppose the league, but fears to do so
openly owing to some hold which Won
Holzrath, their leader, has over her,
wishes to see you at midnight in the
Cafe Celestiel, on the Boulevard
Richepin-a famous haunt of actors
and soubrettes. She sent me this
message half an hour before the club
convened. 1t was something of an
ordeal to keep all knowledge of this
affair from King George, as you may
well imagine. Now the best thing
you can do will be to follow up this
clue. 1 rely implicitly in you, Paul
only remember, Prince Edward must
be found by daybreak and restored to
the house Of the marquis before his
father and mother get wind of the
affair"
Paul did not delay a moment, but,
clapping on his hat and struggling
into his overcoat, he hurried down the
stairs of Gabriel's and took a taxi
cab to the corne of the Boulevard
Richepin. Arrived there, he dismissed
the vehicle and proceeded afoot to-
ward the cafe, reaching it just as a
clock pealed the hour of twelve in
announcement to, twenty other clocks,
which solemnly took up the sound.
The Cafe Celestiel was brilliant
with lights and gay with diners. Men
in evening dress and women in mag
nificent gowns, set off with flashing
jewels, moved restlessly among those
seated, or, seated themselves, slipped
their liquors and chartered incessant-
ly, while over the buzz of conversa-
ton rang out the lively strains of
music. Paul, standing at the en-
trance, let his eyes wander over the
throng. He scanned each face, but
he did not detect that of Clothilde.
He noticed, however, that, though
apparently engrossed in their own af-
fairs, each couple looked furtively
toward one central focus, on which all
eyes were more or less directed,
while he could hear low EXPLANATIONS
Of establishment among those nearest
him. Following these chances, Paul
suddenly found himself staring at a
lad Of about seventeen or eighteen
years who, seated beside a loudly
dressed woman, evidently an actress,
was i~ndulging in hilarious laughter
due quite as much to wine as to
amusement. Paul looked harder and
then gasped in establishment. This
was Prince Edward. There was no
m%istaking that trim coat, of English
cut, those patent leather shoes, top
ped with the white spats, and the
very cane with a dogs head, all of
which had been familiarized to the
Parisians through newspaper draw
ings and cartoons. And the woman
was-Gabrielle de Soucy, the noto.
rious actress whose indiscretions had
formed the staple of Paris gossip ever
since she entangled the ex-king of
Portugal in her clutches and released
him several thousand pounds the
poorer.
"But it is indiscreeti" he heard a
woman neal him murmur to his COM
panion. ITO princes much is forgiv-
en-but to parade himself thus, herel"
"Oh!" murmured the man, rolling
up his eyebrows in affected horror,
'if his royal mother knew-that Puri-
tan lady of England! Mon Dieul
Doubtless she thinks he is asleep in
his bed at this hour"
"The marquis, his guardian, must be
stark, raving mad to allow this" ex
claimed the woman again.
Paul's eye caught that of the
prince. He detected a distinct mes
sage in it. He moved toward the
young fellow, puzzled, wondering;
something in that glance made him
dimly aware that he had seen him in
the flesh, knew him. .
1t was the Princess Clothilde, mas
querading in the princes clothes!
The shock of the discovery stupe
fed Paul. Quite quietly he sat dowr
into the chair which the princess in
dicated to him. He saw the looks O.
the diners fixed on him; he fel
amazed, helpless, out of his depth
But the pseudo-prince was talking
more hilariously than ever, and the
actress, apparently believing Paul t.
be one of the princes friends, had al
ready transfixed him with her Ian
gushing glances.
mo, no." hiccoughed the prince
catching the glance. mo, he is moi
for you, my dear Gabrielle. This il
a particular friend Of mine, will
whom l have an important engage
ment. You will pardon me If 1 leave
you for one moment?"
30, certainly" murmured Gabrielle
not in the most friendly tone. Evi
IDENTIFY she suspected Paul of being
an agent Of the marquis, he thought
Then, slipping out of the chair
Clothilde plucked Paul by the arm
and motioned to him to follow into
dimly lighted corner, a little apar
from the crowd. She sat down at
small table and Paul took his zeal a
her side.
"Clothilde, what folly is this" h,
began harshly. $40 masquerade il
public while"
Hush, PAUL" she answered, an
suddenly he perceived that there wal
a depth Of passionate emotion unde-
the feigned merriment. paul, whel
l told you that l was resolved to leav,
the league, l told you also that l mus
first work out my destiny, until ! hat
crushed the league or till it ha,
crushed me-. Won Holzrath knows tina