Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1914-01-22
THURMONT FREDERICK COUNTY, MDr THURSDAY, JANUAR

up Will Il otOWl-lO cICOulIcI
the angry visage of Captain Won Holz-
rath.
1t was their fourth encounter. The
last had been upon the staircase Of
the emperors palace at Hofberg,
where, sword in hand, Paul had
matched himself against his enemy
and found that he was his inferior.
Twice Won Holzrath had spared his
life when he held it In the hollow of
his hand. Now, at that memory, a
blind fury seized on him, and he felt
his hands ache to strangle his foe.
He rushed forward, his fists clenched,
but clutched only emptiness, for Won
Holzrath had adroitly eluded him and
leaped into the cab. The last that
Paul saw of him was his ironical
smile as the vehicle whirled away.
That it was that decided him Paul
felt that Won HolZrath's presence in
Washington BODIED ill for his country.
For Won Holzrath was a stormy petrol
of politics; and where the petrol flies
the hurricane follows.
What part, then, did Won Holzrath
play In this sinister scheme, he won
dered The princess revelations as
to the nature Of the League had con-
vinced Paul that many interests, oftep
opposing, sheltered themselves behind
it. Won Holzrath had been the Aus
trian emperor's confidant; he had been
entrusted with the duty Of bringing
back Clothilde when she started on
her mission to America. Afterward
his support Of Stepan's abortive insur-
rection had no doubt brought about
his prescription at the Austrian court.
If Won Holzrath had joined the League,
which would gladly have welcomed SO
illustrious recruit, his presence In
Washington was easily explained.
Then he and the captain had changed
sides and were destined to continue
their duel still until one or the other
won a final triumph.
Paul took train the same evening
for Seattle, where he found a ship
upon the point of sailing for Sitka.
He arrived at that Alaskan port worn
out with apprehension and anxiety.
How soon the attempt was to be made
he could not know; but he knew
enough of the resolute characters that
dominated the League to be assured
that, since he had kept his destination
no secret, the blow would fall as soon
as possible.
The Pyloff islands, which had risen
in a week from the depths of the sea,
forming a little new territory of the
United States, lie five hundred miles
northwest of Stka, over stormy sea.
A barren tract of lava and scoriae,
washed by the eternal waves, they
would have been wholly yalueless but
for the deep-water harbor that af-
fordod anchorage to warships. When
Paul inquired for q vessel thither he
encountered much quiet amusement
on the part of ship captains. The
single vessel which sometimes made
the trip into those waters-a whaler
had departed the day before, they
told him, bearing a passenger. Paul
surmised that this was Won Holzrath,
who had thus gained days start on
him. Doubtless he had been on his
way to the station at the moment OF
their encounter in Washington. Two
days more passed before Paul, chatting
at the delay, discovered a captain
willing to attempt the journey, but
finally he was able to set forth in
small yacht, with scratch crew, after
paying an enormous sum In insurance.
The yacht, though small, was built for
ocean voyaging; rough weather was
happily not encountered; In the end,
after many an alienation between
hope and despair, he saw the gaunt
shores of the Pyloffs break upon his
view of the gray waste Of waters.
And there, riding at ease upon the
FACE of the waters, were the battle
ships and cruisers of the Pacific
squadron.
No, they were not riding at ease.
For, as his yacht drew nearer, Paul
saw, through his glasses, that they
were forming in line, the flagship
ahead He knew what that maneuver
meant. The vessels were about to
enter the pass He was too late.
Still he would not abandon hope.
The captain drove the yacht forward,
heading her, at Pauls instructions,
straight toward the flagship. The race
was close one, for there was the
chance Of cutting under the vessels
bows before she turned her nose in
ward. But the chance did not depend
upon speed. The flagship halted,
warning gun rang OUT the yacht put
about at the signal, and presently
cutter from the admlral's vessel came
skimming through the waves. In
few minutes Paul had stepped into
her, and, ten minutes later, he was in
the presence of Admiral Blake upon
the quarterback of the Virginia.
"Your business?" demanded the ad-
miral sternly.
"You are about to proceed into the
new roadstead," said Paul, casting
look toward the line of warships, wait
ing upon the signal of their leader.
We'll, sr?'
"Your pilot is in the pay of hos.
tile power If you proceed you will
be broken upon the rocks"
"Who are you? Have you creden-
tials?"
Paul handed the admiral the presi-
dents letter He read 1t with an iron
ical smile and handed 1t back to Paul.
"You are undoubtedly acquainted
with the contents of this" he said.
Pray read it,"
Paul read mechanically:
"My Dear Admiral Here Is young
man, the son of distinguished father,