Williams news., 1914-06-25

he would bstray his master for a sweet word from those treacherous lips. ,
 Napoleon came a week later and thanked Rositta for her kindness to his mother during her indisposttfon. He did not talk about the discovery of the rich cirynith deposit in her pres ence, but when they went out for a walk he found an opportunity to com municate the good news to his mother.
 There was but one obstacle in the way of his acquiring this property. The last Prince of Schomburg Lithow had died. His possessions were now German crown lands and diplomacy must be employed, or the Count von Werdenstein would suspect the value of the property, and if he discovered the secret of the aerodromone Napo- leon we'll knew that he would not hesi- tate to take to war in the air.
 "It would be terrible" he sighed. ito destroy all the good we have accom- plished."
 Napoleon invited the countess to re- turn to the capital with him and spend few days with Astra- She consent ed, and when they were alone asked what had become of the assassin who had sought Astra's life. Napoleon could give her no information except that he was in prison
 Almost every mail brought the countess letters from Europe, among which was another from the Count von Werdenstein.
 The cleverly worded contents of that message conveyed the informa- tion that Napoleon was interested in a piece of land belonging to the Schom- burg Lithow princedom. Rositta was requested to find the reason for his interest AS soon as she was ready to cast the bomb that would destroy peace the reward she might ask would be hers.
 All this harmonized with her plans, and she looked forward to the next trip to Ciryne with Santos.
 There was reception at the Crys- tai Palace that evening for the diplo- matic corps of the countries repre- sented at the capital. It brought back the days before the isolation. Uni forms glittered, orders of valor and | distinction were exhibited by the Flu ropeans, who seemed to hold to their traditions; the barbaric splendor of the Orient mingled with the simple | evening dress of the Americans, for simplicity characterized every Ameri- can citizen.
 When Astra appeared she was her self the greatest jewel. A concert was arranged for the en- | far rfof ~A g-l. . guests.
 The Countess Rosiny and MT. Hale sat near each other; he was dreamily enjoying the wonderful mellow con. tralto voice.
 An attendant whispered "A mes. senger wants to see your ladyship" Quietly she withdrew from the hall. | Ambrosio Hale looked after her. He had seen the changing expression on her face, and shook his head doubt. | fully as he watched her leave.
 A man awaited the countess in q small reception room; he wore the black cassock of a Trappist monk, an ancient order that still existed in 8 few of the European countries.
 His face resembled that of the Countess Rosiny to an extraordinary degree.
 When she saw him she uttered one word: Robert" He motioned fol her to step nearer, and she obeyed.
 The pale padre brought from under his robe sman parcel and unfolded it.. It contained small locket with a fine chain of gold. Fine miniatures were on either side. and pressed be tween was curl of black, glossy hair bound with a narrow black ribbon One portrait was Rositta's. The oth CT was little girls.
 In pantomime the monk told Rositts that he had brought this to her at the request of the little girl. She watched him stupidly, seeming unable to grasI