The L'Anse sentinel., 1915-12-18

was awaited with a. much easerness
~ he himself appeared to display.
He was humming - he passed M.
and he walked - though he had NO
sorrow in the world
We turned when he had passed. and
followed him closely. saw him
glance back at us once or twice. I
thought uneasily. We were almost
upon him at the lodge entrance.
Then out Of the shadows stepped
Count Won Hndorf and confronted
him.
l saw the captain start; he looked
back, and found himself encircled by
us.
l must give credit to his quickness
Of wit in saying that he realized the
situation Immediately.
Gentlemen" he began in a low
voice, II am quite aware that you have
me at q disadvantage. Nevertheless
I assure you upon my honor that It
was my intention to proceed imme-
diately to Berlin to place myself Ut
the disposal of Count Won Lindorf."
Absolute silence met his words. He
continued:
IF you will permit me first to en-
ter this house. / pledge myself to re-
turn within one hour and be. at your
disposition"
NO." answered the crown prince
quietly, and 1t was not until then that
the count recognized him.
Sir" he cried passionately. you
will permit me--you will permit me-
having found him at these gates"
"You will leave the matter entirely
in my hands, Herr Graf" answered the
crown prince. Gentlemen. let US pro-
ceed little way through the lodge
gates, so that there will be no danger
of interruption. Monsieur le Capitaine,
you will excuse me II take your
arm?" he added.
saw Paradis start at the subtle
insult. Yet it was justified, for Par
ads had run away. before. and there
was no telling that ne might not take
advantage of the darkness.
The prince, his arm linked through
the captains, led US across a moved
lawn until we stood in a ring of tall
trees that completely concealed us
from both road and mansion. We could
see each others faces fairly well In
the light of the half moon.
Now, captain, you recognize your
second. no doubt" said the prince,
producing from his overcoat pair OF
dueling pistols
your nighness-" began Paradis,
with agony in mis- voice. 'if you will
permit me-"
"Come, Monsieur le Capitaine, sure
ly you will not have reflections cast
upon your courage" said the prince
with asperity. PREY recollect your
compact, and that you have had ample
time to make your dispositions"
He placed pistol In the captains
nands-not, however, until he had
handed the other to Won Lindorf.
AT twelve paces," he said. you
would prefer to measure with me?
he continued, turning to me.
| Il am satisfied to leave the matter
to your highness," answered.
Twelve PAGES were measured or
and we took up our positions with the
moonlight favoring both equally.
"They are hair triggers, gentle
men, said the prince, when all the
arrangements had been completed.
"You will face each other and fire at
the count of three. Are you ready?"
They raised their pistols. The
counts was aimed steadily at the
Frenchman's heart, but Paradis'
weapon described wavering circle.
"One!" said his highness.
l stepped from my principals side.
The pistol pointed anywhere but at
the count; the captains distress was
dreadful to contemplate. I saw him
moisten his dry lips furtively.
"Two!"
Paradis seemed to pull himself to-
gether, and his pistol covered the
count almost as steadily as Won Lin
DORIS covered his heart.
"Three!"
The shots rang out together. The
count remained motionless where he
stood. The Frenchman uttered mirth-
less laugh, fell. on his knees, looked up
at US with all the elimination OF his
despair upon his face, and then fell
forward.
"He is dead!" said the crown prince
solemnly as he rose from his side.
The pistol ball had penetrated the
heart and come out upon the right side
of the body. The crown prince
plunged his hand under the clothes
and pulled out what looked like a
lump Of wax, shattered by the ball,
but retaining certain conformations
like those OF the impression OF a huge
key. !.
In the center of this amorphous
lump was the pistol bullet. The
crown prince extracted 1t, looked al
the broken lump Of wax, and put It IN
his pocket.
A lantern light flashed through the
trees, shouts were heard, and two mer
and woman burst through into the
place where we we're standing. The
woman was F-raulein Wedenkampf
One of the men was Weisknopf; the