The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1915-12-10

was awaited with as much eagerness
as he himself appeared to display
He was humming as he passed u.s.
and ne walked as 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,
thought 'uneasily We were almost
upon him at the lodge entrance.
Then out of the shadows stepped
Count Won Lndorf 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 disadvantage. Nevertheless
I assure you upon my honor that IL
was my intention to proceed imme.
diately to Berlin to place myself at
the disposal of Count Won Lindorf."
Absolute silence met his words. He
continues:
'Tf you will permit me first to en-.
ter this house. l pledge myself to re-
turn within ono 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 ieave the matter entirely
| IN my hands, Herr Graf" answered the
| crown prince Gentlemen, Let US pro-
coed little way through the lodge
| gates, so that there will be no danger
| of interruption. Monsieur 10 Capitaine,
you will excuse me ii 1 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, mis- arm linked through
! the captains, led rs across a moved
lawn until we stood in a ring of tall
| trees that completely concealed us
from both road and mansion. Wecould
sec each others faces fairly we'll in
the light of the half moon.
Now, captain. you recognize your
second, no doubt said the prince,
| producing from his oyercoat a pair OF
| dueling pistols
Your nighness-" began Paradis,
with agony in mis- voice, IF you will
permit me"
Come, Monsieur Re Capitaine, sure
Iy you will not have reflections cast
upon your courage" said the prince
with asperisy. Prey recollect your
compact, and that you have had ample
time to make your dispositions
He placed a pistol in the captains
nands-not, however, until he had
handed the other to Won Lindorf.
AT twelve PAGES" he said. "You
would prefer 10 measure with me?''
he continued, turning to me.
| Il am satisfied to leave the matter
to your highness, ! answered.
Twelve PAGES were measured off
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.
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. fhe
count remained motionless where he
stood. The Frenchman uttered nirth.
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 q
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 it, looked a,
the broken lump of wax, and put 1t II
his pocket.
A lantern light flashed through the
trees, shouts we're heard, and two mer
and a woman burst through into the
place where we we're standing. The
woman was Fraulein Wedenkampf
One of the men was Weisknopf: the