Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-08
CHAPTER XIX.
The Conference In the Castle


u about long table in the cen
"A ter of this imposing chamber.
No one arose as Mr.. Blfthers
entered the room and stopped just in
side the door. He was at loss for
the first time IN his life. His gaze
fell upon q huge oaken chair at the
far end of the table 1t was the only
unoccupied seat that came within the
scope of his rather limited vision.
Was It possible that the big chair
was intended for him? II so, how
small and insignificant he would look
upon il.
After what appeared to him to be
an interminable length Of time. but
in reality no more than a few sec
onds, tall man arose from his seat
and advanced with outstretched
hand. Mr.. Blithers recognized Count
Quinnox, the minister Of war. He
shook that friendly hand with fer
vor that must have surprised the
count. Never in all his life had he
been so glad 70 see any one.
"Let me introduce you to my col
leagues. Mr.. Blthers," said the count.
Happy, I'm sure" mumbled Mr..
Blithers. To save his life he couldn't
tell what had got into him. He had
never acted like this before.
No one offered to shake hands with
him, although each rose politely.
even graciously. They even smiled.
He remembered that very we'll after
ward He suddenly realized what
had got into him. 1t was respect.
"a chair, Franz" said the white
haired, gaunt man who was called
Baron Romano. twill you sit here,
Mr.. Blithers?"
Mr.. Blithers sat down. He was
rather pleased to find that the big
chair was not meant for him. A
reserved for the country's ruler.
"The prince signed the contracts
just before you arrived. Mr.. Blith-
ers," said Baron Romano. 1.-THE seal
has been affixed to each of the docu-
ments. and your copy is ready for de-
livery at any time"
Mr. Blithers recovered himself
slightly. "You may send it to the
hotel, baron, at any time tomorrow.
My lawyers will have look at it"
Then he made haste to explain: "Not
that it is really necessary, but just
as a matter of form" He sent an in
vestigating glance around the room,
"The prince has retired" said the
baron. divining the thought. ale
does not remain for the discussions. -
CHANGING at the huge old clock above
the Goor, the prime minister assumed
most busnesslike air. at will
doubtless crafty you TO know that
Shree-fourths Of the bonds have been
deposited, Mr.. Blithers. and the re-
mainder will be gathered in during
the week. A week will give them suf-
acient time, will it not, Count Lag
zar?''
81 may safely say that all the bonds
will be In our hands by next Tues
day at the latest" said the minister
of the treasury. He was a thin, as
celtic man; his keen eyes were fixed
rather steadily upon Mr.. Blithers
After a moments pause he went on:
eve are naturally interested in your
extensive purchases Of our outstand
ing bonds, Mr.. Blithers. l refer tc
the big blocks you have acquired IN
London, Paris and Berlin"
"Well, investment, that's all. Youl
credit Is sound and your resources
unquestioned, your bonds gilt edge
at is most gratifying to Graustark
to know that you value our securities
30 highly as legacy" said Coun'
Lazzar suavely. "May l venture thu
hope, however, that your life may bt
prolonged beyond the term Of theil
existence? They expire in a yer!
few years-a dozen, in fact"
"Oh, I think I can hang on tina
long," said Mr.. Blithers, little more
at ease. He was saying to himself
that these fellows were not so BAG
after all. "Still one never knows.
may be dead IN year. My daughter
but, Of course. you will pardon mt
IL I don't 60 into my private affairs
! fear have already said too much
"On the contrary, sir, we are al
only too willing to be edited. The
workings Of an intelligence such a!
yours cannot fail to be of interest t.
US who are SO lacking in the power
10 cope with great undertakings"
81 am only too willing, my lords, II