The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-03-07
THE PRINCE OF=
 .GRAUSTARKZ
By George Barr McCutcheon
Copyright, 1914, by 'Dodo. Mead and Company.



 at once. I-perhaps we should be starting home immediately"
 Robin tore open the envelope. A glance showed him that the brief note was from Gourou. A characteristic G served as a signature. As he read, a hard line appeared between his eyes 1 and his expression grew serious
 Tt is really nothing, Miss Guile,' he l said. "A stupid, alleged joke of fel- low who happens to know me, that's aI1.''
 fewho wfote that letter, MT. Schmidt?'' she demanded. Even 1 through the veil he could see that her eyes were wide with-was it alarm or l anger?
 | "A man named Gourou. He is de- i tective engaged on piece of work for MT. Totten.''
 l s1s it a part of his duty to watch your movements?" she asked. leaning forward and reading the note "No. He is my friend, however," said Robin steadily. According to. this epistIe, it would appear that it is a part of his duty to keep track of you. not me. May I ask why you should be shadowed by two of his kind?"
 She did not answer at once When she spoke it was with determined effort to maintain her composure. I am sorry to have subjected you to all this, MT. Schmidt We will de- part at once. I find that the cat is never away, so we can't be mice. What a fool I've been" There was l something susptciously suggestive of tears in her soft voice.
 CHAPTER XIV.
 The Hand of the Law.
 and ordered him to find Miss GuiIess footman at once. When
 he returned to the table she was again reading the note.
 ssIt is really quite thrilling, isn't it? ?' she said, and there was still quaver of indignation in her voice. 'Are you not mystided?"
 s'Not in the least,'' said he promptly, and drew chair up close beside hers. Its as plain as day. Your father has found you out, that's all. Let's read it again." and they read it together. "A word to the wise,'' it began. 1.-TWO men from private detective concern have been employed since yesterday in watching the movements of your companion, for the purpose of safe guarding her against good looking young men, I suspect. I have it from the most reliable of sources that her father engaged the services of these men almost simultaneously with the date of our sailing from New York. It may interest you to know that they followed you to St. Cloud in high power car and no doubt are watching you as you read this message from your faithful friend, who likewise is not far away tsI should have anticipated this, MT. l Schmidt she said ruefully. 'It is 1 just the sort of thing my father would do."
 You seem to take it calmly enough"
 'I am quite used to it. I would be 1 worth a great deal to any enterpris- 1 ing person who made it his business to steal me. There is no limit to the 1 ransom he could demand
 You alarm me-" he declared. ''rIo | doubt these worthy guardians look upon me as kidnaper. I am in- cIined to shiver."
 "tAlls well that ends we'll g quoth | she, pulling on her gloves. "I shall | restore you safely to the bosom of the ] Ritz, and that will be the end of it." f'I almost wish that some one would kidnap you, Miss Guile. It would af- ford me the greatest pleasure in the l world to snatch you from their | clutches. Your father would be saved 1 paying the ransom, but should have | to be adequately rewarded. I fancy, l however, that he wouldn't mind pay ing the reward should hold out for" ffI am quite sure he would give you l anything you were to ask for, MT. 1 Schmidt said she gaily. "You would | be reasonable, of course.'' sI might ask for the most precious I of his possessions" said he, leaning | forward to look directly into eyes that wayered and refused to meet his. | "Curiosity almost makes me wish 1 that I might be Kidnapped. I should 1 then find out what you consider to be | his most precious possession" she | said, and her voice was peri1ously low. "I think I could tell you in ad- vance," said he, his eyes shining.
 "I-I prefer to find it out in my own l way, MT. Schmidt" she stammerevi | hurriedly. Her confusion was int 1 mensely gratifying to him. There IS no telling what might have happened 1 to the PriRce of Graustark at that | moment if an obsequious attendant | had not intervened with the earthly information that the car was wait ing. was speeding on it's way toward the l