The Lynden tribune. [volume] (Lynden, Wash.) 1908-current, 1916-08-03
nGraustark. VIII.

! WQeTe ne HTOt- OUT message Al
cipher and directed the operator TO
waste no time in relaying it TO his
Offices in Paris. II would be the height
of folly to offer Scoville money, and
it would be even worse TO inspire the
temporary Imprisonment of the youth
But there was a splendid alterna-
tive. He could manage to have his
own daughter abducted-chaperon In
cluded-and held for ransomi
The more he thought of II the bet
ter 1t seemed to him, and so he sent a
cipher message that was destined to
throw his Paris managers into state
Of agitation that cannot possibly be
measured by words. In brief, he in
structed them to engage few peace
able. trustworthy and positively re-
spectacle gentlemen-he was particu-
larly exacting on the score OF gentil-
ity-with orders to abduct the young
lady and hold her in restraint until
he arrived and arranged for her lib
Grafton. They were to do the deed
without making any fuss about 1t,
! but at the same time they were to do
it effectually.
He had the foresight to suggest that
the job should be undertaken by the
very detective agency he had employ
ed to shadow young Scoyille and also
to keep an eye on Maud.
Late that evening he had q reply
from his Paris managers. They in
quired IL he was responsible for the
message they had received. 1t was q
| ticklish Job. and they wanted to be
sure the message was genuine. He
wired back that he was the sender
and to go ahead. The next morning
! they notified him that his instruc-
tions would be carried out as expedi-
| tiously as possible.
About II o'clock the next day an
| incomprehensibly long message be-
| gan to rattle out of the air. He con-
| tanned himself in patience, for the
matter of half an hour or so longer.
and then, as the clatter continued
without cessation, he got up and
made his way to the door OF the OPP
orators office.
"What is it? The history of Eng
land?" he demanded sarcastically.
Message for you. Mr.. Blithers. It's
long one. and l had hard time
picking 1t up"
! There were four sheets of writing
at some outlandish price per word. but
what cared he? His eyes almost start
ed from his head as he took in the
name at the bottom of the message.
II was Maud"
He took the precaution to read 1t be-
fore handing it over to his wife, to
whom 1t was addressed In conjunc-
ton with himself. II was from Paris
and ran thus
Dear Father and Mother-In reply to
your esteemed favor of the 18th, or pos
sibly the -20th, beg TO inform you that i
arrived safely in Paris as per schedule
| Regarding the voyage, IL was delightful
We had one or two rough days. The rest
of the time II was perfectly heavenly. l
met two or three interesting and amusing
people on board. and they made the time
| pass most agreeably think / wired you
that ] had a glimpse OF a certain person
on my arrival In Paris l was met at the
station by friends and taken at once to
the small. exclusive hotel where they are
stopping for the summer. 1t is so small
and exclusive that I'm sure you have
never heard OF it. l may as well tell you
that / have seen Channie-you know who
| mean-Chandler Scoville. and he has
been very nice TO me. Concerning your
suggestion that / reconsider the statement
issued to the press. beg to state that
don't see any sense in taking the world
into my confidence any farther than II
has been taken already. If that is gram
maticaIy correct. l have also sent word
to a certain person that he Is not to pay
any attention to the report that We are
likely to Change our nindsin order to help
out the greedy newspapers who don't APP
pear to know when they have had enough.
| hope that the voyage will benefit both of
you as much as II did me- If / felt any
better than do now I'd call for the police
as q precaution. Let me suggest that you
try the chicken a la bombardier in the
Ritz restaurant. / found 1t delicious. ]
daresay they serve II as nicely on your
ship as they do the Jupiter. as the
management is the same. OF course one
never can tell about chefs. My plans are
a trihe Indefinite. ] may leave here at
any moment If / should happen to be
away from Paris when you arrive don't
worry about me. | shall be all right and
in safe hands. | will let you know where
| am just soon as / get settled some
where. j must go where 1t Is quiet and
peaceful. / am so distressed over what
has occurred that don't feel as though /
could ever be seen In public again with
out thick veil and pair of goggles /
have plenty OF money for immediate use
but you might deposit something TO my
credit at the Credit Lyonnais. as j haven't
the least idea how long l shall stay over
here. Miranda is well and is taking good
care of me. She seldom lets me out Of her
sight If that is any comfort TO you. j
hope you will forgive the brevity of this
communication and believe me when / say
that il is not lack of love for you both
that curtails its length, but the abonina-
bly, hot weather. With endless love from
tour devoted daughter MAUD.
! 1t WIS nearly bedtime before word
came from his managers in Paris.
Bedtime had no meaning for him aft
er he had worked out the message by
the code. 1t is true that he observed
life long custom and went to bed.
but he did not do 1t for the purpose
of going to sleep.
'Your daughter has disappeared
from Paris. All efforts to locate her
have failed. Friends say she left os-
tensibly for the Pyrenees, but in
quiries at stations and along line fail
to reveal trace of her. Scoville still
here and apparently in the dark. He
/ is being watched. Her companion
and maid left with her last night
Prince of Graustark and party left
for Edelweiss today"
So read the message from Paris.
CHAPTER XVI.
A Word Of ENCOURAGEMENT.