The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-03-04
 THE PRINCE OF@ =GR AUS STARK K@
By George Barr McCutcheon
copyright.- 1914, by Dodo, Mead and Company.
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 lContinued.1
 It was not until the boat train was nearing the environs of Paris that Hobbs threw some light over thA sit uation. with the result that it instantly became darker than ever before. It appears that Miss Guile was met at the landing by a very good looking young man who not only escorted her to the train, but actually entered 1t with her and was even now enjoying the luxury of a private compartment as well as the contents of a large luncheon hamper, to say nothing Of an uninterrupted view of something far more inspiring than the scenery.
 CHAPTER XII.
 The Red Letter "B.D
 T the Care St. Lazare Robin had
 A a brief glimpse of Miss Guile as A she hurried with the crowd A down to the cab incIosure, where her escort. the alert young stranger. put her into a waiting linn cuisine, bundled Mrs Gaston and Marie after her and then dashed away, obviously to see their luggage through the douane.
 She espied the tall figure of her feI- low voyager near the steps and lean ed forward to wave a perfunctory farewell to him. The car was creep ing out toward the packed thorough fare. He remained perfectly still, with upIifted hat, a faint smile on his lips and not the slightest sign of annoyance in his face. She smiled securely to herself as she leaned back in the seat and was satisfied.
 Count Quinnox found him standing thare a few sminutes Iatars twirling his stick and smiling with hisT eyes. Accompanying the old soldier was a slight sharp featured man with keen black eyes and a thin, pointed mus tache of gray.
 This man was Gourol1, chief of po- lice and commander of the tower in Ede1weiss, successor to the celebrat- ed Baron Dangloss. After he had greeted his prince the quiet little man announced that he had reserved for him an apartment at the Bristol.
 41 am instructed by the prime min ister, your highness, to urge your i'm mediate return to Edelweiss,' he went on, lowering his voice sThe people are disturbed by the reports that have reached us during the past week or two. and Baron Romano is convinced that nothing will serve to subdue the feeling of uneasiness that prevails except your own declaration lin person-that these reports are untrue.''
 q shall telegraph at once to Baron Romano that it is all poppycock.'' .'' said Robin easily. ''I refer, of course, to the reported engagement I am not going to marry Miss B1ithers, and that's all there is to be said You may see to 1t. baron, that a state ment is issued to all of the Paris newspapers today and to the core spondents of all the great papers in Europe and America. I have pre- pared this statement, under my own signatures. and it is to be the last word in the matter. You shall have it when we reach the hotel-and that, reminds me of another thing. I'm, sorry that shall have to ask you to countermand the reservation for rooms at the hotel you mention. have already reserved rooms at the lRitz-by wireless. We shall stop there. Where is Dank?''
 AsThe Ritz is hardly the place for
 But Robin cIapped him on the back and favored him with the good na- tured, boyish smile that mastered even the fercest of his counseIors. and the minister of police, being an astute man. heaved a deep sigh of resignation.
 Count Quinnox was gnawing his mustache 2.See here, Robin,'' he said, laying his hand on the young man 8 shoulder, ttyou are in. Paris now, and not on board ship at sea Miss Guile is a beautiful, charming, high 1y sestimable young woman, and, l might as we'll say it straight out to your face, you ought not to subject her to the notoriety that is bound to follow if the newspapers learn that she is playing around Paris, no mat ter how tnnocently, with a prince whom
 DJust moment, count interrupt ed Robin, cold light in his now un- tie ahead of the game. Miss Guile is not going to the Ritz, nor do expect Irsf to play around Paris with me. AS g matter of fact. she refused to tell me where she is to stop while here, and am uncomfortably eer- tain. that I.shau not see her unless by chance. You may be sure that shall not annoy Miss Guile, and you may be equally sure that she''-
 .eI beg your pardon. Robin, but I did not employ the word annoy protest ed the count.
 4athat she takes me for a gentle man if not for a prince" went on Robin. deliberately completing the sentence before he eIniIed his forgive mess upon the old man. 1T se1ected