The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-06-23
CHAPTER ~.
Europe.

The Zugspitze is the highest peak
in Germany; II belongs to the Alps
and q panorama can be seen from the
perpetually snow-covered summit that
Is worth while At the foot OF this
giant is the town Of Partenkirchen, a
great place for tourists, but since the |
isolation of the American continent
the number of visitors has dimin-
tshed somewhat.
One crisp December morning tall
young man on skis slid down from
one of the snow-covered side hills of
the Zugspitze. He wore an Alpine cos
tune and carried on his back the
usual satchel of the mountain climber
The sack evidently was heavy, yet he
carried 1t easily.
The early sportsman stopped for a
second or two just about the Tirolean
and Bavarian border. After short
meditation, he started forward, and
with the agility of a master of the
sport slid downward, jumping down
steep slopes, and soon landed In the
valley. He took peculiar field glass
from his knapsack and directed it
toward the great peak, moving 1t un-
til he found spot that looked to the
unaided eye like red dot on the
mountain side. It was the deserted
castle of the great Prince Luipold,
once reigning prince Of the kingdom
of Bavaria
When he had focused the glass, he
saw a round. rudy checked man rub
bing his hands vigorously.
1T must be somewhat cool there"
smiled the sportsman.
He drew red handkerchief and
made some circular movements In the
air with the futtering linen. always
watching through his glass. Then,
with satisfied expression, he placed
the glass and kerchief in their respec-
tive places and started toward the
town.
The narrow, winding streets were
almost deserted and he used his s8fis
even through the town.
There were several hofels around
the square; ths Golden Eagle and the
Red Star we're the most promising
looking and he selected the latter
christening the straps of the skis
he cast them over his shoulder an(
entered the famous old hotel.
At the sound of the strangers foot
steps in the hall big, white-aprone'
man, whose head was covered with
Turkish feZ, appeared in the doorwa,
at the end of the hall; in his RICH
hand he held a murderous lookin
knife and in the left q fork. II
greeted the newcomer with great n
spect; it was surprising to see CUES
the skis leaned his knapsack and tn
skis against the wall and said, Cute
morgen, Herr Wirth!"
The big German threw fork an
knife on table and rubbing his hand
on his apron to remove the greas
took the strangers sack and carrie
1t into the Office There he put lon
official blank of reporting paper b
fore him, together with pen and I'M
It took long time for the strange
to fill out all the somewhat impert
nent questions, but at last it was don
On the last line he wrote in larg
round characters the name:
"Chevalier sonapo z di Leon"
What can do for you, chevalier'
asked the hotelkeeper, who had use
the time to remove his apron and pr
on a clean coat
First OF all, | want some brea
fast, then q room, as / would like
spend few days here"
The hosts face shone with pleasul
and he led his guest into the sma
dining-room,
The cheyalier's eyes wanders
around searchingly; they seemed
penetrate into every nook and corne
The host returned, followed by
Tirl, who put snow-white cover G
Que OF the tables, then steaming b,
rolls were brought In with coffee. bu
ttr, honey and some eggs.
The chevalier ate heartily; the ear
morning exercise had given him