Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-04-08

8 other offenses against tho law, the
crimo of wiliful murder. For this the,
were to pay the traditional penalty
but neither In the electric chair nor in
, the hongman's moose.
Justice. Motto, II not blind, guided
tho hand OF tho Princess Julia as she
penned that note which she fatuously
hoped would reach tho hands OF Lost
Prince Philip" without tho knowledge
Of Count Ramon de Zoba: im1nediatoly
after she had sealed and addressed the
envelope. Justice decreed that the note
should BIO intercepted by Count Ramon:
finally, 1t was justice that suggested
10 this gentleman Il means whereby
tho note might be turned to his advan-
tage in the esteem OF his royal mas
ter King simon the Usurper.
80 ne made his arrangements with
all care, then permitted the note to 60
on its way to the Hotel Del Monte.
70 be opened and read by Mr.. Arthur
Droyd masquerading as Philip Barr.
While Messrs. Droyd and Carr were
comforting over the note; while Lost
Prince Philip" and Juan Lopez were
being haied through the streets OF New
orr 70 the nearest police station.
Count Ramon was with sardonic cour-
tesy breaking TO the Princess Julia
tho news that far from attending the
opera that night with MAIDEN oiselle
savatz. II was his purpose to leave the
Hotel Alexandria forthwith for the
steamship Aquatania in order that they
might be comfortably ensconsed in
their staterooms several hours before
the Steamship was scheduled TO sail.
! al tho moment when Droyd accom-
panied by X. G. left the Hotel Dol
Monte and chartered n taNicab to con-
! veN them to the Alexandria; at tho mo-
ment when Lost Prince Philip" and
Juan Lope" were being released from
custody upon failure OF their captors
/ to Identify them as the persons nomi-
mated in the warrants, Count Ramon
was experimenting the bestowal Of the
luggage belonging TO his party i'll IL
limousine car at the carringo block OF
the Alexandria.
! This done. he sauntercd n little dis
lance away to touring car which
waited at the curb with five notorious
New York gunner as passengers. With
these. Count Ramon exchanged a few
pleasantly ennnc!at ted words. Then he
returned TO the main entrance OF the
hotel and waited there watchfully till
he espied taXicab in a hurry maxi
| Ing for the carriage block.
Immediately Count Ramon signaled
10 Madomoiseile SavatZ. who was wait
! ing just within the entrance In COM
pany with the Princess Julia. Tho
two women came out and. assisted by
Count Ramon. entered the limousine
car; Ramon hoped briskly in after
them; the door slammed smartly and
the car drew away hriskly thirty sec
onds before MIR. Droyd and his con-
! federate stopped their taxicab aud
hailed tire carriage porter OF the Alex
andria.
As Count Ramon had surmised
would he the case, the tenants of the
taxi had recognized his companions and
himself as they entered the limousine.
They required only the confirmation
OF the porter's assurance that Count
Ramons party had just left TO start
them In pursuit.
wake of the limousine. so did the
touring car containing the gaugsters
take up the trail OF the taxi
Mr.. Droyd had no intention OF doing
anything more than keeping the
limousine in sight till il reached it's
to communicate with the Princess
Julia and secure those papers OF
Identification: consequently the taxi
cab made no effort to overtake the
leading automobile.
The gangsters We're working under
strict Instructions: consequently they
made no effort to overtake the taNicab.
In this order the three progressed
at duly lawful speed up Broadway TO
the city limits; through Yonkers. and
northwalH-at slightly better speed
upon the Albany Post Road--all TO the
growing justification and resentment
Of the gentry in tho taNicab.
The night was clear and still. with
wonderfully bright sky of stars. and
for that season warm.
Dnawing a pistol from the pocket of
his overcoat, he discharged II at the
sky through one OF the open windows
Of the limousine.
Tho wonder excited in the under
standing OF Mr.. Droyd and his as
sociate by this incident was swiftly
distinguished In the excitement OF A
race against death
At Ramon's signal the touring car
which had logged the two leaders so
patiently OF sudden accelerated its
pace and swept down upon the taxicab
the revo!vers of the five gunner spit
ting fire and waking echoes TO amazed
uproar.
Warned by the SCATTERING OF ono of
the cab windows Il. chauffeur did his
best TO run away from his ,nurcerous-
minded pursucrS. lie did his best hut
succeeded thanks TO inferior power.
only in prolonsinG the affair by a few
minutes. Too soon the touring ear
was drawing UP swiftly alongside the
taNicab. running board to running
board. with Its superior speed and
weight forcing the lesser vehicle into
the ditch. The chauffeur made fran
tic attempt 10 hurdle this last and take
refuge in the roadside fields; bur
rallied. The left-hand wheels lodging
In the ditch. the taXicab went over with
crash fiinging its driver from his
seat. Fate was Kind to him i'm causing
ms mead TO strike the earth with stun
nihg force: had lie remained conscious
ana endeaNored to gain his feet he
would have been shot down instantly
and without ruth, In all PROBABILITY.
AS tho vehicle came down. it's door
was Jared open; through H. Messrs
Droyd and Carr climbed while the
touring car swept past and camc TO a
halt some distance up the road Find
Ing themselves un'njurcd and on their
ieet, they took to their heels and ran
across country toward the hudson, pur-
sued first by bullets. then by a strar-
Gling group of gunner. finally by
Count Ramon. who had left his limou-
! s,ne rnoftonicss by the roadside to join
In the chase and. il Fortune favored,
be in at the death
They descended a slope toward the
! hudson. wen In the lead OF the gun
men and their employer. and ran OUT
upon hy-road which spopnca ,bo