The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-07-28

I
had gone to America with her people,
and by the heavy travelling coat and
cloSe-f1tting hat she wore concluded
that she had just come of one Of the
incoming liners.
| One thing which struck me as 1
| looked at her was the brooch she wore
1t was a natural butterfly of a rare
| tropical variety, with bright golden
wings, the delicate sheen of which was
protected by small plates of crystal
one of the most charming ornaments I
had ever seen.
AS 1 ushered her In she greeted the
crown prince as 'M- Richter" being
apparently entirely unaware of his
real identity. concluded that she was
somebody whom his highness had met
in Germany, and to whom he had been
introduced under his assumed name
"Ah! Miss King!" he exclaimed
pleasantly in his excellent English,
| shaking hands with her. your boat
| should have been in yesterday. fear
you encountered bad weather-eh?"
Eyes, rather" replied the girl. But
1t did not trouble me much. We had
| almost constant gales ever since we
left New York" she laughed brightly.
She appeared to be quite a charming
little person.
'Heltzendorff, would you please bring
me that sealed packet from your dis
patch box?" he asked suddenly, turn
ing to me.
The sealed packet! had forgotten,
all about 1t ever since he had handed
it to me at the door of the Marmor pal
ace. I knew that it contained some
secret reports prepared for the eye Of
the emperor. The latter had no doubt
seen them, for the crown prince had
brought them with him from Berlin.
AS ordered, I took the packet into
the room where his highness sat with
his fair visitor, and then retired and
closed the door,
al Can't; 1t Would Be Dishonesty"
Hotel doors are never very heavy, as
a rule, therefore, was able to hear
conversation, but unfortunately few
words were distinct. The interview
had lasted nearly half an hour. Find
ing that I could hear nothing, con-
tented myself in reading the paper and
holding myself in readiness should MIR.
Richter" want me.
OF a sudden 1 heard his highness'
voice raised in anger, that shrilI, high
pitched note which is peculiar both to
the emperor and to his son when they
are unusually annoyed.
"But tell you, Miss King, there is
no other way" heard him shout. sit
can be done quite easily, and nobody
can possibly know"
"NeverI % cried the girl. what would
people think of meT'
you wish to save your brother" he
said every well, I have shown you
how you can effect this. And I will
help you if you agree to the terms
if you will find out what 1 want to
know"
81 can't!' cried the girl in evident
distress. ST really can't! 1t would be
dishonest criminalI''
"BahI my dear girl, you are looking
at the affair from far too high stand
point" replied the man she knew as
Richter. ct is a mere matter of
business. You ask me to assist you
to save your brother, and have simply
stated my terms. Surely you would
not think that would travel from Der
lin here to Plymouth in order to meet
you If were not ready and eager to
help your
81 must ask my father. can speak
/, to him in confidence"
"Your father!" cried Mr.. Richter
'eBy no means. Why. you must no
breathe a single word to him. This
hot
: Please understand that" Then, after
a pause: ''Your brother is, quite ad
: nit, in direst peril, and you alone car
save him. Now, what is your de
? cision?"
D The girls reply was in a tone too
2 low for me to Overhear. Its tenor
3 however. was quickly apparent from
: the crown princes words:
"You refused Very well, then. can
t not assist you. I regret, Miss King
f that you have your journey to England
|. for nothing"
), "But won't you help me. Mr.. Rich
d teri" cried the girl appealingly.
"No," was his answer. ST will, how
n ever, give you opportunity to recon
: slider your decision. You are, d
l. doubt, going to London. So am ]
y You will meet me In the hall of tn
Carlton hotel at seven o'clock on Thurs
Il day evening, and we will dine to
d gether."
n "But I can't-I really can't do a
e you wish. You surely will not compe
r me to-to commit a crimeI'
The Crown Princes Threat
y "Hush ~ he cried. st have show
II you these papers. and you know my In
j. structions Remember that your fl
Their must know nothing. Nobody mus
le suspect. or you will find yourself /
20 equal peril with your brother"
''You-you are cruel!" sobbed tn
IL girl.
st mo, no." he said cheerfully. 'Don
cry, please. Think it all over. Mis-
he King, and meet me in London on Thurs
e day night"
a After listening to the appointment,
II discreetly withdrew into the corridc
&c on pretense of summoning a waite
Dr. and when I returned the pretty Englis
TO girl was taking leave of MIR. Ricl
lie ter"