The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-07-21

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gold" She was now openly sobbing
Neither spoke for some time; at las
the chevalier turned to the countess
ut is just possible that am making
the greatest mistake of my life, but
what Is the difference have beer
frank with me, and / will be franz
with you"
She lifted her face quickly.
The chevalier thought for second
would you like to get rid of all that
belongs to the past? Would you come
with me?"
She looked at him with such un.
utterable longing that he felt irresist.
IDLY drawn toward her; he actually
started toward the fascinating woman
with arms extended. Then his saner
nature reminded him of all that would
result from letting their friendship
merge into a love affair. and he
stopped.
A wave of rage swept over her
when she saw his hesitation and deci-
sion, but she whispered softly: 81
shall go with YOU"
Now we are becoming real conspir-
ators; be prepared SO that at mo-
ment's notice you can leave"
Where will you take me?"
Wherever my stars lead!" was his
enigmatical answer, as he left the roof
and went to his room to sleep.
Night came again, the captain left
them alone at $3.50, saying that he
had some writing to do.
Chevalier di Leon watched the sky,
which was somewhat cloudy; there
was strong wind that drove the rag
ged wanderers to and fro.
The winking star he had observed
several times before was stationed in
the eastern sky.
Neither of the prisoners talked;
both seemed to be fully occupied with
their thoughts. Suddenly di Leon
turned to the dreaming countess: Are
you willing to leave with me tonight
in half an hour?"
But how absurd that is, chevalier!"
DO you trust me implcitely?"
81 dol"
Then go to your room and get all
the things that you need to take along
ready. Will half an hour be enough ?"
i will be ready"
He led the countess down to her
room, and from that moment the chev-
alier became energy itself First of
all. he locked the door of the reading
room, then ran into his own room,
picked up his bundle of belongings
and hastily placed it on the roof. He
arranged several heavy objects around
the trapdoor leading to the reading
room and then sent a rocket from his
signal gun toward the winking star.
The light that followed was taken
as a warning by the superstitious SOL
diers on duty below; the red and white
stripes of the American flag high up
in the air, and the silvery stars on the
blue background completed the flag
that was causing SO much annoyance
to Europe.
The red star above twinkIed reas.
sur1ngly and a second later the roof
OF the prison was flooded with strong
light The chevalier ran down and
knocked at the countess door. Are
you ready?"
Il am" she replied and appeared
with a small suitcase In her hand.
Just as they opened the door lead
ing to the roof, secret door In the
wall, that had escaped the chevalier's
scrutiny, opened and Captain Euler
stepped into the room.
ITO the roof, countess" the cheva-
lier whispered in the ear of the woman
and he stepped before the captain.
Back of the captain, through the half
open door, he could see several sol.
diers.
Your recent fireworks have aroused
some suspicion, chevalier."
Il am sorry, captain, but l cannot
stop to explain things to you Just now:
am in hurry"
I'm a hurry?"
Yes, my dear captain. | have lust
time enough to thank you for your
kind hospitality. and to bid you fare
Welt"
The captain stepped forward. but
before he could touch the cheyalier
there was flash that blinded all. By
the time the captain had recovered
enough to shout: ITO the devil with
your iokes!" the chevalier was gone.
Captain Euler ran to the roof door.
only to find it barricaded; it took some
time for them to force the door. and
when they reached the roof and PLAYED
their searchlight over the whole space.
not soul was to be found.
An hour later Astra received her
message from Napoleon Edison.
The following morning early risere
in Berlin were treated to a novel sight.
High above the city, a white-headed.
tremendously large eagle appeared; it
circled above the town for a while.
then turned suddenly toward the west
and disappeared with a rapidly that
was astounding.
The learned Professor Kipfelhefmer.
a noted zoologist who was one of the
first to see 1t, was certain that the
bird was genuine American eagle.
CHAPTER TX.
In the Masters Workshop