Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1917-08-14

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most erratc. We knew that If the
whlm took him he would perhaps go
off in an opposite direction, or trudge
back to the castle with utter disregard
of our natural anxiety.
Lights were lii and we enjoyed
cigars awaiting KNOTS return. In an
hour he was back with the news that
nothing had been heard of his high
ness. Soon after we had left that
morning, however, young man in a
gray suit had called and seen the ma
for domo, who had directed him where
his hlghness might be found.
Upon Eckardt-the commissary of
police responsible for his hlghness'
safety-the Onus rested. Yet, had he
not been sent out with the party, as
his highness had expressed to me a
wish to be left alone with the stranger,
whose name l alone knew?
While we were discussing the most
jrdiciOus mode of action-for l scent
ed much mystery in this visit Of Karl
Krahl-One of the party discovered,
lying upon the ledge of the window, a
lady's small and rather elegant hand
bag of black MORE silk.
'Hailoaw 1 cried, when he held 1t
up for inspection. "This reveals to US
one fact-a woman has been here"
l opened the bag, and within found
a small lawn handkerchief with a cOro-
net embroidered in its corner, tiny
tortoise-shell mirror and four one-hun-
dred-mark notes, but no clue whatever
as to its owner.
The mystery was increasing hourly,
but the gay party, knowing "Willle's"
susceptibility where the fair sex was
concerned, only laughed and declared
that his hlghness would assuredly turn
up before the evening was over.
Truth to tell, did not fike the sltua-
ton. His highness' disappearance was
now known to fifty or so persons,
heaters and others, and l feared lest
it might get into the Berlin papers.
With that object called them together
and impressed upon them that most
complete silence must be maintained
regarding the affair.
Then Knot drove me alone back to
the schlOss. l wondered if his high
ness, wishing to get away unobserved,
returning in secret there, had left me
a written message in his room. He
had done that on one occasion before.
l dashed up to the small, old-world
room which by day overlooked the ro-
mantle and picturesque valley, but
upon the table whereat l had been
writing early that morning there was
The Countess Won Kienitz.
AS turned to leave heard foot
step. and next instant saw the little
leformed old countess facing me.
Her appearance quite startled me.
she had just arrived, for
she was in a dark blue bonnet and
warm travelling coat.
"Ah! Count Won Heltzendorff - she
ried In that squeaky, hlgh-pltched
'oice of hers. as his imperial high
less here? 1 must see him Immediate
y"
mo, countess. His imperial high
less is not here" was my reply. "This
fternoon he mysteriously disappeared
rom the forester's lodge at Neue
and We are unable to trace !
inv
disappeared |" gasped the old lady,
pale and agitated.
"Yes," said, looking her straight In
he face.
do you know whether he had WIS., ,
or today-a young, dark-haired
lanr
HE had. countess. A man called,
nd saw him. At his hlghness' request
left him alone with his visitor at the !
'resters house. The mans name was :
arl Krahl."
"How do you know his namef she =
'ked. staring at me with an express !
on OF distinct suspicion.
"Because-well, because happen :
have learnt It some time ago." I !,
Id. Sand. further. on returning to !.
q house We found this little bag in !,
Q room wherein ! had left the crown
-ince."
"Whyl--a lady's bagl" she ex-
aimed as held It out for inspection.
"Yes." said In somewhat hard n
ne. do you happen to recognize !,
"Mei Whyg" asked the old woman. !.