The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-08-25

he would betray his master for sweet
word from those treacherous lips.
Napoleon came q week later and
| thanked ROSETTA for her kindness to
his mother during her indisposition,
He did not talk about the discovery of
the rich cirynith deposit in her pres
| ence, but when they went out for a
walk he found an opportunity to COM
municate the good news to his mother.
There was but one obstacle in the
way of his acquiring this property.
The last Prince of Schomburg Lithow
had died. His possessions were now
German crown lands and diplomacy
must be employed, or the Count Won
Werdenstein would suspect the value
of the property, and If he discovered
the secret of the aerodromone Napo-
leon we'll knew that he would not hest,
tate to take to war in the air.
ut would be terrible" he sighed, ito
destroy all the good we have accom-
plished."
Napoleon invited the countess to re-
turn to the capital with him and spend
few days with Astra She consent
ed, and when they were alone asked
what had become Of the assassin who
had sought Astra's life. Napoleon
could give her no information except
that he was in prison.
Almost every mail brought the
1nftnro
which was another from the Count
Won Wefdenstein.
The cleverly worded contents of
that message conveyed the informa-
ton that Napoleon was interested in a
piece Of land belonging to the Schom-
burg Lithow princedom. Rositta was
requested to find the reason for his
interest AS soon as she was ready
to cast the bomb that would destroy
peace the reward she might ask would
be hers.
All this harmonized with her plans,
and she looked forward to the next
trip to Ciryne with Santos.
There was a reception at the Crys-
tai Palace that evening for the diplo-
matte corps Of the countries repre-
sented at the capital. 1t brought back
the days before the isolation. Uni
forms glittered, orders of valor and
distinction were exhibited by the Eu-
ropeans, who seemed to hold to their
traditions; the barbaric splendor of
the Orient mingled with the simple
evening dress of the Americans, for
simplicity characterized every Ameri-
can citizen.
When Astra appeared she was her.
self the greatest jewel.
A concert was arranged for the en-
tertainment of the distinguished
guests.
The Countess Rosiny and Mr.. Hale
sat near each other; he was dreamily
enjoying the wonderful mellow con-
tralto voice.
An attendant whispered: "a mes
senger wants to see your ladyship"
Quietly she withdrew from the hall.
Ambrosio Hale looked after her. He
had seen the changing expression on
her face, and shook his head doubt
fully as he watched her leave
A man awaited the countess in a
small reception room; he wore the
black cassock of a Trappist monk. an
ancient order that still existed in a
few of the European countries.
His face resembled that of the
Countess Rosiny to an extraordinary
degree.
When she saw him she uttered one
word: Robert" He motioned fol
her to step nearer, and she obeyed.
The pale padre brought from under
his robe a small parcel and unfolded
it. 1t contained a small locket with
a fine chain of gold. Fine miniatures
were on either side, and pressed be
tween was curl Of black, glossy hair
bound with a narrow black ribbon
One portrait was Rositta's. The 9th
er was a little girls.
In pantomime the monk told Rositts
that he had brought this to her at the
request of the little girl. She watched
him stupidity, seeming unable to grasl