Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1917-08-03


most cratic. We knew that if the
within 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 lit and we enjoyed
cigars awaiting KNOTS return. In an
hour he wOs 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
| ior domo, who had directed him where
his highness might be found.
| Upon Eckardt-the commissary of
police responsible for his highness'
safety-the onus rested. Yet, had he
not been sent out with the party, as
his highness had expressed to me
wish to be left alone with the stranger,
whose name 1 alone knew?
While we were discussing the most
judicious mode of action-for 1 scent
ed much mystery in this visit of Karl
Krahl-one of the party discovered,
lying upon the ledge of the window,
lady's small and rather elegant hand
bag of black MORE silk.
"Halloa" 1 cried, when he held it
up for inspection. "This reveals to us
one fact-a woman has been here"
I opened the bag, and within found
a small lawn handkerchief with coro-
o. IL, de-
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 "Willie's"
susceptibility where the fair sex was
concerned, only laughed and declared
that his highness would assuredly turn
up before the evening was over.
Truth TO tell, did not like the situa-
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 1 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
nothing.
The Countess Won kienitz.
As 1 turned to leave 1 heard foot
step, and next instant saw the little
deformed old countess facing me.
Her appearance quite startled me.
she had just arrived, for
she was in dark blue bonnet and
warm travelling coat.
"Ahl Count Won Heltzendorff I" she
cried in that squeaky, high-pitched
voice of hers. as his imperial high
ness here? 1 must see him Immediate
w."
mo, countess. His imperial high
ness is not here" was my reply. ''This
afternoon he mysteriously disappeared
rom the forester's lodge at Neue
and we are unable to trace
him"
disappeared! :" gasped the old lady, :
pale and agltated.
yes" said, looking her straight in
he face.
do you know whether he had Wis /
tor today-a young. dark-haired
nan?" {
"He had, countess. A man called, {
nd saw him. At his highneSs' request 5
left him alone with his visitor at the S
oresters house. The mans name was |
Karl Krahl."
How do you know his nameT' she /
sked, staring at me with an express S
ion of distinct suspicion. j
"Because-well, because I happen 5
0 have learnt it some time ago." v
aid. "And. further, on returning to Il
he house we found this little bag in v
he room wherein had left the crown
rlnce."
''Why Ia lady's bagl" she ex- :
laimed as held it out for inspection.
YES" l said in a somewhat hard b
one- DO You happen to recognize c
~ IL
ME? Why?" asked the old woman. Ii
"Well. because l think it is your own p