The Ordway new era., 1917-07-27

most erratic. We knew that If the
whm took him he would perhaps &c
off in an opposite direction, or trudgt
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 was back with the news that
nothing had been heard of his high
ness. Soon after we had left that
morning. howevcr. young man in a
gray suit had called and seen the ma
ior domo. who had directed him where
his highness mig be found.
Upon Eckardf-the commissary of
police responsible for his highncss'
! Sufety-the onuS rested. Yet, had he
| not been sent out with the party, as
| his highness had expressed 10 me Il
wish to be left alone with the stranger
whose name l alone knew?
While we werr discussing the most
judicious 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,
iiiN > anu Illll'l 'iNSdhN
bag of black moire silk.
"Halloar l cried, when he held 1t
up for inspection. This reveals TO us
one fact-a woman has been here"
opened the Iag and within found
small lawn handkerchief with n coro-
net embroidered in It's 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 "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 hlghness' disappearance was
now known to fifty or SO persons,
beaters and others, and I feared lest
ii might get into the Berlin papers
With that object I called them together
and impressed upon them that mos
complete silence must be maintained
regarding the affair.
Then Knof drove me alone back t.
the schloss. l wondered If his high
ness, wishing to get away unobserved
returning in secret there, had left m
written message in his room. II
had done that on one occasion before
e I dashed up to the small, old-worl
t room which by day overlooked the re
: mantle and picturesque valley, bu
|, upon the table whereat / had bee
It writing early that morning there wa
s nothing.
5, The Countess Won kienitz.
IT As turned to. leave I heard foo
Il step, and next instant saw the littl
deformed old countess facing me.
le Her appearance quite startled IN
1t Apparently she had just arrived, fl
n she was in dark blue bonnet ar
warm travelling coat.
r "Ah! Count Won Heltzendorff!' ~ 81
TO cried In that squeaky, high-pitcht
c. voice Of hers. "Is his imperial hig
I'D ness here? I must see him immediat
at ly."
mo, countess. His imperial hig
ne ness Is not here" was my reply. "rh
X afternoon he mysteriously disappear,
is from the forester's lodge at Ne,
Schenke, and we are unable to ira
ed him."
IN "Disappeared!" gasped the old lad
instantly pale and agitated.
ng "Yes," said, looking her straight
e. the face.
I'D DO you know whether he had v
s. itor today-a young, dark-hair
is, manT
OF, "He had, countess. A man call,
his and saw him. At his highness' requ,
. left him alone with his visitor at I
er, forester's house. The mans name W
ere Karl Krahl."
sc. "How do you know his name?" s
, a asked, staring at me with an expr
the sion OF distinct suspicion.
,un "Because-well, because / hapr
Ing to have learnt it some time ago.
the said. "And, further. on returning
ved the house we found this little bag
as the room wherein had left the Gro
prince"
al SWhyl-a lady's bag" she
claimed as held 1t ont for inspecti
mo Yes1 ] said IN Z somewhat b,
ent tore. DO you 1Appen to RECON-
= -1ls5 WAyr, asAsa ~ "a 10,
te1ht ~ bseasss ! so6nlk II = NJ 3