The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-04-15

aware, the marriage had actually taken place.
 Glanzingfors' eyes bulged stupidly.
 ~"You have beer misinfo There was no marriage. There could not be. They never met Leonhardt was murdered a bare three weeks after he first set foot in his capital-what do they call the place: -Dalmeira!'
 'The confusion in Pannonia made our way fatally easy. To stop the marriage, we had only to stop carriage. When this was done, nobody dreamed that it was done at the instigation of Nordernreich. Al went without hitch Nevertheless, at the time of his murder, Prince Leonhardt was already married to the Princess Evadne."
 Glanzingfors gave an impatient snort.
 "A good story, Rosmer, whoever foisted it upon you. It isn't true, however. Leon hardt, as 1 happen to know, went straight from his own estate of Vrelde to ascend the throne of Pannonia"-he paused to remark with chuckle-"Rather as if ion-tamer should decide to go and reside permanent ly among his pets-eh? Anyhow, he never came to Kilistria, even for an hour."
 "Your excellency is right, as always. What you say is quite true.s Nevertheless the marriage did take place-by proxy. TLe prince sent his friend and ade-de-camp Michael Feroltz, to represent him; and the ceremony was performed here in Gailma, in the private chapel of the Schloss. The Metropolitan will confirm this, assure you. It was perfectly good and legal marriage, with settlements all complete. Princess Evadne and her suite had, in fact, actual ly reached the frontier on their journey to join her husband when the-what is spoken of as the insurrection--took place; and he was removed.'
 Do you know this to be true, Rosmer?"
 "The facts can quite easily be verified, if you think it of importance, as do."
 "Of importance." How can it be of any importance?" broke in Won Reulenz. "The man died years ago and there are no chil- dren-couldn't have been. What does it matter?''
 Tt seems to me to supply reason for that hostility shown by the princess to our embassy, which his excellency so deplores."
 ''I still don't understand why"
 "The princess may have heard that Nor dernreich was concerned in the assassina- tion.'
 Rubbish! How could she have heard?"
 "It has been a weak point with us that we very slow to believe that any other country has an efficient secret servce," sug- gested Rosmer smoothly.
 "What was the idea of this proxy af- fair?" the general wished to know.
 "I am told that when Leonhardt of Vrelde arrived in Pannonia and saw the turbulent disorder which prevailed, he feared lest Kilistria might take alarm; and that, should he not succeed in restoring quiet at once, they might refuse to send the princess into danger. If the marriage had actually taken place they could not back out"
 "I was told yesterday" put in Won Ren- lentz venomously, "that her highness de- clines to be present at any court function which our embassy is invited to attend" He laughed the angry laugh of young man whose vanity is stung. Let her stay away" he said.
 :. "Or-er-leave the country altogether" suggested Rosmer softly. "Why not marry the masterful young lady?"
 There was an immediate "Ahw of at ISHtIoH IIoHl lne StHeTdl anu VOn heulenZ. The prince ambassador sat up suddenly and looked first uneasy then relieved.
 Good" said he; "good indeed! We have just now, unfortunately, several marriage able princes going begging"
 "There is nevertheless one small diff culty," went on Rosmer softly, his eyes still fixed upon his chief.
 "And that is-?"
 .'The princess is not quite certain that she is widow"