The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-08


 was even now seeking in Paris to win aid for him.
 Not only this, but she was the woman whom Prince Maurice. all though no word Gf 1t had ever passed his lips, very dearly loved.
 His veins were almost frozen with the cold and his, fingers were numbed. The snow was thick upon his military cloak and peaked hat, he had become a figure invisible--a hu-, man icicle. ..
 Yet as the night passed on his heart grew lighter. Death and dis aster he could face as a brave man should. fighting for his people and his kingdom with his sword red in Moslem blood. The dishonor of the woman whom he worshipped would have been a harder thing to bear. So he listened to the guns and watched the red fires leap out into the darkness with Tightening heart, and something which was almost smile upon his blue lips.
 In an hour his vigil would be over! In an hour he would banish forever those vague, but horrible suspicious.
 But suddenly in the topmost win dow of the tower he had been watch ing there flashed for moment 8 faint light. It flickered, went out, and reappeared.
 Prince Maurice felt his heart stop beating, and a cold more deadly than anything he had yet felt went shiver- ing through his veins. Some one was there, waving a lamp, and from the side of the ravine came an an- swering signal.
 The prince looked no moro at the window, but watched the dancing light come nearer and nearer. A man carrying a torch-nothing more--but 0 tragedy in Itself. The light In the window was extingulshed. but It's purpose had been accomplished. Prince Maurice moved slowly along by the side of the wall until he stood immediately in the shadow Of the tower.
 / Soon there came sounds--a mans footsteps untitled In the snow. A torch was thrown hissing forward upon the ground, a mans head and then his body appeared, as. with a final effort, he pulled himself up the side of the ravine. A tall man, breathless from the climb and dis hevelled.
 Prince Maurice could have thrust a sword into his body from where he was, but remained motionless. He was waiting.
 The newcomer set his heel upon the torch. first lighting cigarette from it's embers. Then he stood up- right, and look ed impatiently to- ward the tower. He hummed tune, shock the snow from his clothes, and walked restlessly backward and forward. At last he came to sud- den standstill, and a little exclama- tion of relief broke from his lips. A small nail-studded door at the base of the tower had been opened, and a woman was standing there. She held the lamp above her head, and from where he stood Prince Maurice could see her plainly. She wore a fur cloak which left revealed her pink satin slippers and her face. There was diamonds flashing in her black hair; the hand which held the lamp was ablaze with rings. The man stepped forward confidently, as though he would have entered, but she pushed him back.
 Not tonight, my friend" Prince Maurice heard her say, and he saw. too, that wonderful alluring smile upon her lips, which had befooled many men before him.
 "It is not safe. Do you know that there are men watching my house from the street. and I am almost afraid to come to you for even this moment? See, here I have written down what you wanted to know l have kept my word, but my heart IS sick for 1t. Now go" He bent over her. and the lamp light fell upon his dark, sallow face. with the black moustache and coal black eyes. Then Prince Maurice recognized him, and ground his teeth with bitter rage.
 "Not without word at least, Stphie," the Turk cried. "A curse upon this obstinate prince and his mulish people"
 They whispered together for mo- ment. Prince Matrices hand stole beneath his cloak. and grasped the hilt of his sword. Then there came the sound of the door being softly closed. Then Prince Maurice stepped out. and threw aside his cloak. "Tomorrow, Menid Bey," he cried, you will spend in hell. Draw and defend yourself man. Quick!
 The Turk recognized him with a little cry. He sprang back. but the princes sword was upon his throat
 "on guard. general" he cried. Tor I shall forget my manners, and split you like a dog!"
 "Prince Maurice" he exclaimed. "My friend of the boulevards. Come, be reasonable. We are old friends! Why try to kill che another?
 q have no friends amongst my country's enemies" Prince Maurice cried. "The old days in Paris are gone. was a citizen then. I am a sovereign now. Draw. Menid Bey. or by Heaven I will remember only that I have found a spy sneaking his way into my city. and have you hanged from yCnder turret."
 we cannot see to fight" the Turk protested.
 "Then have at you in the dark ness" Prince Maurice cried. fiercely, with a lunge forward. The Turk was ready, and the sparks flashed from their swords
 "Tis a madmen's contest" he cried. Come Maurice, mine was but an idle errand. The countess and I were friends in Paris. I wished but to show her the way to safety" But Prince Maurice only scoffed as he thrust his naked sword into the darkness.
 "siience," he cried. unless you would dio with a lie on your lips"
 Then the little door in the wall swung suddenly open. and the coun- | tess, who had heard their voices, stood there, holding the lamp over her head. A cry broke from her white lips as she recognized the two men-a cry which changed swiftly into scream of terror. For the light of her lamp. dim though 1t was. and flickering with the wind. was sufficient to show them each others s whereabouts.
 The Turk sprang upon his op- | ponent like a wild cat. Prince Maurice parried his blows with the