The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-13
PAGE 6

nounced, he looked across the room to where
Evadne sat, pale in her trance-like stiffness.
His face lit up as though sunshine
touched it.
I'm welcoming the Queen Of Pannonia TO
her country" said he with a deep bow, II
would like to assure her that the lower eye
tooth on the left side of my jaw is like all
my other teeth--in the place where it al
ways grew. Any one who wishes to ascer-
tain the truth of this may-put his hand
into the lions mouth
Helso came out of his amazement with a
yell of rage.
care you not ashamed--are you not
ashamed to stand there and own to your
low, mean, crawling trade of spy?" he
shrieked.
The King had been advancing toward his
wife's chair. Turning, he looked back at
the inflamed countenance of the general,
held up his head and squared his shoulders.
The deferential waiter had wholly vanished.
"No, l am not at all ashamed. There
is nothing l would not suffer, and no degra-
dation to which l would not stoop, to do
what l have done, to snatch my bleeding,
Nordernreich. SO help me, Godv'
The queen rose to her feet. Something in
her face arrested the king within some
PAGES of her. She spoke, and Marley was
amazed at the cold clearness of her tone.
MAY l point out to your majesty that
Prince Theobald is guest in my brothers
country, and crossed your frontier at his
own risk, because he believed me to be in
danger?"
Leonhardt bowed deferentially.
LET me assure you, madam, that the
prince shall have royal treatment" he said,
although the reasons you give for his
presence here tonight are not perfectly ac-
curate'
General Helso pressed forward.
King Leonhardt, you have outwitted us
so completely that you can surely afford to
be mercful The prince has no connection
with our political aims
"You surpass yourself general. You Of
fer me this, Immediately after my telling
you that your secret diplomacy lies at my
mercy? Your effrontery is really surpris-
ing. Five minutes ago, upon entering this
room, l gave the secret signal which was
W CONVEY W you lAS HeNS tIdl the Ming
of Pannonia would not arrive here this eve
ming. In other words-the news that he
had really been assassinated this time, with
out hope of resurrection. Judging from the
JOY which lit up the interesting face of the
prince, / think he was not without a very
keen personal concern in the fact that the
job was at last done thoroughly. Count
Loriscu, have the prisoners removed!
No further plea was raised. The Nor
derners made their exit in a deep silence.
The queen was still standing, and seemed
to be hesitating in the act of going out.
Then the silence was rent with the
Swashbuckler's great laugh.
s'Leonhardt! You incurable mounte-
bank" said he. 81 hadn't the vaguest idea
who you were. l tell you, you gave me
bad five minutes when l thought you hadn't
arrived, and the beasts all looked so
pleased, l wondered whether they had got
at you after alp He smote the monarch
over the shoulders heartily. "a waiter! A
waiter of all things" he cried.
Leonhardt's lips parted. His fine teeth
grew visible. Suddenly he looked mis-
chievous boy. His eye rested uneasily upon
his consort, who seemed in no mood for
merriment but he had to laugh
ats very useful line," he said. "The
best ever did, think
The queen suddenly came to decision,
and moved toward the door. She laid her
hand upon Edmee's arm, and the Loriscu
ladies followed. The king himself went to
the door, opened it, and held it open for her
exit. 1t seemed that he tried to catch her
eye, and she denied him. Her GOODNESS was