New Britain herald., 1924-07-17
NOW GO oN WITH THE STORY

1 took the carriage. and three min
 utes later l was in my own apart
 ment, on the third floor Of the Hote
 dc Paris Two minutes after that
 was standing in the corridor. watch
 ing in amazement, the scene il
 progress before Apartment Three
 twenty-two.
 ] had heard sounds Of a struggle
 voices raised in anger, and SO hat stepped into the hall.
 Before the open door of th'
 Princes apartment stood a group o
 men. The Russian was there. two clerks from the office downstairs, ana two porters. These latter grippet the arms Of the Englishman. Tho
 Russian was speaking.
 I "We were too quick for him. mes. sieurs." he cried. "The minute missed my keys, I hastened back here, and We are in good time tc catch the thief who took my keys and has invaded my rooms.''
 He spoke In French, and the clerks and porters responded with excited congratulations.
 Search him." cried the Russian.
 The young Englishman, obviously comprehending no French, demanded now the meaning of this assault upon him.
 q missed my keys" replied the Russian in English. "I return to the hotel. tell the clerks. We come upstairs and find you departing from my rooms"
 Young Beresford grew red. But you gave them 10 me yourself, ten minutes ago, in the Sporting Club"
 The Prince smiled. You are a man with some common sense.' he retorted. Who will believe so ridiculous statement?"
 1 I had not been observed by any of the party, and I stepped back silently to my room, leaving the door slightly ajar so that could still see and hear, 1 without my espionage being detected. And if 1t be wondered at that I did not at once come to the rescue of Beresford. let me state that I pre- ferred to watch the unfolding of the plot. You will confess that it was rather pretty one.
 But why have you done such th1Dg'' cried fOrd.
 "Ah now you are prepared to be reasonable" said the Prince. He turned to the clerks, and in rapid French spoke to them. The young man has suffered severe losses. In moment of despair he has com mitted this crime. l am not a harsh man. If he shows the proper spirit of repentance, I am inclined to for give him."
 The French are a warmly impulSiVe people. These members of that gallant race applauded loudly the Russians generosity. Understand ing no English, what followed was incomprehensible to them, and only served to prove to them that Beree- ford was a hardened rascal. For, N English, the Prince spoke to the un- happy prisoner.
 You wonder why I have done this thing? You forget that Madame, your wife, is exquisite"
 Don't mention her name, you swine." cried Beresford.
 The Russian shrugged. But 1t is essential. You see, my young friend, that it is possible for me, with word, to cause these men to release you. I will utter that word on one condition. If you could assure me that Madame your wife would take motor-ride with me. tomorrow, to, let us say, Cannes, why then, Mir. Beresford-" :-...
 He didn't finish the sentence. Young Beresford broke loose from the detaining clasp of the two porters and was at the Russians throat. I tell you, it was magnificent. He had the l big man down in moment, and would certainly have killed him had there been less than four men to drag him away from his victim.
 But four were too many. Bleeding and bruised, they finally dragged him from the Russian. Loudly the clerks assured Beresford that in ten min utes he would be in prison. and that he would be lucky If he escaped with ten-years' sentence. He did not understand them. but if he had, feel certain that it would not have both cred him at this moment. For if tNtl d ilibn was ODStSSNu Wlln d ut- sire to kill his enemy, Beresford was that man. His own predicament meant nothing to him now. save as it interfered with his wreaking a righteous vengeance on the Prince.
 That worthy staggered to his feet | stared through the crack in the | door. Now that the plot had un- folded itself to its sordid denouement. | would have entered upon the scene | and caused Beresford's release by | corroborating his defense, but for | one thing. That thing was an ex- clamation, apparently unnoticed by i the others, that the Prince had ut tered as Beresford first struck him.
 "Ach. Gott!" the Prince had cried. Now. that is a purely German excla- nation. And it was uttered by a man who previously had spoken both | French and English with pro- | nounced Russian accent. Why did | an apparent Russian. in moment of | great excitement. rtter a German | phrase without any sign of Russian | accent. Could if be because the l Prince was really German?
 Now. the Germans are not popular in France. or Monte Carlo, which. 1 despite its independence. is French | .g-