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- case. R. REGINALD FORTUNE, M. A, M. B, B. G F.'R. C. S.. was having @ Recture from his father. “You only do just enough.” Dr. For- tune complained. *Never brilliant. No zeal. Now. Reginald, it won't do. Just enough is always too little. Take my wuea for it. And do be attentive to the archduke. God bless you!" “Have a good time, said Mr. Jeginald Fortune, and watched his 1ather settle down in the car (a long process) beside his mother and drive off. They were ‘gone at last, which Reginald had begun to think impossi- ble. and the opulent practice of Dr. ¥ortune lay for a month in the virgin hands of Reginald. “Beautifully patient the mater is” Reginald communed with himself as he ate his third muflin. “Fretful game to spend your life waitin’ for a man get ready. Quaint old bird, the pater. Death-bed manner for & tum- my-ache. Wonder the patients lap it But old Dr. Fortune was good at diagnosis, and he had his reasons for saying that Reggie lacked zeal. At Oxford. at his hospital, Reggie did what was necessary to take respect- able fegrees, but no more than he cous help. It was remarked by his dea- that he did things too easily. ile_-lways had plenty of time, and . there and everywhere, 1 comedy and prehistoric mitn, golf and the newer chemistry, bargees and psychical research. There was nothing which he Kknew pro- foundly, but hardly anything of which he did not know enough to find his way about in it. Nobody, except his mother, had ever liked him too much, for he was a self-sufficient creature, but everybody liked him enough: he got on comfortably with everybody from barmaids to dons. He was of a round and cheerful coun- tenance and a Dperpetual appetite. This gave him a solidity of aspect emphasized by his extreme neatness. Meither his hair nor anything else of his was ever ruffled. He was more at ease with the world than a man has a right to be at thirty-five. * k x * T is presumed that he had never wanted anything which he had not Old Dr. Fortune possessed a suaadl fortune and a rich practice, and Rengie enjoyed the proceeds and pro- posed to inherit both. The practice lay in that pleasant outer suburb of London called Westhampton, a region of commons and a large park, sacred to the well-to-do, and still boasting one or two houses fnhabited by what auctioneers call the nobility. In Boldrewood, the best of these places, there lived at this moment in Reggie Fortune's existence the Archduke Mau- rice, tha heir-apparent to the Emperor of Boh¢thia. You may remember that the archduke came to live in England shortly #fter his marriage. It is, how- ever, not true, as scandal reported, that his uncle the emperor sent him into exile. There is reason to believe that the archduchess, a woman equally vehe- ment and beautiful, was not liked in several European courts. On her return from the honeymoon she made a by trap for that drill sergeant of a king, Maximilian of Swabia, and for some weeks the central powers were threatening to mobilize. But she was a serene highness of the house of Erbach- ‘Wittelsbach, which traces its descent to Odin, and had an independent realm of nearly two square miles, with parlia- ment and army complete, and even the Emperor of Bohemia could not pretend that Maurice had married beneath him. JHMistory will affirm the simple truth that the archduke and the archduchess sought seclusion in England because they were bored to death by the Bo- hemian court which was perpetually oc- cupied in demonstrating that you can be very dull without being in the least respectable. The Archduke Maurice was # man of geniality and extraordinarily natural tastes. His garden—a long walk—a pint of beer in one of the old Westhampton inns made him a happy day. The archduchess was not so sim- Dle, for she loved to drive her own car, | 1 1 e e a ferocious vehicle. But archduchesses may not do that in Bohemia. Reggie. having eaten all the muffins, lit his pipe and meditated on the cases left him by his father. Old Mrs. Smythe had her autumn influenza, and | old” Talbot Browne had his autumn gout, and the little Robinsons were putting_in_their whooping cough. A kindly word! . He was dozing in the dark when the telephone bell rang. Was that Dr. Fortune? Would he come to Boldrewood at once—at once. The archduke had been knocked down by a motor car and picked up uncon- sclous. “Poor old pater!"” Reggie grinned, as he put his tools together. The pater would never forgive himself for being out of this. He loved a lord, did the pater, and since he had been called in toeremove a fishbone from the archducal throat he could not keep the archduke out of his conversation. The royal gen- iality of the archduke, the royal disdain of the archduchess—Dr. Fortune had been much gratified thereby, and Reggie was prepared to loathe their royal high- nesses. Thank Heaven, the pater was safe on his holiday! If his head swelled so over an archducal fishbone, he would have burst over an archduke knocked down. Reggie was practical, if without sym- ipathy: he made haste in his neat way, and the sedate chauffeur of Dr. Fortune was horrified by instructions to let the car rip. The streets of Westhampton are not adapted to this. The district has tried hard to keep itself rural still, and its original narrow winding lanes remain _{ll-lighted and averhung by Boldrewood stands high. and its trees nds border upon Westhampton Heath, across which there is one lamp per furlong. Just Reggie's car as swung round to the heath it was stopped with a jerk. “What's the trouble, Gorton?" Reggie said to the chauffeur. Gorton was leaning sideways and peering into the gloom of the Futter. A gleam from the sidelight winl a body which lay still. “Give me a turn,” ~ Gorton _muttered. His face showed white. Reggie jumped out, but Gorton was quicker. “Lummer, it's’the arfl‘lldukel" he said, and his voice went up, igh. n't be futile. Gorton.” Reggie bent over the body. “Get the lamps on him." Gorton backed the car and ll’& body came into the light. Its fa was crushed. Gorton gasped and swallowed. “But it's not him, neither,” he mut- tered. After a minute Reggie stood up. “He, was a fine chap about an hour ago,” he | sald gently. “All over, sir?" Reggie nodded. “Some hog done him in?" “As you say, Gorton. Running-down Big car. Took him in the back. ‘Went over his head. But I don't see how he got into the gutter.”” He walked round the body, moved it a little, and picked up two matches—unusual matches in England—very thin vestas with dark Dblue heads. *“Why did you think he was the archduke, Gorton?” “Sucn a big chap, sir. Not many his measure. ~ And there's something about the make of the poor chap that’s very like. But thank God it's not the the archduke, anyway." “Why?" said Reggie, who was with- out reverence for archdukes. “Well, let's take him along.” They brought the dead man to the lodge at the-main gates of Bolderwood, and there left him with a message to be telephoned to the police. * % %% TB! hall at Bolderwood is in the Victorian baronial style, absurd but comfortable. Reggie was still blinking at the light when a woman ran at him. His first notion of the Archduchess lanthe was vehemence. She came upon him, a great fur closk falling away from her speed, panting, black eyes glowing, and then stopped short, and he= pale fade was distorted with pas- Dr. Fortune! You are not Dr. she cried. Frtune, Jr..l m.‘du:e lb; sway, and I am in charge of * She murmured something father is his prs BY H. C. looked as if she was going to kil him. His second notion of her was_ that she was wickedly beautiful. A Gleek per- tection In the pale face, but, Lord, what a temper! The dainticst grace of body. ut It moved and quivered like a whip- ash. “My dear Janthe!!" A man came smiling fromt behind the screen by the re. dyish; » lot of color In his clothes, an odd absence of color in him. A bright blue tie with an emerald in it, a bright blue handker®hief hanging half out of the pocket of the silver-gray coat. But his facc had a waxy pallor, his hair, his moustache and little pointed beard were 30 fair that they looked like patches of paint on a_mask. ‘We are much obliged by Dr. Fortune's coming 80_quickly.” The archduchess whirled round. “He i8 too young,” she said in German. “Look at hi He is a boy. “I beg your pardon, madame,” said in a language he did not know, and | He was tall and slight and dan- | THE SUNDAY STAR, WASHINGTON _THE ARCHDUKE’S TEA BAILEY. “No, sir, 1 wish I had. TI'd like to hndve the handling of the bounder that | did it.” “Well, well, we. mustn't gét ex- | cited. Preserve absolute calm, Holt. He's well liked, is he?" “Why, sir, we'd do anything for He—oh, he's a gentleman.” “Quite so. You mustn't leave him a moment. No one—sée, no one—is to come Into the room. I'll be back soon.” “Very good, sir. Beg pardon, sir.” The good Holt Aushed. “What's the verdict?” “It's not over vet!" Reggle went downstairs. . And it appeared to him that he in- terrupted the archduke and the arch- duchess in a quarrel. But the arch- duke was very pleased to see him. eftusive in offering a chair, and so forth. Reggie was not gratified. "1 | must have nurses, sir,” he announced. | “I should like another opinion.” *“You have no nerves, son, and smiled. Fortune?” *'I belleve not, s “This ought to be the making of you. You want shaking up. You must stay in the house. By the way, who's in the house?"" ““The archduchess, of course—"" “janthe. Yes. Aunt'’s in a mad- house. lanthe. Yes. Crazy on motor- And have | nodded at the body on “She is very excited." “Is she really? Sir Lawson laughted. “Is she, though? How surprising!" e is surprising, sir.” ? Be careful, my boy. Handsome creature, isn't she?" | “Yes, sir.” Reggie declined to be amused. ““The Archduke Leopold is staying with them." “Leopold. He's the dandy entomolo- gist. He's tame enough. Well, he’s the head of the house after this fellow.- Bet- ter tell him.” He blinked at Reggie. | | | D. “He lies in very grave danger, madame. 1 permit no one in his room.” She stared at him, her throat quiv- ering, her great eyes bold and bright. Then' with a little shrug she turned away and, plucking at the gold things which jingled from her waist, took a cigarette and lit it. Reggle saw one of those foreign matches with the violet heads. Sir Lawson made his bow, and Reg- gle went with him to his car. “Why did you tell them that the archduke was in grave danger?’ he said. “He'll be safer if they believe he is going to dle,” said Sir Lawson. “Oh, do you think so?" said Reggie. as the car shot away. Then he made an excellent supper and slept sound. He found his pagient peaceful in the C., JULY | morning. No sigh of consciousness yet, but more color in the checks. a deeper breathing and a stronger pulse, more warmth. *The archduchess has come twice in the.might to ask about him, doctor,” the nurse said. "I told her he was no ictter.” “Dld she make a nolse?’ Reggie frowned. “No, she was very good." Reggle went out to take the air, and the air is not bad on the West- hampton Heights. He made a good pace under the great beeches of Bol- drewood, and came out on the open road across the heath. Just there he had found the dead man. A dull red stain could still be seen. It was far- ther on that the archduke was struck. THE ARCHDUCHESS WAS ON HER KNEES, HER FACE PRESSED AGAINST HER HUSBAND'S BODY, AND SHE SOBBED VIOLENTLY. Reggie in the same language. “May I see the patient?” The man laughed. “I am sure we have every confidence in your skill, Dr. Fortune.” All the laughter was smoothed out of his face. “And your discretion,” he said in a lower voice. “I am the Archduke Leopold. You may be frank with me. And rely upon my help.” Reggle bowed. dent happen, sir?” The archduke turned to his sister- “How did the acci- fn-aw. “You know that I do not know,” she cried. “I was out in the car.” Dr. Fortune, she was out in the car.” The archduke paused. “She drives herself. It is with her a little passion. My brother was out walking alone. “Those long walks! How I hate them!" the archduchess broke out. “Agaln, it is with him a little pas- slon. Well, he did not come back. I grew anxious. I am staying here, you understand. My sister was late, too. I sent out servants. My brother was found lying in the road not far from the gate of the lodge. He remains unconscious. 1 fear He spread out his hands. “You—you always fear!” the arch- duchess cried. They exchanged glances like blows. “May I go up. madame?’ Reggle said solemnly. She whirled round and rushed away. = “The archduchess is much agitated, said the archduke. “It is most natural” Reggie mur- mured. “Most natural. Pray follow me, Dr. Fortune. 1 will take you to my brothe! The Archduke Maurice lay in a room of austere simplicity. A writ- ing table, a tiny dressing table, three chairs, and a narrow iron bed were all its furniture. Only three small rugs lay on the floor. At the head of the bed 2 man stood watching. The archduchess was on her knees, her face pressed to her husband's body, and she sobbeqd violently. “The Archduke Leopold looked at Reggle, made a gesture toward her, and said, “My dear Ianthe!" She looked up flushed and tear stained. “T beg your pardon, madame. This is dangerous to the patient, Reggie said. o She gave a stifled cry and rushed out of the room. R THE ARCHDUKE LEOPOLD seemed to intend to stay, but in a moment the voice of the archduchess was heard calling for M. “Better go to her, sir. Keep her out of here,” Reg- gie said, and turned to his patient. It was obvious thdt the archduke did not relish so brusque an order. But the passionate voice was not to be de- nied. The man by the bed and Reggie took each other's measure. “English?™ said Reggle. “Yes, sir. Holt, I am. The arch- duke's valet.” “You undressed him?" “Yes, sir. Was that wrong?’ “Depends how you did it." Reggie began his examination. The Archduke Maurice was a big man. That is 2 habit in his family. He had their fairness, but even in coma his cheeks showed more color than his brother Leopold’s, and his yellow hair and beard had a reddish glow. A bold, honest face with plenty of brow. Reggie went over his body with an anatomical enthusiasm for so_spendid a specimen. “Get me some warm water, will you?' Holt went out of the room. Reg- gie bent over the broad chest. From it, from just above the heart, he drew out & thin sliver of steel. He made a face at it and put it away. Holt came back, and there was sponging &nd bandaging. “You washed him before, I see. Any one else touched him but you?" “Only carrying him, sir. I've been :l"h him the whole time. I found m “Oh. Lying on his face, I suppose?’ “No, sir. On his back. Just like he is now.” - “Oh. Notice lnythln" “You see!” the archduchess cried. “It is as I told you. This boy!” “The archduchess is naturally anx- ious,” the archduke apologized. “By all means. ion—you must yourself. my good friend.” “I have. But 1 want Sir Lawson | Hunter to see the tase. The archduke shrugged.® “It is seri- ous then, Dr. Fortune? We do not wish a great nolse. Is it mot so. Tanthe?" “I would glve my soul she cried. “Quite,” said Reggle. “Very 'well. Discretion, understand, my good friend.” “I'll telephone to Sir Lawson at once.” . “Indeed? It is serlous, then?" t's a_bad concussion.” Reggie bowed and made for the door. “You—Dr. Fortune—" the arch- duchess cried. “Will he—what will happen?"” “There's no reason we ,shouldn't hope. madame,” Reggle sald, and paused a moment watching them. Emotion plays queer tricks with faces. They were both In the grip of emotions, Sir Lawson Hunter is rather fat and his legs are rather short. His com- plexion is grayish and his eyes look boiled. People call Nim dyspeptic, though his capacious stomach has never known an ache; or imagine that he drinks, though alcohol and physicians are his chief abominations. His European reputation as a sui geon has been won by knowing his own mind. Reggie met him at the door and took him upstairs before that puz- zling pair, the archduke and the archdachess, had a eight of him “Glad you could come, sir. It's an odd case."” “Every case is 0dd,” eaid Sir Law- son Hunter. “He was knocked down by a car. The—" “If he was, I can find out for my- self. Damme, Fortune, don’t blas me. Most unprofeseional. That's the worst | of general practice. You fellows must always be saying something.” 1 Reggie held his peace. He knew | sir Lawson’s little ways, having been his house surgeon. The faithful Holt was turned out of the room. Sir Law- son Hunter went over the senseless body with his usual speed and washed his hands. * kXK HSPLEND[D animal,” he remarked. “They run to that, these Pragas. I remember his uncle's abdominal muscles. Herolc. Well. He was walking. A big car, driven fast, hi him from behind on the right side, fractured two ribs and knocked him down. Impact of his nead on the road has caused a serious concussion. That car should have stopped.” Reggie smiled. “Oh, one of the,odd gs is that it didn't. No, sir.” “There's a damned lot of road hogs have confidence in - to be quiet,” then, you - 3 ily. He was himself fond of high speed. “Well. They sent out, I suppose. Found him lying on his face unconscious.” “What?" Sir Lawson jumped, “He was lying on his back.”” “Oh, that's absurd.” “Yes, sir. But I've seen his valet, who_found him.” “These fellows have no observa- tion,” Sir Lawson grunted, but there was some animation in his boiled eye. tDamme, Fortune, he ought to have been on his face.” “Yes, sir.” “Miracles don’t happen.” “No, sir.” “Now these abrasions on the legs. As if the car had been driven at him again while he lay. A queer thing. Or have there been two cars at him?" “And there is this too, sir.” Reggie held out the sliver of steel. “I saw the puncture. I was coming to that. Humph! Whoever put this in meant busine! “And didn’t know his job. It slipped along the bone and miffsed everything.” Sir Lawson turned the thing over. “A woman’s hatpin. About half woman's hatpin.” nurses. But another opin- about, my boy.' said Sir Lawson heart- | “You have nurses you can trust? Well, we'll stay in the room till one comes, my boy. Our friend of the hatpin won't miss a chance. These royal familles they're a criss-cross of criminal tend- encles. Hohenzollerns, Hapsburgs, Pr: gas, Wittelsbachs—look at the heredity “There was another running-down icase here tonight. The man was killed —fractured skull. He was left on the road, too. And another queer thing— he was much the same build as the Archduke Maurice.” “Good Gad!" Sir Lawson was startled out of his omniscient manner, an event unknown in Reggle's experience. “There is something devilish in it, Fortune. One murder—the wrong man dead—and then try again at once the same way. Imagine the creature looking at that poor dead wretch and jumping on the car again to drive it on the other man. Diabolical! Diabolical!"* “I don’t think I have much imagina- tion, sir,”” said Reggie, who was not im- pressed by ineffective emotion. There was a gentle tap at the door, a nurse came and was given her instruc- tions, and the two men went down to the Archduke Leopold. He had changed his clothes. He was now in a claret-colored velvet which did violence to_his complexion and his pale beard. He sat in the smoking room with a book on the entimology of Java and a glass of eau sucree. He smiled at them and waved them to chairs. “I have to tell you, sir, that your brother lies in grave danger,” said Sir Lawson, Reggie looked at him sideways. “Ah, the concussion It is scrious, then? I am deeply distressed.” “The concussion is most serious. There's another matter. In your brother's chest, above the heart, at which it must have been aimed, we have found—this.” “Mon dieu! It is a hatpin—a woman's hatpin. But it is incredible!\ It is mur, der! ‘Attempted murder.” «But what do you suggest, sir? Do you accuse some one?" “Not my function. That pin was driven_at your brother’s heart by some lm‘o‘ Can you tell.me any more, sir?” 2 * k% % |TB‘E archduke buried his face in’ his hands. “I will not belleve it,” he muttered—*I will not believe it.” After a little he controlled himself. “Gentle- men, you have a right to my confidence. I will tell you everything. I trust you to do all that is possible for my poor brother and for the honor of our fam- ily, which to him, as to me, is dearer than life. You know that he is the heir to the throne of Bohemia. My uncle, the emperor, has long been vexed % | with his living in England. 1 came here to persuade my brother to go back to his country. My poor brother has made his home here at the wish of the arch- duchess, who dislikes the dutiés of roy- alty. He was passionately, madly in love with her. But, alas! in these love Imarriages there is often diffculty. | They were not of the same mind upon many things, and the archduchess is of a vehement temper. I fear—but you will forgive me if I say no more. I take one small thing. My brother loved to go walking. The archduchess is pas- sionately fond of her motor car, drives it herself, loves wild speed. My bro- ther detested -motor cars. I fear that my coming gave them cause for fresh quarrels. My brother was ready to go back to Bohemia. The archduchess was violently apposed to it. I confess to you, gentlemen, I have feared some dal, some madness. I thought she scan wou“kl leave him. But this—it is ap- ““The archduchess was out in her motor car _tonight?’ Sir Lawson sald. “Yes. Yes. It is true. But this— must we think 1£2"* ‘"We'have to think of nothing but our duty to our patient,” said Sir Lawson. ‘The archduke grasped his hand. ‘You are right. I thank you. I shall not for- get your fidelity.” The archduchess whirled into the room. She, as Reggle remarked, not cared to change her clothes. She had not even touched her hair, which was escaping in a wild disorder from un- der her hat. “They will not let me see she cried. “Leopold—-" my instructions, madame,” Sir Lawson said. “I am responsible for the s safety. “Fresh fracture. Broke as It was |archduke’ pushed in."” “They're a wild lot,”” said Bir Law-"said Just beyond the turn to Brendon. He found the place. There was a loosen- ing of the road, as if a heavy car had been brought up sharply or made a violent swerve. He walked to and fro scanning the ground. Another of those : foreign matches. He was just picking it up when a motor car stopped a few yards away. Two men jumped out and came to- ward him. One was middle aged n.ndl The ! singularly without distinction. other had a youthful and very jaunty air, and it was only when he came near that Reggic saw the fellow was old enough to be his father. An act- or's face, with that look of calculated expression, an actor's way of dress- ing, a trifle too eémphatic. His present part was the gay young fellow. “Dr. Fortune, I think?" He smiled all over his face. “I am Dr. Fortune.” “Reconstructing the crime, eh? On, you needn't be discreet. I'm Lomas— Stanley Lomas—criminal investiga- tion department, don’t you know? Sir Lawson Hunter came round to me 1ast night. Patient's doing well, I see. That's providential.. Just a moment— just & moment.” He skipped away from Reggie to his companion, and they went over the ground. But Reg- gie thought them very superficial. Lomas skipped back again. “He didn't bleed, then. The other man did, though—the man you found.” “In the middle of the road. And I found him dead in the gutter.” “It's quaint what the criminal don't think of. I'm surprised every time. Did vou find anything here?" Reggle held out his match. “There were twormore like that by the other man. Lomas turned it over. “Belglan make. You buy them all over the con- tinent, don’t you know." “The archduchess carries them.” “Now, that's very interesting. It you don’t mind I'll walk up to the house with vou.” Upon the way he praised the beauties of nature and the quality of the morning air. * % ¥ X AS they came to the door of Boldre- wood a big car passed them with the archduchess driving alone. Lo- mas put up his eyeglass. “She's not overcome with grief; what?” “Not quite.” “Might be know.” “I don’t know. , “It takes some of them that way,” Lomas said pensively. He turned on the steps of the house and looked after the car as it wound in and out among the beeches. “Striking woman. Yes. I'll come up to your room, if you don't mind.” “I thought you wanted to say some- thing,” Reggie said. Lomas did not answer till they were “Well, no. Not to say any- he/resumed, and lit a cigar- ette. “I want another opinion, as you fellows say. Sir Lawson Hunter has made up his mind.” “Oh, he alwaysydoes that.” Lomas lifted an eyebrow. ‘“Well, look at it. Somebody in a car laid for our archduke. The other poor devil was cut down by mistake. And the somebody had nerve enough to go on. That's striking. The archduchess comes of pretty wild stock. In ‘lowe or out of love she wouldn’t stick at a trifle. You find her matches by each body. ¥ou find & hatpin in the arch- duke. That's a blunder, what? Yes, but it's & woman's blunder. She finds he isn’t quite dead after all her trou- ble, she is desperate, and—voila.” He made-a gesture of stabbing. “So you've made up your mind, too, Mr. Lomas?" Lomas blew smoke rings. “I'm wasting your time, doctor. I want to know—has it occurred to you—the archduchess and the Archduke Leo. pold—working it together? If she's fallen in love with .Leopold. - That straightens it out, don't you know.” “Guess again,” Reggie said. Lomas lit another cigarette. “Well, that's what T want to know. You saw them together just after the crime.” He lifted an-eyeb: “Nothing doing. “I'm afraid so. a disturbing case, doctor. doing, a8 you say. bravado, dom't you upstairs. thing, said@Reggle. ' I'm afraid se. Tt Nothing If I had all the - 3, 1921—PART 4. have none,” Resgie said, and opened th door. Then “She's a bit of a dear, evidence in my hands, I expect there’ no one 1 couid touch. You can't ii dict royalty. The archduke’s sm well, let's say it's all in the family. |lunch. Eut this poor devil they killed! Who's to pay for him? These rolay dagoes come over and run amuck on an Eng- lish road, and I can’t touch them. Dis- heartening, what? That's the trouble, doctor. Reggie nodded and, as his breakfast made_ {ts appearance, Lomas rose to H;‘ nHe ‘would not have even Cofi;;. some thinking,” Reggie chuckled “Better get busy, don’t you know. We |« " . must see It we can put the fear of | apbY daye for Leopold. God into them, If they'll go scur-j, rying back to Bohemia it's the best way out.” He skipped off, his jaunti- ness put on again like a coat. Reggie was standing at the window with his after-breakfast pipe when the archduchess brought her car back. She was very pale In spite of the morning air, and her face had grown haggard. “Something'll snap.” Reggle was saying to himself, when a voice behind him said aloud, “Nice car, sir.” He jumped round and saw standing at his elbow the insignifi- cant little companion of Mr. Lomas. “After all, there's nothing like an * k k% duke Leopold sent to ask for news of his brother, and each time Reggie answered that the patient was much the same. “Leopold will be doin’ mas arrived jauntler than cver. “Well, doctor, been enjoying your- self, what?" He shook hands heartily. “Best congratulations and all that. Sound scheme. Ve—ry sound scheme. Well, 1 expect you'll be glad to rid of Leopold, what? I concelve 1 can put the fear of God into him no Free hand, don't you know. Let's take him on.” It was announced to_the Archduke Leopold tnat the Hon. Stanley Lcmas of the criminal investigation depart- ment desired to confer with him. The archduke, who was drinking tea, was pleased to receive Mr. Lomas. He English car,” said the little man. also received Re “ ” o ggie. “Dr. Fortune ‘Oh, you've noticed that Reggie | You have something to tell me?” said. ou do notice something.{ “There is no change, sir." then “No change yet! And you gave me “Of course, we aren't gifted, sir. ! But we're professional. Something in that, don’t you think? Yes. sir, as you say, we have noticed something. It was a foreign car, and foreign tires did the trick last night. And the archduchess drives English. And vet —did you know we had the other half of the hat pin? Ipicked it up last night.” He held out a scrap of steel with a bead head of wrought silver. “German work, they tell me.” 'Viennese,” Reggie said. “You know everything, sir. Such a convenience. But Vienna being quite near Bohem as I've heard—looks 1nr such hopes this morning. These are anxious hours, Mr. Lomas.” “I can imagine it, sir. But I hope to relieve some of your anxieties. I believe we shall discover who wa: responsible for last night's outrage. “So! And so soon! But you are won derful, you English police. You will sit down, Mr. Lomas.” He looked at Reggie, whose lingering naturally surprised him. “Is there anything more, Dr. Fortune? “Dr. Fortune is part of my dence, sir,” said Lomas. “Ts it possible? But you interest me —you interest me exceedingly. Per- mit me one moment.” He slid out of t you came to say?’ the room. . sir. No. I am Super- Lomas turned in his chair and lifted Mr. Iomas sent me to |an eyebrow at Reggie, who was set- you. He considercd you might find it tling his tie before an old Italian Yomvenient to have some one in the|mirror. “Probably gone to change his house who could keep an eye open.” | clothes.” Reggie said. “He's only worn ery kind of Mr. Lomas.” one xuit toduy." There was a tap at the door. The A footman brought in more tea-things, Archduke Leopold’'s valet The Archduker!.pon]r;ld was rhuch sur- prised that T, 'ortune had not brought him news of the patient. The|Pray take a more comforiable chair. Archduke Leopold desired that Dr.|Dr- Fortune—I recommend the chair Fortune would come to him imme- | the screen.’ Let me give you some diately. e was all_smiles. - “Have you made arrangements to eally?” Reggie said. “Dr. For- e o tune’s ‘compliments to_tne archduke. Le8yeErinta g, BIET L omas st ahidrply: and he is much occupied. He can give| «yoy il the archduke a few moments.” Y‘OH have time to catch the mail to. The valet. having the appearance of a man who has never been so sur- i i evi- back. “I am all impatience, Mr. Lowas. But T hope that I do not understand you, never couid handle the nobs.” archduke gave a glance at Reggi Rexsie began to Ket together some |anc jutent on e N ome odds and ends~ a bottle full of tiny|was preparing an injection of strychnine white tablets, a graduated gl a|for his patient.” jug of water, a hypodermic svringe.} ‘Hallo, what's that?" Reggie cried, “You'd better clear out, you know,” {and nodded at the window. “Oh, he,rald to Superintendent Bell. suppose it's the car, Lomas. Your fel- a e come?" lows will have found her and brou; He'll come all right” Reggie said, | her round.” oy ok and took off his coat. ‘When he turn-| ““The car, sir?’ the archduke said, ed, Superintendent Bell had vanished. | and Lomas put up his evegla “Just setting the stage, sir?” said| ‘The car that did the deed. a voice from behind the curtain. The archduke slid across to the win- “Confound your impertinence,” Reg-|dow. Lomas, too, stood up and looked o He gie growled. “Here—" out. They turned and stared at Reggie, * % % ;nm e:“ _;'llnplns l&u‘ le: Lomas 'ro! e 'S - UT the archduke came in. He was |tune. 495] BORHIE, thers IE0D The archduke smiled. “Dr. Fortune has hallucinations,” and he puiled out his handkerchief and dabbed his face, sat down, and drank his tea in gulps. “We'll keep to the point, if you pl ."" Lomas was annoyed. “Dr. Fortune told you that two of his strych- nine tablets would kill a man. He went out of the room. While he was gone you dropped half a dozen tablets into the injection prepared for your brother. I have to demand, sir, that you leave England by the next boat.” The archduke burst out laughing. ‘“The good Dr. Fortune! As you have seen, he has hallucinations. He hears what is not, dreams what never was. But if | were & policemtn, Mr. Lomas, 1 should not make Dr. Fortune a witness. You become ridiculous.” B now a decoration in russet brown. “You are very mysterious, Dr. For- tune,” he complained. “I expect more frankness, sir.” “My patient is my first considera- tion, sir.” “I desire that you will consider my anxieties. Well, sir, how is my brother?" “You may give yourself every hope of his recovery, sir.” The archduke looked round for a chair and was some time in finding one. “This is very good news” he said slowly, and slowly smiled. “Mon Dieu, doctor, it seems too good to be true! Lest night you told me to fear the worst.” “Last night—was last night, si Reggie said. “This morning we begin ito see our way. All the symptoms are good. 1 beileve that in a few hours the patient will be able to { speak.” | “To speak? But the concussion? It iwas so dangerous. But this is bewll- dering, doctor. “Most fortunate, sir. You might talk of the hand of Providence. Well. we shall see what we shall see. He may be able to tell you something of how it al] happened. You'll pardon me, I'm ahxious to prepare the in- jection.” He dropped & tablet in the glass and poured in water. “Fact this“ought to make all the difference Wonderful things drugs, sir. A taste t strychnine—one of these little fel- i{lows—and a man has another try at iliving. Two or three of ’‘em—just {specks, aren't they?—sudden death. { Excus me » moment. I must take a TRANGE people from many parts of the world are figured in the National Museum. For the most part they are savages and semi-savages, but some of the races or sub-races of men shown have be- hind them centuries of civilizsed an- cestry. This section of the museum, which is technically called the ethno- logical section, is perhaps the most i look at the patient.’” {popular in America’s largest curiosity He was gone some time. shop. Perhaps already it is the larg- v e. “fifi"}‘oe‘:'weu. doctor? crowds of men and women stand be- “I begin to think so.” fore the groups of strange people and |the’ cnildren who enter that hall are doctor! 1f only your hopes atre re-!almost entranced by the show of alized. What happiness!” He slid out [ American Indian families of scores of {of the room. tribes, savages from the South Sea the glass of strychnine solution:-{the fastnesses and remote parts of |3 o pehind the curtain Superin. |the Philippines, Borneo, Australia, i%endent Bell rushed out and caught|Africa and nearly every corner and When he came back the archduke |egt curio “shop on earth. Large “I must not delay you. My d!u Reggie went to the table and picked Islands, many kinds of people from alley, forest and island of the earth his arm. “Don’t use it, sir,” he said where naked, breech-clouted or rude- :‘.::;u;,ly Superintendent Bell was 1Y dressed barbarians live. ; i “These figures are lifelike and life- “Don’t be an ass,” said Reggile. He put the glass down, tpok up the bot- tle of tablets, turned them out on a sheet of paper, and began to count sige. They have béen modeled from a plastic substance, colored and clothed as is the habit of the people and arranged in a setting appropriate them. 4 to the subjects. The figures in the {, “Good Lord!" sald Superintendent , groups are postured as though en- 'Bell. “You lald for him, did you? gaged in the occupations to which they are naturally given. In the groups of American Indians women are shown squat upon the ground pounding corn into meal and cooking the foods that commonly find a place on their bill of fare. The men are usually shown as having just {come in from hunting, and the chil- I say, sir,{dren run to meet them. Each group is_intended to represent a family where all the members are at home. The various Indian processes of turn- ing corn and acorns into meal and then into cakes or bread are shown. In one group a woman s grinding corn by rubbing the kernels between “]two stones. In another ®m squaw is sitting before a flat stone inclined at ©labout the angle at which a wash- {What a plant!" “You know, you're an imperti- Inence” Reggie sald and went on counting. “I'll get on to Mr. Lomas, sir,” said the superintendent humbly. “Don't you telephone or I'll scrag you. “Telephone? Not me. you're some doctor.” He fled. Reggie finished his counting and whistled. “He did himself proud, said he. “The blighter!” He shot th: tablets back into their bottle, found another bottle and, poured into it the lokked both he said, with saf tion. “Now for number two. went off to his patient and spent a placid half-hour chatting with the day nurse on dancing in musical comedy. But it was hardly half an hour be- fore the archduchess tapped at the door. Reggle opened it. “This way, if you please, madame.” He led the way to his room. ‘T have something to say."” She stood before him, fierce, deflant. and utterly wretched. “I can promise you that the archduke will recover consciousness. board rests. With a piece of worn flint_resembling & rolling pin she is rubbing to the fineness of meal a handful of grains of corn. Reducing those grains to a coarse powder, she takes up another handful of corn and repeats the process. As this rude In- dian woman ‘mills” the corn between the Mt stone and the long cylindrical stone, one thinks of a woman wash- ing ciothes. * % % HERE are groups of Cocopa In- dians from the Colorado river he had ev arg country in Mexico; Hopi Indians en- “He will live, madam gaged In the work of making beau- She trembled, swayed, and fell. Rek- | 1iru) baskets and showing the leaves gie grasped at her, took her in his|os ' tne yucca in all stages of its arms. and put her in a chair and|manufacture; a family group of waited frowning. She panted | geven Sioux, with one woman pound- at her breast. “He—he will live?” It wi the most piteous cry he had ever hea: faintly, softly, 0, no. No more now. |a stew, one woman v scraping the Ah, desrest” It was in her own|hair off a buffalo hide and two little language. She opened heavy eyes.|Indian maldens beading moccasins. “What is 1t A group of Apaches are dressed in “The archduke has the wild and barbaric elegance pe- He sald—your name. culiar to the prosperous members of Then she began to cry and holding | that tribe. A group of Navajo silver- out both hands to Reggie, ‘Let me go | smiths—four of them—are making to him—please—please.” of jew- a rude bellows | Spoken, madame. no emotions. You will go to yourjcrucible, the most curiou: room and sl 52 . that probably you ever saw, a blow “You—you are a boy.” She laughed | pipe, hammer and stamps. A group through her tears, and thrust her|of Pueblo Indians are shown making hands into Reggie's. bread and cooking 2 meal, and the “] beg your pardon, madame,” Reg- ene is not so tantalizing to the : - | appetite that men, women and chil- le said stiffly. The creature was ab- | {207t 0 Hfor 'an invitation to the dinner. . It mas One group represents a number of Zunis going through the. ritual of et [ “Creation”—the "Ka-Ka—or the sa- eF|cred drama of these people. The Maya Indians of Guatemala are rep- regented and s0, too, are the Tehuel [ urdly adorsble. “You? Oh—Englishman.” made plain to him that he was ex- pected to kiss her hand. He did it like an Englishm: Then th ‘was put to his ips. He cleared his embarrassed throat. “1 :\;ut lr;-l&ti. n:-d-me‘ you Iwlll 2y nothing o s to any one. It's nec- ndians of the Yuko: essary the household should suppose :r:“:o!u:tr;u the 'h-llk-t- of the archduke still in danger.” north Pacific region, and there “Why?' A spasm_crossed her face.|aigo a large group of Kiowa Indias u are afraid of Leopold!” which attracts a good deal of ‘atten- nd you. madame?” Reggie said. |tion. groups is ousehold. che Indians of Patagonia;?the Lou- -McKen- the is fraid? Ne, but"—she shudd: Among the picturesque “but hq is not a man.” one showing a “Hav@ no anxieties, madame. oaNn 1| Three womes, two girls and & man —{he sald to himself, and rang for his| R times that afternoon the Arch- | appeared. |4nd a moment after the archduke come { Y sir, You appear insolent.” prised in hir fife. retired. ““Oh, sir, there will be no delicacy in It's e gift.” Superintendent Bell|handling the affair. You went to Dr. murmured. “It's a gitt, you know. I|Fortune’s room this morning.” The | a little and bexan to smile. Then|ing up astrip of buffalo meat to make ! “He is not the only witness sir. One of my men was behind the curtain.” “Th: archduke poured h f out an- jother cup of tea, give you 1 some more, Dr. ? No? I fear you are malicious. my friend.” He {laughed a littl ‘And’ you, sir. We | sometimes find a policeman corrupt in {our country. We do not permit him to trouble us | “You brought @ German car into Eng- land, sir,”” Lomas said. ““Where is the ca | our spies do not seem very good.” Come, sir, enough of this from his seat with a cry. His body was bent 1in a bow. A horrible grin distofted his face. He fell down and was con- vulsed He gasped; his jcheeks became a dusky = blue. writhed and lay still . . “So that's that,” Reggie said. *“I | wondered what he wanted with half a dozen.” 5 it?" Lomas muttered. chnine poisoning. He's swal- {lowed a grailn or so." . "My Goa! Can you do anything?’ | Reggic shrugged. “He's as dead as : the table.” | “After a wh | Lomas sald, | the fellow | “Oh, 1 don't understand it {gie admitted. “He was out brothe: That meant bein But_why kil him now mor fore? And the archduches: straight enough 1 know. But J he was to this fellow I don't se * *x * % 'HERE'S not much in that,”” Lomas sald. “Maurice couldn't stand the court and it was common talk he meant to resign the succession. While he was quiet over here in England Leo- Pold felt safe. But lately they tell me Well, it's a way out.” ‘But I can't understand all.” Reg- to kill his emperor. than be- She g t how 1 | | J | Maurice has been making up his mind to go back. Duty to his country, don't vou know? The archduchess was strong e business against it. She h of royalty. But { sort of fellow { Leopold came over to see what he coul !do. 1 suppose he on to make Maurice give up the i and worked th Bo- hemian embassy. She's a gypsy what, but she's straight. Sbe is not in this. It wasn't her car. Well, when Leopold found there wag nothing doing he set about the murder. He was a bad egy don’t know? There was a woman in Rome—they kicked him out there. But it was a sound scheme. He had it {all straight—except the wrong tires on his car. Good touch, the hatpin. Seemed like 2 woman in a rage. He knew a lot about women—one kind of woman." There was a tap at the door. The two_walked forward “Sir son Hunter, sir.” The foot- iman tried in vain to see the urchduke. “Yes, bring him up.” Reggie said. Sir Lawson busticd in. “New case Ifor you, sir.” The wo men moved apart and Sir Lawson saw the body. “Poisoned elf. Taken strych- nine.” Lomas said. “Oh, don’t bias him." said Reggie “He doesn’t like that “Good Gad!" Sir bulged. | “Yes, that beats me, Fortune.” imas waved his hand at the body. would have sworn he hadn't pluck.” “Oh, he hadn't. He meant it for me. 1 changed the cups.” “Y " Lomas stared at him. ¥ou heard the car! I heard the car. ake the dose ! You see, I pick- rawson's eves Lo- 1 the led up that poor fellow he smashed last night, | “Good Gad!” said Sir Lawson | _The footman was Dr. Fortune was | phone. ““There’s gain at the door. anted at the tele- one here, isn't there? Put me through” The footman, hard- 1y able to speak at the sight of the dead archduke, retired gulping. - The bell rang. Reggie took up the receiver. “Yes. Yes. Atonce.” and he put it down. “I must be going. Se- rious case. Mrs. Jones' little girl may have German measels.” (Copyrighted and published by E. P. Dutton Strange Peoples Pictured In the National Museum make up the picture. The women wear garlands of flowers around their necks, and the remainder of | their clothing. though very scanty. even according to present-day fa ions. is sutficient. One of the gi |is_represented as straining Kava, | which is said to be a pleasant drink the Samoans. One worian is jounding bark to make cloth and another woman is decorating the cloth by painting figures on it. A man, armed with & spear having many barbs on the spearhead, looks on, as though considerably interested {in the operations of the household. but not sufficiantly interested to take a hand in the proceedings. These people expose a large area of their | brown bodies. A family of the Dyaks of Borneo presents itself to tha public and il- lustrates some of the ways of living of these people. The descriptive card says that the people live along the rivers in the interior of Borneo, “in the midst of heavy tropical forest.” ‘The card relates that they are expert house and boat builders, that they are skilled in the use of the blow- { gun, that they are warlike and that they are still to some extent head- hunters. Their Weapons are Spears. | short swords and blowguns that scnd forth poison-tipped darts, and, ai- | though they do use bows and arrows. this practice is rare. Ghe members of this family are not overdressed, {and in the matter of raiment seem to_follow a very ecopomical style. The family is on the porch of the | communal house engaged in various | occupations, all unconscious of the | spectators. A woman pounds rice in |a biz wooden mortar and another woman is bringing in rice in a bas- ket which she carries on her back aided by a strap across the forehead. A man armed with a blowgun. is bringing in from the forest a red monkey which he has killed for din- ner or supper, and two children are playing a game called “cats and cra- " which is said to be a familiar amusement in that part of the world. * ¥ ¥ x A PHILIPPINE family group is rep- resented, and in the group are three women. One of them is gin- ning cotton, one i§ spinning and one is weaving cloth. A man stands by ‘with a long pliant pole across his | shoulders, and from each end of the i pole hangs a basket of fruit, many of the fruits of the Philippines being counterfeited in the baskets. A pretty | |little_girl seems to be asking the { frutero for a contribution from his i load. | Then, there is a household of Igorot people. A fire is on the ground and one of the three women present is peeling sweet potatoes. In looking at the group and their general living arrangements one is apt to wonder why these people are so particular as to peel the potatoes and then to cook them. One woman is shown ! working at pottery and is just put- i ting_the finishing touches on a big | earthen jar. Not far away in another big glass case, about as large as the ! show window of the average store {lives a family of Negritos, very small {but symmetrical people. They are jcoal black and dusky. One of the | group i8 a very young baby, which its | mother holds, and without doubt she i8 as proud of the baby as any. other ‘mother is of her own particular !little one. Two boys are starting a | fire with friction by rubbing togeth- er two strips of bamboo, sawing the convex surface of one piece with the i edge of the other. A man bearing a long bow and a quiver of &rro comes in bringing a dead game cock. You will also probably stop to look at a Papuan man—a Jet-black man representing the native _inhabitants of New Guinea and the Fiji Islands. | Nearby is a Veddah woman, small in stature and coal black. The introduc- |Tion which one gets to her from the | descriptive card is that she is one of i the true aborigines of Ceylon and that {she belongs to onme of the primitive {types of the human race. The card says that they subsist on whateyes the jungie affords, live in thatched huts and that the men are expert wmen,. - 7! i |