The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, November 10, 1901, Page 16

‘THE SUNDAY CALL, raveling on the Den est suddenly awakens attractive young woman who is with i and aunt. He is puzsiing his braia for & way to make her acquaintanc offers itself by the train ac he manages to b the party. He is rather find that so lovely a 4 have the namie of HAPTER VI—Continued GRAUSTARK kens « They look wel feared their > people spered @ were a from t women, as well s men nlike the As average five some a little The two broad- ked like stark mer but they look as scrap,” observed hrowing out his ts, TN though of women wager. The Have y Har- smarter set T, never I believe 1 A paradise Il take out of pre'ty naturali- left the dining- that every eye e place was upon them. They mcelves to the height and strode ween the tables toward the door, feel- t as they were on exhibition they ppear to the best advantage § e evening they heard frequent allusions to “the Americans,” but could erstand what was said. The hotel men were more than obsequious: the mil- men and citizens were exceedingly erential: the women w p « the great e discreetly « to be the w fellow who can speak « and not except talk Engl That fairly an, we our friends t k probably won't be We'll ask him before we go to and upon leaving t lighted garden they = nd asked him if he could spar Guggenslocker where increduious and thought- n, with profound regret, as- em that he had never heard the said he had lived in Edelwelss d knew everybody of conse- guence in the town Su some people here appealingly. He felt disheart heated. An- guish was biting his lips. Oh possibly among the poorer classes. It I were you sir, I ghould call on Captain Dangloss, the Chief of Police. He knows every soul in Edelweiss. I am positive I have never heard the pame. You will find the aptain at the tower to-morrow morning.” The two Americans went to bed, one so dismayed by his disappointment that he could not sleep for hours. VII-THE LADY IN THE CARRIAGE They slept rather late in the morning, t because they were very much fa- sed after their long journey, second for reason that they had been unable to woo slumber until long past midnight. An- guish siretched himself lazily in bed when e heard Lorry’s voice from the adjoining 1 suppose we are to consult the police in order to get a clew to your charmer,” awned Nige friends you pick up on way journeys. I'd be ashamed.” Well, Harry, I'll confess I'm disgusted. Thie has been the most idiotic thing I've and if you say the word we'll e in the first train—freight or The Guggenslockers—pigs—'" was savage. . bit of it, my boy, not a bit of make a house-to-house canvass lice fafl us. Cheer up, cheer up!” ver done, to thunder!” n! Don’t talk like that, or I'll £0 back on you in a minute. I'm here be- zuse 1 choose to be, and I've more heart n the chase at this minute than you have, I've not Jost hope. We'll find the Guggen- slockers If we have to hire detectives to trace ‘em from the United States to their ery doorstep. We're going to see the police after breakfast After breakfast they did go to see the ron Dangloss. After some inquiry they d the gloomy, foreboding prison, and Anguish boldly pounded on the huge s. A little shutter flew open, and a appeared. Evidently he asked was wanted, but he might as well demanded their lives, so far were from understanding his query. Baron Dangloss?’ asked Anguish, promptly. The man asked something else, but as the Americans shook their heads Geprecatingly, he withdrew his face and presently swung open the gates. They en- ed and he closed the doors behind them, locking them in. Then he directed them across the court to an open door In the eged mass of gray stone. As they strode eway from the guard Lorry created con- sternation by demanding: “How are we to talk to the chlef if h wh have the) docsn’t understand us or we him? We should have brought an Interprete: “I forgot about the confounded lan- guage. But if be's real e can talk Irish.” Lorry told him he wasn't funny, “ls this his excellency, Baron Dan- gloss?” asked Anguish, stepping into a small room and stopping suddenly In the presence of the short, fierce man they had seen the day before. The American spoke in French. “It is, gentlemen. Of what service cal 1 be to Messieurs Lorry and Anguish responded the grim little chief, politely rising from beside his desk. The visitors looked at one another in surprise. “If he knows our names on such short notice. he’ll certainly know the Guggen- slockers,” said Anguish to his friefid, in . vou are looking for some one named Guegenslocker?" asked the chlef, smiling broa and speaking excellent glish. * must not be surprised, gen- tlemen. 1 speak many languages. I heard last night that you were inquiring about one Caspar Guggenslocker, and I have racked my brain. searched my books, questioned my officers, and I am sorry to rm you that there is no such person elweiss. 0 well assured of it, Baron Dan- Lorry said. totally unknown to me, sk why vou are searchipg Certainly. - T met Mr. Guggenslocker, wife and his niece last spring In the ed States. They Invited me to come and see them If 1 ever happened to be In this part of the world. As my friend and 1 were near here 1 undertook to avall self of ‘their invitation.” said they lived In Edelwelss, did. and I'll humbly confess I did know much of the principality of austark. “That ‘is certainly then, complimentary, but, we are a little out of the beaten so vou are pardonable. 1 was at under the impression that you were American detectives with extradition papers for criminals bearing the name ou mention.” ! gasped Anguish. “We couldn't find ouvrselves if we shouid be separated captain.” he grizzly bearded - captain laughed 1¥ with them, and then asked Lorry 1d object to giving him the full Lis acquaintanceship with the ans. The bevildered merican pro.npuy told om tring cert. ¢ details, of ¢ . As ue proceeded siew more and more iaterested, at last Lorry came to the n of the strange trio, he gave start, exposed a queer littie » for a second or 50 and then was as ixitke as before. The ever vigilant observed the Involuntary start quick as the Chief had been to recover himself, ahd feit a thrill of trivmph. To his anger and fmpatience, er, the old ohcer caimly shook his at the end of the narrative and an- nounced that he was as much in the dark as ever. n Well, we'll sear awhile for our- selves,” declared” Anguish, stubbornly, not at a!l satistied You will be wasting your time,” sdid the , meaningly. ‘We've plenty to waste,” retorted the other After g few moments fhey departed Baron Dangloss accompany them to the gate and assuring them that he and his men always wouid be at their com- mand. His nati admired the American peopie, he warmly declared. “That old codger knows our people, and T'll bet a thousand on it,” sald Harry, angrily, when they had gone some little distance down the street. Then he told of the queer exposure Dangloss had unwit- tingly made. Lorry, more excited than he cared to show, agreed that there wus something very suspielous about this new discovery They walked about the quaint town for an hour or two, examining the buildings, the peopie and the soldiery with deep interest From the head of the main ireet, Castle Avenue, they could plainiy see the royal palace, nearly a mile away. Its towers and turrets, gray and gaunt, ran up among the green treetops and were outlined plainly against the yeliow hills. Countless houses studded the steep mountain slope, and many people were discerned walking and riding along the rarrow, ledgelike streets which * wound toward the summit, far up in the clouds. Clearly and distinctly could be seen the grim monastery, perched at the very pinnacle of the mountain, several miles away. Up there it looked blcak and cold and uninviting, In great contrast to the and lovelines vown below trees were warmth of the valley. € grass was moist and soft, pproaching the stage whers vellow and red tints mingled with the rich gr flowers were blooming, the land was redolent of the sweet fragrance of autumn, the atmosphere warm, clear and invigorating. It was paradise sur- mounted by desolation, drear and deaden- ing. Wherever the tall, distinguished Ameri- cans walked they formed the center of observation and were the cause of com- ment that bore unmistakable signs of admiration. They bowed pleasantly to many of those who passed them and re- ceived In return gracious and profound recogrition, Military men saluted courte- ously; the women stared modestly and prettily—perhaps covetously; the mer- chants and citizens in general bowed and smiled a weicome that could not have been heartier. The strangers remarked the absence of vehicles on the main streers. There were pack mules and horses, human carriers—both male and female—but during the gntire morning they saw not more than #ix or eight car- riages. Vehicles were used solely by the quality and as a means of transportation for their persons only. Everybody, with the few exceptions mentioned, walked or rode horseback. The two friends were delighted with the place, and Anguisn advocated a sojourn of several weeks, even though they did not find the Gug- genslockers, his object belng to secure photographs and, sketches of the pictur- esque people and the strange scenery, and to idle away some hours upon the glit- tering boulevards. Grenfall, since he was in the project so deeply, was s0 nearly reconeiled as to be exhilarated by the plan. They decided to visit the royal grounds in the afternoon, providing there was no prohibition, reserving a ride up the steep for the next day. A policeman #vho spoke German fairly well told them that they could enter the palace park if they obtained a signed order from the chiet steward, who might be found at any time in his home near the gates, They were strolling leisurely toward the hotel, for the moment forgetting thelr quest in this strange, sunny land, when they espled a carriage, the most conspicu- ous of any they had seen. The white horses were gayly caparisoned, the driver and the footman beside him wore rich uniforms, the vehicle itself gleamed and glistened with gold and silver trimmings, A short distance behind rode two young soldiers, swords to their shoulders, scab- bards clanking against their stirrups. Each was attired'in the tight red trousers, shiny boots, close-fitting black coat with gllt trimmings, and the red cap which the Americans had noted before because of its brilliancy. People along the street were bowing deeply to the occupants, two ladies. “Harry! Look!” exclalmed Lorry, slutching his friend's arm like a vise. “There in the carriage—on this side!” His voice was hoarse and trembling. “Miss Gug—Guggenslocker?” cried An- guish. “Yes! Yes!” They had stopped and Lorry was grasping a gdrden wall with one hand. “Then it's funny nobody knows the name here. She seems.to be some one of consequence. Good heaven. T don't blame you! She's the most Teautiful—" By this time the carriage was almost opposite and within forty feet of where they stood. The ladles, Miss Guggenslock- er's companion as young and almost as beautiful as herself. had not observed the agitated two, but Lorry's face was beam- ing, his hat was off, and he was ready to Spring to the carriage side at a moment's warning. Then the young girl at the side of the woman whose beauty had drawn a man half around the world saw the tall strangers and called her companion's at- tention to them. Once more Grenfa Lorry and Miss Guggenslocker were look- ing into each other's eyes. “The lady started violently, her eyes grew wide, her lips parted, and her body was bent forward cagerly. a little gloved hand grasping the side of the open car- rlage. Her “ideal American” was bow- ing low. as was the tall fellow at his side. When he laoked up again his eyes were- glowing, his handsome face was flushed, and he saw her smile, blush furlously and incline her head gravely. The carriage had swept past, but she turned her head, and he detected an appealing glance in her eyes, a perplexed wrinkle ‘across her brow, both of which were swept away an® instant later by the most bewitching of smiles. Again her head was inclined, this time a trifie more energetically, and then the maddening face was turned from him. The equipage rolled onward, and there was no effort on her part to check its progress. The men were left standing alone and disappointed on the streets of Edelwelss, the object of their search slip- ping away as soon as she had been found Her companion was amazed by the little scene, It was evident, judging by the eager look on her face as she turned with a question In her eyes. ““Turncd down!” exclaimed the irrepres- sible Anguish, dolefully. *That's pretty shabby treatment, old man. But she's quite worth the journey." “I'll_not go back to America without her. Do you hear that, Harry Angulsh?"’ He was excited and trembling. *“But why didn’t she stop?” he went on, dismally. “‘Oh, you dear old fool!" sald Anguish, The two stood looking after the carrlag: until it turned into a side street, half way down the shady stretch toward the castle. They saw her companion glance back, but could not tell whether she did likewise. Lorry looked uneasily at Anguish, and the latter read his thought. ““You are wondering about the Guggen- slocker name, eh? I'll tell you what I've worked out during the past two minutes. Her name 1s no more Guggepslocker than mine s, She and the uncle used that name as a blind. Mark my words, she's quality over here; that's all there is about it. Now, we must find out just who she really is. Here comes a smart-looklng soldler chap. Let's a:k hm, providing we can make him understand.” A young soldier approached, lelsurely twirling a cane, for he was without his side arms. Anguish accosted him in French and then in German. He under- stood the latter and was very polite. “Who was the young lady in the car- rlage that just passed?”’ asked Lorry, eagerly. The face of the soldler flushed and then grew pale with anger. “Hold on! I beg pardon, but wé are strangers and don’t quite understand your Wways. 1 can't see anything improper in asking such a question,” sald Angulsh, at- tempting to detain him. The young man struck his hand from his arm and his eyes fairly blazed. ‘“You must learn our ways. We never pass comment on a lady. If you do so in your land, I am sorry for your ladles. I refuse to be questioned by you. Stand aside, fellow!" Anguish stood aside in astonishment, and they watched the wrathful gallant strut down the street, his back as stift as a board. ‘Damned touchy!” growled Anguish, “You remember what Sitzky said about thelr respect for the weaker sex. I guess we'd better keep off that tack or we'll hutch up a duel or two. They seem to be fire-caters. We must content ourselves with searching out her home and without o, uu:;' l;vlo cooled o:. L ;'lt, Har- ry, and n at I've seen her I'm will- ing to lo';vwly and deliberately, l.nl.‘- 7 take our time and be perfectly cool. I am beginning to agree with your incog. proposition. It's all clearing up in my mind now. We'll go back' to the hotel and get ready for the visit to the palace grounds.” “Don’t you intend to hunt her up? ‘Gad. I wouldn't ‘'miss a minute If I had a chance to be with a girl like that! And the other was no scarecrow. She is.rather a beauty. too. Greatest town for pretty women I ever struck. Vienna is out of it entirely.” They strolled on to the hotel, discussing the cncounter in all its exhilarating de- tails, Scarcely had they seatéd them- selves on the plazza. after partaking of a light luncheon, when a man came gal- loping up to the walk in front of the hotel. Throwing his bridle reins to a guard he hastened to the plazza. His at- tire was that of a groom and something about him reminded them of the footman who eat beside the driver of the carriage they had seen a short time before. He came straight to-where the Americans sat smoking, and bowing low, held before them an envelope. The address was “Mr, Grenfall Lorry,” but the man was in doubt as'to which was he. Lorry grasped the envelope, tore it ‘open, and drew forth a daintily written note. It read: ‘+.y Dear Mr. Lorry: “I was surpristd very much to see you this morning—I may add that I was de- lighted. If you will accompany this mes- senger when he calls for you at 3 o'clock to-morrow afternoon he will conduct you to my home, where T shall truly be charmed to see you again. Will you bring your friend? “Sophla Guggenslocker."” '+ Lorry could have embraced the messen. ger# There was a suspiclon of breathless- ness In his voice when he trled to say calm' to Harry: “Harry! Look!” exclaimed Lorry, clutching his friend’s arm like a vise. “There in the carriage—on this side'” His voice was hoarse and trembling. + e “An invitation for to-morrow.' “I knew it would come"that way."” “Also wantg you to come." han't I be in the way?” “Not at all, my boy. I'll accept for yo! After this fellow goes, I'll let you read the note. 1 think I'll write an/answer.” Motioning for the man to remain, he hastened to his room, pulled out some sta- tionery, and feverishly wrote: “My Denr Miss Guggenslocker: “T shall be delighted to accompany your messenger to-morrow, and my friend, Mr. Harry Anguish, will be with me. 1 have come half way across the continent to sce you, and I shall be repaid if I am with you but for a moment. You will pardon me if 1 say that your namé has caused “me despair, No one seems to have heard it here, and I was beginning to lose hope. You may expect me at 3, and 1 thank you for the pleasure you. bestow. Yours sin- cerely, GRENFALL LORRY." This note, part of which had been wr* ten with misgiving, he gave to the me: genger, who rode away quickly. . “Shé didn't walit long to write to you, T notice. Is it possible she Is suffering from the effects of those three days on the other side of the Atlantic? Come to think of it, she biushed when she saw you this morning,” sald Anguish. Lorry_handed him her note, which he read, ahd then solemnly shook hands with the reciplent. “Congratulations. 1 am a very far- sighted young man, having llved in Paris.” VIII.-THE - ABDUCTION OF A PRIN- : CESS. That afternoon they went to the palace grounds and inquired for the chief' stew- ard. After a few moments they were shown to his office, in a small dwelling- house just Inside the gates. The steward was a red-faced little man, pleasant and accommodatifig. He could speak German —in fact he was a German by birth—and they had no difficulty in presenting their request. Mr. Fraasch—Jacob Fraasch— was at first dublous, but their nk, eager faces soon galned for them his con- sent to see that part of the great park open to the public. Beyond certaln lincs they were not to trespass. Anguish askel how they could be expected to distinguish these lines, being unacquainted, and the newnrhnlmly informed them that ths members of the royal guard would estab- lish the lines so plainly that it would be quite clear. . e X He then wrote for them a pass to the grounds of the royal palace of Graustark, affixing his seal. In giving this pass to them he found occasion to say that tha Princess had instructed him to extend ‘every courtesy possible. to an American citizen. It was then that Anguish asked i he might be permitted to use cam- era. There was an instant and emphatlc refusal, and they were told that the pass Would be rescinded if they did not leave . sown conclusions, the camera outside the gates. Reluctantly Anguish deposited his luckless box in the steward’s office, and they passed into the broad avenue which led toward the pal- ace. A guard, who stepped to their taken ten paces. ‘Where he came from they never- knew, so Instantaneous was his appearance. He remained with them during the two hours spent in the won- derful-park. The palace stood In the northwesterr part of the grounds, possibly a half-mile “Trom the base of the mountain. Its front faced the mountain side. The visitors were not permitted to go closer than a quarter of a mile from the structure, but attained a position from which it could be seen in all {t® massive, ancient splen- dor. Anguish, who had studied.churches and old structuies, painted the c: the Rhine and was something o nolsseur in architecture, was of the opin- ion‘ that It had been standing for more than five hundred years. It was a vast, medieval mass of stone, covered with mdss and ivy. with towers, turrets and battlements. There had been a moat In bygone days, but modern idecas bad transformed the waterway into solid, level ground. This they learned after- ward. Broad avenues approached in sev- eral directions, the castle standing at the far side of a wide circle or parade ground. Th? open space before the balconies was fully three hundreds yards square, and was paved. Frem each side stretched the velvety green with its fountains, its trees, its arbors, its flowers, its grottos and Its red-legged soldlers, The park was probably a mile square, nd was surrounded by a. high wall, on the top of which were little guard-houses and several masked cannon. In all their travels the Americans had not seen a more delightful bit of artifice, and they 14 / wandered about with « merene content that would have appealed to any one but their voiceless gulde. He led them about the place, allowing them to form their draw their own infer- ences and make their own calculations. His only acts were to salute the guards Wwho passed and to present arms when he had conducted his charges to the edge of forbldden territory. ‘When they had com- pleted their tour of inspection their guide rapidly led the way to the wall that en- circled the grounds, reaching it at a point not far from the castle itself” Here was situated another large gate, through which they did not piss. Instead they ascended some steps and came out upon the high wall. The top of this wall was several feet wide, and walking was com- paratively safe. They soon understood tne gulde's design. The object was to walk along this wall until they reached the main gate. Why this peculiar course Wwis to be undertaken they could not imagine at first. Anguish's fertile bratn came to the rescue, He saw a number of women in a distant part of the grounds, and remembering their guide's haste in conducting them to the wall rightly conjectured that it was against custom for visitors to meet and gaze/ upon mem- bers of the royal household. The men and ‘Women, none of whom he could plainly distingulsh from the far-away wall, were undoubtedly a part of the castle's family, and were not to be subjected to the curi- ous gaze of sightseers. Perhaps her royal highness, the Princess of Graustark, was among them. They reached the main gate and de- scended, Anguish securing his: camera, after which the§ thanked the steward and turned to fee the gulde. But he had dis- ::ypenred as If the ground had swallowed m. “"Well. it's fair Vereallles,” observed Angulsh, as they walked down the street, glancing back at the frowning wall. “It all goew ty make me wonder why In the name of heaven we have never heard of this land of Graustark,” sald Lorry, still thinking of the castle's grandeur. My boy, there are lots of things we don’t know. We're too busy. Don't you remember that one-half of the world does :o.t"l:n:: how the other. half ltves? I'll ere are not twenty-five le in the United States who know m.r'."fl'-ucn a country as Graustark.” I don't beifeve that a single soul over there has heard of the place,” vouchsafed Lorry, very truthfully. “T'll accept the amendment,” sald An- gulsh. Then he proceeded to take a snap- shot of the castle from the middle of the street. He also secured a number of Views of the mountain side, of some odd little dwelling houses and two or three in- teresting exposures of red-robed children. Everybody, from the children up, wore loose robes, some red, some black, some blue, but all in solid colors. Beneath these robes were baggy trousers and blouses among the ' men, short skirts among the women. All wore low bodts and a sort of turban. These costumes, of course, were £o the clvile e\, SRt S tocrats was vastly du nt. %‘m were gowned after the latest European patterns and the men, except those of the army, wore clothes almost as smart as those which covered the Americans. Miss Guggenslocker—or whatever her name might be—and her carriage compan- fon were as exquisitely gowned as any ‘women to be seen on the boulevards or in Hyde Park of an afternoon. It was late In the afternoon when they 1eturned to the hotel. After dinner, dur- ing which they were again objects of in- terest, they strolled off toward the castle, smoking their clgars and enjoying the glorious air. Being a stranger in a strange land, Lorry acted on the romintic painter's advice gnd also stuck a revolver fn his pockot. e laughed at the sug- gestion that there might be use for the weapon in such a qulet, model, well-regu- lated town. but Anguish insisted: ve seen a lot of these fellows around town who look like genuine brigands and cutthroats, and I think it just as well that we be prepared.” asserted he, posi- tively, and his friend gratified what he called a whim. At 10 o’clock the slender moon dropped behind the mountain, and the vailey, which had been touched with its tender light, gradually took on the somberness und stillness of a starlit night. The town slumbered at 11, and there were but' few lights to be seen on the streets or in the houses. Here and there strolied the white uniformed police guards; ceca- sionally soldlers hurried barracks-ward; once in a while belated citizens moved through the dense shadows on the side- walks, but the Americans saw still life n its reality. Returning from their stroll beside the castle walls, far to the west of where they had entered the grounds that afternocn, they paused in the mid- dle of Castle avenue, near the main gate, and looked down the dark, deserted strcet. Far away could be seen the faint glare from their hotel; one or two street lamps burned in the business part of the city; aside from these evidences of life there was nothing but darkness, silence, peacefulness about them every- where. “Think of Paris or New York at 11 ¢'cleek,” said Lorry, a trifie awed by the solitude of the sleeping city. “It's as dead as a piece of prairie land™ saild his friend. *’'Gad. it makes me sleepy to look down that street. It's a mile to the hotel, too, Lorry. We'd bet- ter move along.” “Let's lie down rear the hedge, smoke anotker cigar and wait till midnight. It Is too glorious a night to be lost in sleep.” urged lorry, whose heart was.light over tke joys of the day to come. *“I can dream just as well here, looking at that dark old castle with its one little tower iight, as I couM if I tried to sleep in a hard bed down at the hotel.” Anguish, who was more or less of a dreamer himself, consented, and, after Lighting fresh cigars, they threw them- selves on the soft, dry’ grass near the tall hedge that fenced the avenue as it neared the castle grounds. For half an hour they talked by fits and starts: long silences were common, broken only by brief phrascs which seemed so to disturb the one to whom thay were addressed that he answered gruffly and not at all politely. Their cigars, burnt to mere stubs, were thrown away, and still the waking dreamers stretched themselves in the almest impenetrable shade of the hedge, ore thinking of the face he had seen, the other picturing in his artist eye the painting he had vowed to create from the moonlit castle of an hour ago. “Some one coming,” murmured the painter, half rising to his elbow atten- tively. “Soldlers,” said the ““They'll not disturb us.”* “They'll not even see us, I should say. It's as dark as Egypt under this hedge. They'll pass if we keep quiet.” = The figures of two men could be seen aprroaching from the city, dim and ghostly in the semi-blackness of the nigkt Like two thieves, the Americans walted for them to pass. To their ex- ceeding discomfiture, however, the pedes- trians halted directly in fromt of their resting place and seated themselves leis- urely upon a broad, flat stone at the road- side. It was too dark to see whether they were soldiers, notwithstanding the fact that they were less than fifteen feet away. "!{e should be here at 12,” sald one of the newcomers In a low voice and in fair- 1y good English. The other merely grunt- ed. There was silence of some duration, broken by the first speaker. “If this job fails and you are caught it will mean years of servitude.” “But In that case we are to have ten thousand gavvos aplece for each year we lie in prison. It's fair pay—not only for our failure, but for our silence,” sald the other, whoso English was more difficult to understand. Anguish's fingers gripped Lorry's leg, but there was no sound from either of the thoroughly aroused dreamers. “A plot, as' 1 Hve,” thought each, with a thrill. ““We must be careful to speak only In English. There are not twenty people in Edelwelss who understand It, but the night has ears. It is the only safe tongue. Geddos speaks it well. He should be here.”” It was the first speaker who ut- tered these words, little knowing that he had listeners other than the man to whom he spoke. A dark figure shot across the roadway and, aimost before the Americans were aware of it, the party numbered three. 'Ah, Geddos, you are punctual.” “I have found It ever a virtue,” sponded the newcomer. “Have you secured your men?”’ *I have, your—'"" “8h! Call me Michael, on your life! They are ready and willing to undertake the venture?” 7 “Yes, but they do not understand the true conditions. T have told them that we are to rob the castle and carry the booty to Ganlook before morning."” ” ““They do no: know the real object of the raid, then. That Is as I desired. Are they trusty and experienced men?” “The best—or the worst—that I could find In Vienna. Not one understands our language, and they are so ignorant of our town that they are entirely dependent on me. They know nothing whatever of the Princess, Michael, and will do only as they are told, realizing that If caught they will be guillotined. I have told them it is the royal palace we are to rifle. Os- trom, here, and I are the ornly ones, ex- cept yourself and the men who will ald us inside the castle, who know the truth, other briefly. Te- It cannot fail Unless those inside prove false or unworthy,” sald the hoarse- voiced Ol(ro;n pa Angulis! Ingers were gripping Lorry’s leg 80 flercely, that the blood was — to burst out, but he did not feel the paln. Here, then, was some gigantic plot In which the person of the Princess herselt was to be considered. Was it an assas- sination? 'You have five of these Viennese?" “Yes. Two to stand beneath the win- dow to recelve the booty we lower It to the ground, one to stand guard at the west gate and two to attend the carriage nlnd horses in the ravine beyond the cas- 1 3 ‘When did these men arrive?’ ° *“This morning. 1 kept them in my sis- ter's home' until an hour ago. They are now in the ravine awaiting Ostrom and myselt. Are you sure, Michael, that the .guards and the cook have been made to understand ev ? b H_"IMII The faintest slip “They are to be trusted fully. Their pay is to be high enough to make it a object to be infallible. The guard. Du shan, will leave the gate unwatched, and you will chloroform him—with his co: sent. of course. You will enter, as I hav explained before, crawl along in the dark shadow of the wall untfl you reach the arbor that leads to the kitchen and sem lery. Here another guard, Rabbo—known to Ostrom as a comrade in her Majesty service not more than a year ago—will be encountered. He will be bound an) gagged without the least noise or strug. gle. Just as the clock strikes 2 .the cook will walk past the scullery window, i/ the basement, thrice, carrying a ligh: ed candle. You will see this light through the window, and will know that all is well inside the castle. Ostrom, you will then lead the two Viennese to a place directly beneath the third window in tn Princess’ sleeping apartment. There are several clumps of shrubbery there, and under these they will hide, protected from the gaze of any watchman who is not with us. You and Geddos will be admitted to the scullery by the cook, who will con duct you to the hall leading to her high- ness’ bedroom. The man who guards her door is called Damnox. He will not be at his post, but will accompany you when you leave the castle. You will understand how carefully you must enter her room and how deeply she must be chloroformed. In the adjoining room her lady-In-waiting, the Countess Dagmar, sleeps. If Her door is ajar, you are %o creep in and chloroform her, leaving her undisturbed. Then the Princess is to be wrapped In the cloth you take with you and lcwered from the window to the men below. They are to remain in hiding until you have left the castle and have reached their side. Tt will not be difficult, if caution is observed, for you to get outside of the wall and to the carriage in the ravine. I have given you this plan of action often, I know, but T desire to impress it firmly upon your minds. There must not be the slightest deviation. The precision of clock work is necessary.” The man named Mjchael hissed the fore- going Into the ears of his companions, the palsied Americans hearing every word distinetly. They scarcely breathed, so mendous was the restraint imposed upon their nerves. A crime so huge, so daring as the abduction of a Princess, the ac- tual invasion of a castle to commit the theft of a human being just as an ordi- mary burglar would steal in and make way with the contents of a silver closet was beyond their power of comprehen- sion. “We understand fuliy how it is to be done and we shall get her to Ganlook on time,” <aid Geddos, confidently. “Not a hair of her head must be harm- €d,” cautioned the arch conspirator. *“In four days I shall meet you at Ganlook. You will keep her in close confinement until you hear from me. Have you the gnard's uniforms that you are to wear to- right?” hey are with the carriage In the ra- vine; Ostrom and I will don them before going to the castle. In case we are seen they will throw observers off the track long enough for us to secure a good start in our flight.” “Remember, there is to be no failure This may mean death to you: certainly a long prison term if you are apprehended I know it is a daring deed. but it is just of the kind that succeeds. Who would dream that mortal man could find the courage to steal a princess of the realm from her bed and spirit her away from under the very noses of her vaunted guardsmen? It is the bold, the fmpossi- ble plan that wins.” ““We cannot fail if your men on the in- side do their work well,” sald Geddos, repeating what Ostrom had sald. “All depends on their faithfulness.” ““They will not be-found wanting. Your cut-throats must be sent on to Calas with the empty carriage after you have reached Ganlook in safety. You will need them no more. Ostrom will pay them, and they are to leave the country as quickly as possible. At Calas they will be able to join a packtrain that will carry them to the Great Northern Railroad. Fram there they will have no trouble in reaching Vienna. You will explain to them, Geddos. All we need them for, as you know, is to prove by their mere pres- ence in case of capture that the attempt ‘was no more than a case of burglary con- ceived by a band of Viennese robbers. ‘There will be no danger of capture if you once get her outside the walls. You can be half way to Ganlook before she is missed from the castle. Nor can she found at Ganlook if you follow the structions I gave last night. nearly 1 o'clock, and in half an night will be as dark as men; you have no more time this must be accomplished fully, deliberately. There haste until you are ready for Ganlook. Go, but for Ged's harm her! And do not fall™ “Fallure means more to us Michael,” half whispered the hoarse trom. “Fallure means everything to me! must have her!” F " i h HH g £ i s bei HH 1 g ff 8 castle grounds. Michael for a moment and then started swiftly in the direction of the city. forget the calm, cold voice of Michael. with its quaint, jetky English. “What shall we do?" guish when, the men were out of hearing. “God knows!"™ answered Lorry. is the most damnable thing I ever heard of. Are we dreaming? Did we really see and hear those men?" He had risen to his feet, his companion sitting weakly before him. “There’s no question about it! It's a case of abduction, and we have it in our power to spoil the whole job. By Gad, but this is luck, Gren! Anguish was Quivering with excitement as he rose to his feet. “Shall we notify old Dangloss or alarm the steward? There's no time to be lost if we want to trap these fel- lows. The chief devil is bound to escape. for we can't get him and the others, toogd and they won't peach on him. Come, wa must be lively! What are you standing ih‘e'm for? Damn it, the trap must be set! Why not do the whole job our- selves?" “How—what do you mean?” “Why should we alarm anybody? We know the plans as well as these scoun drels themselves. Why not follow them right into the castle, capture them red- handed, and then do the alarming? I'm in for saving the Princess of Graustark with our own hands and right under the noses of her vaunted guardsmen, as Michael says.” Larry was thrilled by the spirit of adventure. His hand gripped his friend's arm and his face was close to his ear. “It is the two buman ever to distinguish themseives!" “Great heaven, man! We can’t do such a thing!" gasped lose. 1f we succeed, see what we've done! Don’t hesitate, old man! Come on!