The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, November 17, 1901, Page 16

THE SUNDAY CALL. pan of wealth and the Denver Express awakened in a re- n a small town of Lorry wires ahead and a a romantic at the next station. ges to become quite He is rather dis- to_start tark in the H least ten of the world. I'll risk it e Princess of e it will be just as easy castle as for these rob- wiil be ¢l and will need not behind them. ve he & patck looked to in L the wall hey pistols i placed them care these heavy painter to his ahead. of them to the gate. away > know where The g: to-day saw alon the castl enters that g rid of the fe me tc e wall ce 1 they could barely hey found it neces- they slunk along they paused might draw gone be- to a big gate 2 whispered Anguish. We are un- judging by the Let us cross the ¢ opposite. Be care- they stole across the road embankment » Lorry wrapped v about the heavy ng in that way to the blow tnat head. Then hats, buttoned k down to wait, g hearts a tingling nerves, 1 of the abductors, mutely pray- hey were at the right gate. n the Vienna m aside their htly and LORRY AND spent in the they spoke not and in the could hear v inside the but aside from his foot- was distinguishable. A < came over the two the minutes grew longer and like their stiliness. Kach the leaves vy there were no croaking ve that steady, e the wall. So dark the wall itself was but a deeper shadow against the almost opaque blackness beyond. No night, it seemed to them, had ever been so dark, so still. After the oppresgon came the strange feeling of dredd, the result of an en- . forced contemplation of the affair in which they were to take a hand, ignorant of everything except the general plan. They knew nothing of the surround- ings. If they failed, there was the danger in of being shot by the guards before an ex- planation could be made. If they suc- ceeded, it must be through sheer good fortune and not through prowess of mind or muscle. Once inside the castle, how could they hope to follow the abductors at a safe distance and still avoid the danger of being lost or of running into trusty guards? The longer they lay there the more hazardous became the part they had so recklessly ventured to play, In the heart of each there surged a growing desire to abandon the plan, yet neither could bring himself to the point of proposing the retreat from the inspired undertaking. Both knew the sensible, ju- dicious act would be to alarm the guards and thus avoid all possible chance of a flasco. With misgivings and doubls in their hearts the two self-appointed guardians of the Princess lay there upon the grass, afrald to give up the project, yet fearing the outcome. “The dickens will be to pay, Lorry, it they dispose of this guard on the inside and lock the gate. Then how are we to follow?” whispered Anguish. Lorry was thoughtful for & while. He felt the chill of discouragement in His heart. “In that case we must lie outside and wait till they come out with the Princess, Then make & sudden assault and rescue her. In the darkness we can make them think there are & dozen rescuers,” he whispered at length. After a while An- guish asked another appalling questicn, the outgrowth of brain-racking study: “Suppose these fellows, who will be in suards’ uniforms, should turn about and rapture us. What then? We are strangers, and our story would not be be- lieved. They could slip away in the ex- citement and leave us In a very awkward position.” “Harry, if we are going to hatch up ai sorts of possibilities, let's give up tne thing right now. I have thought of a thousand contingencies, and I realize now desperate the job is to be. We must elther cast discretion to the winds or we must retreat. Which shall we do?” “Cast aside discretion and hang our fears,” said the other, once more inspired. ““We'll take chances and hope for the best. It we see we are going to faifl we can then call for the guards. The grounds are doubtless full of soldiers. The only part I'm worried about is the groping through that strange, dark castle.” We must do some calculating, and wo must stick close together. By watching where they station tbe two Viennese we can figure about what direction we must take to get to the Princess’ room. Shl Isn't that some one approaching?” They strained their ears for a moment and then involuntarily, spasmodically shook hands, each heaving the deep breath of excitement. The stealthy rustle of moving bodies was heard, faint, but positive, It was a moment of suspense that would have stralped the nerve of a stone image. Where were the abductors? On which side of the road, and from what direction did they come? Oh, for the eyes of a cat! There was a slight shuffiing of feet near . a suppressed “Sh!” and then e. The gate opened, a famt ing the fact, followed by thing of men, the noise of the scent of chloroform. me whispering, and then the creaking of the gate. hey've £bne,” whispered Anguish. Lorry’s form arose to a crouching p ture, and a moment lafer he was cro ing the rcad with the tread of a caf, his can gripped firmly in his hand. A followed with drawn re- volver. So still was their approach that they were upon the figure of a inan before they were aware of the fact. In the dark- ness the foremost American saw the out- line of a human figure bending over a long object on the ground. He could smell chloroform strongly and grasped the situation.. The Vi e was admin- istering the drug, h ving left that duty for him to perform. No doubt the treachercus guardsman was ly- ing calmly on his back. bound and gagged, welcoming unconsciousness with a smile of security As soon as Lorry gained his bearfngs fully he prepared to fell the wretch who was to stand watch. Ar ish heard his friend’s figure suddenly (shoot to a position. ‘A whirring sound as of di turbed air and then a dull thud. Some- thing rolled over on the ground and all was still. He was at Lorry's side in an instant. “I hope I h. d him,” whispered Lorry. *“‘Quic is his bottle of ether. Hold it beneath his mose. I am going to pile the body of this guard cross- wise top of him. He will not be able io rise if he should recover consclous- All this was dene in a moment's time and the two trackers were headed for the entrance. ajar two or three With t hearts they stole through. - Ceep close along the wall.” w n t ‘to luck. The cas ered le is to tl Without h crept over the de the wall. Di- tation the; noiseless gra cl be: ; they heard sounds near at hand. The abductors were bindinz and chloro- forming the guard at the arbor. After waiting for some moments they heard the party glide away in the darkness and fol- lowed. The body of the guard was lying t cutside the mouth of the arbor and the odor of chloroform was almost over- powering. Once inside the long arbor, the Americans moved slowly and with greater caution. There was a dim lig window Toward the front story a glow came from another window. They guessed it to be from the Princess’ room or from that of the Countess. At last they saw four figures steal past the dim basement light. One of them halted near the window and three crept away in the kness. Presently one (t themn returned and all activity was at an end for the time being. How near it to 2 o'clock the watchers could not They conly knew that they were twenty-five feet of Geddos and Ostrom, and that they would not bave long to wait. Soon a bright little biaze of light crossed the basement cpening. Then it returned crossing a second time, and a third. Al was still again. The soft shuffle of a fool, the rustle of arbor vines, and the form of a man crawled up to the window. With inconceivable stealth and carefulness it glided through the aperture, followed by his companion. Lorry and Anguish were at the opening a second or two later, lying flat on their stomachs and listening for sounds from within. The dim light was still there, the window was open and there was a sound of whispering. Lorry raised his head and peered through, taking calculations while the light made it possible. He saw an open door on the opposite side of the low room, with steps beyond, leading upward. Between the window and the door there were no obstacles. Up those steps he saw three men creep, the leader carrying the dim light. The door was left open, doubtless to afford unimpeded exit from the building in case of emergency. Harry Anguish touched Lorry’s arm. tell. within “I took the two pistols from that Vien-- We may need them. Go first, Lorry,” na man out there. Here is one for yourself. he whispered. Lorry stuck the revolver in his coat pocket and gentl lid through the win- dow to the floor below. His friend foi- lowed, and they paused to listen. Taking Anguish by the hand the other led the way straight to the spot where he remem- bered seeing the door. Boldly the two men began the breath- less ascent of the stone steps. The top was reached, and far ahead down a nar- row hall they saw the three men and the aim light moving. Two of them worc uniforms of guards. Keeping close to the wall their followers crept after them. Up another flight of steps they went, and then through a spacious hall. The Amer- icans had no time and no desire to inspect their surroundings. The wide doors at the far side of the room opened softly, and here the tvio paused. Down a great marble hallway a dim red light shed its soft glow. It came from the lamp at the foot of the broad staircase. The cook pointed to the steps and then gave his thumb a jerk toward the left. Without the least sign of fear Ged- dos and Ostrom glided into the hall and made for the staircase. The watchers could not but feel a thrill of admira- tion for those daring wretches. But now a new danger confronted them. The cook remained standing in the doorway watch- ing his fellows in crime! How were they to pass him? There was no time to be lost. The ab- ductors were creeping up the steps al- ready, and the cook must be disposed of. He had blown out the light which he carried, and was now a very dim shadow. Lorry glided forward and in an iInstant stood before the amazed fellow, jamming a pistol into his face. ’ “A sound and you die!" he hissed. “Don’t move!” came another whisper, and a second revoiver touched his ear. The cook, perhaps, did not know their language, but he certainly understood its meaning. He trembled, and would have fallen to the floor had not the strong hand of Lorry pinned him to the wali. The hand was on his throat, too. “‘Chloroform him, Harry, and don't let him make a sound,” whispered the own- er of the hand. Anguish’s twitching fin- gers succeeded those of his friend on the cook’s throat, his pistol was returned to his pocket, and the little bottle came again into use. “I'll go ahead. Follow me as soon as you have finished this fellow. Be care- ful and turn to the left when you come to the top.” Lorry was off across the marble floor, headed for the stairway, and Anguish was left in charge of the cook, of whom he was to make short work. Now came the desperate, uncertain part of the tran- saction. Suppose he were to meet the two conspiratofs at the head of the stairs “or in the hall, or that the other traitor, Dannox, should appear to .frustrate all. It was the most trying moment in the whole life of the reckless Lorry. When near the top of the steps he hugged the high balustrade and cautious- ly peered ahead. He found himself look- ing down a long hall, at the far end of which, to his right, a dim light was burn- ing. There was no sound and there was no sign of the two men, either to the right or to the left. His heart felt like lead! They evidently had entered the Princess’'s rocm! How was he to find that room? Slowly he wriggled across the broad, dark hall, straightening up In the shadow of a great post. From this point he edged alcng the wall for a dis- tance of ten or twelve feet to the left. A sound came from farther down the hall, and he imagined he heard some one approaching. His hand came in contact with a heavy hanging tapestry. and he auiekiv or He heard the Princess wail: You have killed him!” 2 that she might not understand his words. Instead there was a deathly silence. Had she swooned? His heart was leaping with hope. But she’ spoke softly again, tremu- lously, and in English: Yol will fini my jewels on the dress- ing table. Take them and go. You will not hurt me?” - “I am not here to do you injury, but to serve your Princess,” sald the man. “For God's sake, do not make an outery. You will ruin everything. Will you let me ex- plain?” “Go! Go! Take anything. I can be calm no longer, Oh, how cam I expect mercy at your hands!" Her tones were rising to a wail of terror. “Sh! Do you want to dle?’ he hissed, striding to the canopy bed, discernible as his eyes grew accustomed to the darkness. “I.will kIl you if you utter a sound, $o help me God!” “Oh!" she moaned. “Listen! You must ald me! Do you haar? “Dannox! Do not strike again! S o squirmed _behind its folds, finding Another heart-breaking moan. “T am himself against a door whh;h moved hcre to save the Princess. There is a as his body touched it. “He felt plot to abduct her to-night. Already there it swinging open slightly and drew are men in the castle, perhaps in her back, intending to return to the hall, room. You must tell me where she sleeps. uncertain and very much undecided as to_ the course to pursue. His revolver was in his hand. Just as he was about to pull aside the curtain a man glided past, quickly followed by another. Providence had kept him from running squarely into them. They were going toward the left and he realized that they were now ap- proaching the Princess’ room. How he came to be ahead of them he coild not imagine. Strange trembling seized his legs, so great was the relief after the narrow escape. Again he felt the door move slightly as he pressed against it. The necessity for a partial recovery d¥ his composure before the next and most fm- portant step impelled him softly to enter the room for an instant's breath. Holding to the door he stood inside and drew himself to his full height, taking a long and tremulous breath. There was no light in the room, but through the door crack to his left came a dim, broad streak. He now knew where he was. This room was next to that in which the Princess slept, for had he not seen the light from her window? Perhaps he was now in the room of the Countess Dagmar. Next door! Next door! Even now the daring Geddos and Ostrom were crawling toward the bed of the ruler of Graustark, not twenty feet away. His first impulse ‘was to cross and open the door leading to the next room' surmising that it would be unlocked, but he remembered Anguish, who was doubtless, by this time, stealing up the stairs. They must not be sepa- rated, for it would require two steady, cool heads to deal with the villains. It was not one man'’s work. As he turned to leave the room he thought how wonder- fully well they had succeeded in the deli- cate enterprise so ‘far. His knees struck the door and there was a dull thump, not loud in reality, but like the report of a gun to him. A sudden rustle in the darkness of the room and then a sleepy voice, soft and quick, as of a woman awakening with a start. “Who is 1t?" His heart ceased beating, his body grew stiff and dmmovable. Again the voice, a touch of alarm in it now: “Is that you, Dannox?" She spoke in German and the voice came from somewhere in front and to his right. He could not answer, could not move. The paralysis of indecision was upon him. “How is it that the outer door is open?" This time there was something like a reprimand in the toncs, still low. le al- most could see the wide-open, searching eyes. 4 X.—YETIVE. There could be no further hesitation. Something must be done and insiantly. He gently closed the door before an- swering the third question. In bis ner- vousness he spoke in English, advancing to the micdle of the room. Impossible to see the woman to whom he hissed this alarming threat—he could only speculate as to its effect: “If you utter a sound, madam, I shall kill 'you. Be calm, and allow me to ex- plain my prescnce here!” He expected her to shriek, forgetting -gave her confidence. There is no time to be lost. I am no thief, before God! I-am telling you the truth. Do not be alarmed. I implore you. Trust me, madam, and you will not regret it. Where does the Princess sleep?’ He Jerked out these eager, pleading words quickly, breathlessly. “How am I to trust you?' came back a whisper from the bed. “Here is a revolver! me if 1 attempt ‘Where are you?” with his hand. Take it and kill the slightest injury. He felt along the bed ‘“Keep ~vay! Please! Please!” she sobbed. “Take the pistol! Re calm, and in heaven's name help me to save her. Those wretches may have killed her already!” The revolver dropped upon the clothes. He was bending eagerly over, holding the curtains back. “My friend 1is in_the hall. We have traced the men to the Princess’ door, I think. My God, be quick! Do you wish to see her stolen from under your eyes?” ‘“You are now in the Princess’ room," answered the voice from the bed, calmer and with some alacrity. “Is this true that you tell me?” “‘As God is my witness! And you—you— are the Princess?’ gasped the fman, drawing back. “I am. Where is Dannox?” She was sitting bolt upright in the bed, the pistol in her trembling fingers. ‘“He s one of the consipartors. One of the cooks and two other guards are in the plot. Can you trust me enough to leave your bed and hide in another part of the room? The scoundrels have mistaken the door, but they may be here at any mo- ment. You must be quick! I will pro- tect you—I swear it! Come, your High- ness! Hide!"” Something in the fierce, anxious whisper The miracle had been wrought! He had composed this woman under the most trying circum- stances that could have been imagined. She slipped from the bed and threw a long, loose silken’ gown about her. “Who are you?” she asked, touching his arm. “I am a foreigner—an American—Gren- fall Lorry! Hurry!" he implored. She did not move for a moment, but he distinctly heard her catch her breath. “Am I dreaming?” she murmured, faint- ly. Her fingers now clutched his arm tightly “I should say nat! I don’t like to or- der you around, your i.ighn but—" ‘“‘Come—come to the light!” she inter- rupted, excitedly. ‘‘Over here!” Noiselessly she drew him across the room until the light fell across his face. It was not a bright light, but what she saw satisfled her. He could not see her face, for she stood outside the strip of dusky yellow. “Two men lie beneath your window, and two are coming to this room. Where shall I go? Come, be quick, madam! Do you want to be carted off to Ganlook? Then don’t stand there like a—like a—beg par- don, I wont say itf® “I trust you fully. Shall 1 alarm the guard?”’ she whispered, recovering her self-possession. “By no means! I want to catch those devils myself. Afterward we can alarm the guards!"” *“‘An ideal American!” she him by saying. “Follow me!” She led him to the doorway. here, and I will call the Countess. this side, where it is dark.” She opened the door gently and stood in the light for a second. He saw before him a graceful figure in trailing white, and then he saw her face. She was Miss Guggenslocker! “My God!” he hoarsely gasped, stagger- ing toward her. ‘““You! You! The Prin- “oess “Yes, T am the Princess, she whis- pered, smiling as she glided away from his side. His eyes went round in his head, his legs scemed to be anywhere but be- neath him, he felt as though he were rushing toward tbe ceiling. For the me- ment he was actually unconseious. Then his sénses rushed back, recalling his mis- sion and his danger. surprised pt “Stand At “She Is sleeping so soundly that I fear to awaken her,” whispered a soft voice at his back, and he whirled. The Princess ‘was standing in the doorway. “Then pray stand back where you will be out of danger. They will be here in a moment, unless they have been frightened away.” “You shall not expose yourself,” she sald, positively. “Why should you risk your life now? You have accomplished your object. You have saved the Prin- cess!"” “Ah—yes, the Princess!” he sald. *“‘And T-am sorry you are the Princess,” he add- ed. in her ear. . “Sh!"” she whispered, softly. The door through which he had first come was softly ovened, and they were conscious that some one was entering. Lorry and the Princess stood in the dark shadow of a curtain, she close behind his stalwart figure. He could hear his own heart and hers beating, could feel the warmth of her body, although it did not touch his. His heart beat with the pride of possession, of power, with the knowl- edge that he had but to stretch out his hand and touch the one woman in all the world. Across the dim belt of light from the open doorway in which they stood crawled the dark figure of a man. Her hand un- consciously touched his back as if seeking reassurance. He shivered beneath its gentle weight. Another form followed the Airst, pausing in the light to look toward their doorway. The abductor was doubt- less remembering the Instructions to chloroform the Countess. Then came the odor of chloroform. Oh, if Anguish were only there! The second flgure was lost in the dark- ness and a faint glow of light came from the canoplied bed in the corner. The chlo- roformer holding the curtains had turned his screen-lantern toward the pillow in order to apply the dampened cloth. Now was the time to act! Pushing the Princess behind the curtain and in the shelter of the doorpost, Lorry leaped toward the center of the room, a pistol in each hand. Before him crouched the astonished desperadoes. “If you move you are dead men!” sald he, in slow decided tones. ‘‘Here, Harry!” he shouted. “Scoundrels, you are trapped! Throw up your hands!" Suddenly the room was a blaze of light; flasMing candles, lamps, sprung into life from the walls, while a great chandelier above his head dazzled him with its unex- pected glare. “Hell!” he shouted, half throwing his hands to his eyes. Something rushed upon him from be- hind; there was a scream and then a stinging blow acrcss the head and neck. As he sank ‘helplessly, angrily, to his knees he heard the Princess wail: “Dannox! Do not strike again! have killed him!"” As he rolled to the floor he saw the two forms near the bed moving about like shadows; two red objects that re- You sembled dancing telegraph poles leaped past him from he knew not where, and then there was a shout, the report of a pistol, a horrid yell. Something heavy crashed down beside him and writhed. His eyes were closing, his senses were going, he was numb and sleepy. Away off in the distance he heard Harry An- guish crying: - “That settles you, damn you!" Some one lifted his head from the car- pet and a woman's; voice was crying some- thing unintelligible. He was consclous of an effort on his part to prevent the blood from streaming over her gown—a last bit of gallantry. The sound of rushing feet, shouts, firearms—oblivien! Sy R i - When Lorry regained consciousness he blinked in abject amazement. There was a dull, whirring sound in his ears and his eyes had a glaze over them that was slow in wearing off. There were persons in the room. He could sce them moving about and eeuld hear them talking. As his eyes tried to take in the strange surroundings a hand was lifted from his forehead and a . dream-like veice said: “He is recovering. Mr. Anguish. See, his eyes'are open! Do you know me, Mr. worry? The unsteady eyes wandered until they fell upon the face near his’pillow. A brighter gleam came into them and there was 2’ ray of returning intelligence. He tried to speak but could only meve his lips. As he remembered her, she was in white, and he was puzzled now to see her “in a garment of some dark material, susg- or the green of 2 hillside. There was the odor of s and violets and carnations. Then he looked for the fatal, fearful, glaring chandeller. if was gone. The room was becoming lighter and lighter as his eyes grew stronger, but it was through a window near where he lay., So It was daylight. Where was he? “How do you feel, old man?" asked a famillar voice. A man sat down beside him on the couch or bed and a big hand grasped his own. Still bhe could not answer. “Doctér,” cried the voice near his head, ou really think it is not serious?” “I am. quite sure,” answered a man's voice from somewhere cut in the light. “It js a bad cut, and he Is just recover- ing from the effect of the other. Had the blow not been a glanci ne his skull would have been crushed. ife will be per- fectiy comseclous in a short time. There is no concussion, your Highness.” “I am so happy to hear you say that,” said the soft voice. Lorry’s eyes sought hers and thanked her. A lump came into his threat as he looked up into the ten- der, anxious blue eyes. A thrill came over him. Princess or not, he loved her —he loved her! “You were very brave— oh, so brave!” she whispered in his ear, her hand touching his hair caressingly. “My American!"” He tried to reach the hand before it faded, but he was too weak. She glided away. and he closed his eyes again as if in pain. “Look up, .old man; you're all right" said Anguish. “Smell this handkerchief. It will make vou feel better.” A moist cloth . was held beneath his nose, and a strong, pungent odor darted through his nostrils. In a moment he tried to raise himself to his elgow. The world w clearing up. “Lie still a bit, Lorry. Don’t be too hasty. The doctor says you must not.” “Where am [, Harry?" asked the wounded man, weakly. “In the castle. I'll tell you all about it presently.” “Am I in her room?” Vo, but she is in yours. You are across the hall in”"—here he whispered— “Uncle Caspar’'s room. Caspar is a Count.” “And she is the Princess—truly?” “What luck!” gestive of the night “What misery—what misery!” half moaned the other. “Bosh! Be.a man! Don't talk so loud, efther! There are a half-dozen In the room.” Lorry remained perfectly quiet for ten minutes, his staring eyes fixed on the ceiling. He was thinking of the abyss he had reached and could not cross. “What time is it?” he asked at last, turning his eyes toward his friend. “It’s just 7 o’clock. You bave been un- conscious or under the influence of ether for over four hours. That guard hit you a fearful crack. “I heard a shot—a lot of them. Was any one killed? Did those fellows escape?” “Killed! There have been eight execu- tions besides the one I attended to. Lord, they don’t wait long here before handing out justice.” “Tell me all that happened. Was she hurt?” “I should say not! Say, Gren, I have killed & man. Dannox got my bullet right in the head and he never knew what hit him. Ghastly, isn't 1t? I feel beastly queer. It was he who turned on the lights and went at you with a club. I heard you call, and was in the door just as he hit you. His finish came inside of a second. You and he spoiled the hand- somest rug I ever saw.” “Ruined it?” “Not in her estimation. I'll wager she has it framed, blood and all. The stains will always be there as a reminder of your bravery, and that's what she says she's bound to keep. She was very much excited and alarmed about you until the room filled with men and then she re- membered how she was attired. I never saw anything so pretty as her embarrass- ment when the Countess and her aunt led her into the next room. These people are golng out, so I'll tell you what happened after you left me with the cook. He was a long time falling under the influence, nd I had barely reached the top of the stairs when I saw Dannox rush down the bhall. Then you called, and I knew the g was on in full blast. The door was open, and I saw him strike you. I shot him, but she was at your side before I could get to you. The other fellows who were in the room succeeded in escaping while I was bending over you, but neither of them shot at me. They were too badly frightened. I had sense enough left to follow and shoot a couple of times as they tore down the stairs. One of them stumbled and rolled all the way to the bottom. He was unconscious and bleed- ing when I reached his side. The other fellow flew toward the dining hall, where he was nabbed by two white uniformed men and throttldd. Other men In white— they were regular police officers—pounced upon me, and 1 was a prisoner. By George, I was knocked off my feet the next minute to see old Dangloss himseit come puffing and blowing into the hall, redder and flercer than ever. ‘Now [ know what you want in Edelweliss!” he shrieked, and it took me three minutes to convince him of his error. Then he and some of the men went up to the Princess’ room. while 1 quickly led the way to the big gate and directed a halt dozen officers toward the ravine. By this time the grounds were alive with guards. They came up finally with the two fellows who had been sta- tioned beneath the window. and who wer unable to find the gate. When I got barr to where you were the room was full of terrified men and women, half dressed. I was still dazed over the suddem appear- ance of the police, but managed to tell my story in full to Dangloss and Count Halfont—that's Uncle Caspar—and then the chief told me how he and his men happened to be there. In the meantime, the castle physiclan was attending to you. Dannox had been carried away. # never talked to & more interested audience in my life! There was the Princess at my elbow and the Countess—pretty as a picture—back of her. all eyes, both of ‘em; and there was the old gray-haired lady, the Countess Halfont, and a half- dozen shivering maids, with men galore, Dangloss and the Count and a lot of se vants—a great and Increasing erowd. The captain of the guards, a young fellow named Quinnox, as I heard him called, came in, worrfed and humiliated I fancy he was afraid he’d lose his job. You see, it was this way: Old Dangloss has had a man watching us all day. Think of it! Shadowing us like a couple of thieves. This fellow traced us to the castle gate, and them ran back for reinforcements, confident that we were there to rob. In twenty minutes he had a squad of officers at the gate, the chief tralling along be- hind. They found the pile of tools we had left there, and later the other chap in the arbor. A couple of guards came charging up to learn the cause of the com- motion, and the whole crew sailed into the castle, arriving just in time. Well, Just as soon as I told them the full story of the plot, old Caspar, the chief and the captain held a shert consultation, the re- sult of which I can tell in mighty few words. At 6 o'clock they took the whole gang of prisoners down in the ravine and shot tHem. The mounted guards are sti looking for the two Viennese who left with the carrfage. They escaped. About an hour after you were hurt you wera carried over here and laid on this couc 1 want to tell you. Mr. Lorry, you are the most interesting object that ever found its way into a royal household. They have been hanging over you as if you were a w-born baby, and everybody's charmed because you are a boy and are going to live. As an adventure this has been a record-breaker, my son! We are cocks of the walk!" Lorry was smiling faintly over his en- sm. are the real hero, Harry. Yom d my life and probably yours. I'll t allow you or anybody to give me a bit of the glory, ., pres the other’s hand. “O. that’s ronsemse! Anybody could have rushed in as I @id I was ping the climax you had prepar ly a timely arrival, as the novels say. The: £ tle of the credit due me, of courge, and I'll take it gracefu but I only come in as an accessory. a sort of bushwhacker who had only to do shoot, slap-bang work and close the a You did the hero's work. But what you think of the way they hand out tice over here? All but tw of dead! ““Whese plan was it to kill those men™" cricd Lorry, suddenly sitting upright “Everybedy’s, I fancy. They consult me, though, come to think of it. Ah, here is her Highness!™ The Princess aud Aunt Yvonme were at his side again, while Count Caspar was coming rapidly toward them. “You must not sit up, Mr. Lorry,” gan the Princes, but he was crying: “Did ‘they make a confession, Har “I dor't kmow. Did the Unc—Count Halfont? Did they confess? Great heav- ens, I never thought of that before.” “What was there to confess?” asked the Count, taking Lorry’s hand kindly. “They were caught in the act. My dear sir, they were not even tried.” “I thought your Police Chief was such a shrewd man,” eried Lorry, angrily. “What's that?" asked a gruff voice, ani Baron Dangloss was a member of the party, red and panting. “Don’t you know you should not have killed . these men?" demanded Lorry They surveyed him in amazement, except Anguish, who had buried his face in his hands dejectedly. “And, sir, I'd like to know why not>” blustered Dangloss. “And, sir, I'd like to know, since youa have shot the only beings on earth who knew the man that hired them, how in the name of your alleged justice you are going to apprehend him?” said Lerry. sinking back to his pillow, exhausted. No reserve could hide the consterna- tion, embarrassment and shame that over- whelmed a very worthy but very impet- uous nobleman, Baron Jasto Dangloss, Chief of Police in Edelweiss. He could only sputter his excuses and withdraw, swearing to catch the arch-comspirator or to die in the attempd. Not a soul in the castle, not a being in all Graustark could offer the faintest clew to the identity of the man or explain his motive. No one knew a Michael who might have been inadvertently addressed as “your’ pessible “highness.” The great- est wonder reigned; vexation, uneasiness and perplexity existed everywhere. Standing there with her head on her aunt’s shoulder, her face grave and troubled, the Princess asked: “Why should they seek to abduct me? Was it to imprison or to kill me? Oh, Aunt Yvonne, have I not been good to my people? God knows I have done all that I can. I could have done no more. Is it a conspiracy to force me from the throne? Who can be so cruel?” -.nd no one could answer. They could simply offer words of comfort and prom- ises of protection. Later in the day gruft Dangloss marched in and apologized to the Americans for his suspicions concern- ing them, imploring their assistance in running down the chief villain. And as the hours went by Count Halfont came in. and, sitting beside Grenfall, begged his pardon and asked him to forget the deception that had been practiced in the United States. He explained the neces- sity for traveling incognito at that time, and Lorry forgave him, magnanimously! After which the Count entered a piea for her Highness, who had expressed contria tion and wished to be absolved. 2 XI-LOVE IN A CASTLE. As the days wore on Lo table and restless. He cofi z':'um.m himseif into full touch with the situation notwithstanding Harry's frequent and graphic recollections of incidents that had occurred and that had led to their pres- ent condition. Their luncheon was served In the Count’s room, as it was inadvisabdle for the injured man to go to the dining- room until he was stronger. The court physiclan assured him that he would bs incapacitated for several days, but that In a very short time his wound would lose the power to annoy him in the least. The Count and Countess Halfont, An- guish and others came to cheer him and to make his surroundings endurable. Still he was dissatisfied,'even unhappy. The cause of his uneasiness and depres- sion was revealed only by the manner in which it was removed. He was lying stretched out on the couch, staring from the window, his head aching, his heart full of a longing that knows but one so- lace. Anguish had gone out in the grounds after assuring himself that his chatge was asleep. so there was no ons in the sickroom when he awakened from a sickening dream to shudder alone over its memory. A cool breeze from am open window fanned his head kindly; a brignt sun gleamed across the trees, turning them into gold and purpie and red ani green; a qulet repose was all that touched him outwardly; inwardly there was burn- ing turmoil. He turned on his side ani curiously felt the bandages about his be- head. They were tight and smooth, and he knew they were perfectly white. How lonely those bandages made him feei, away off there in Graustark! The door to his room opened softly, bug he did not turn, thinking it was Anguish —always Anguish—and not the ome ha most desired to— (Contlnued next week.)