THE STORYTELLER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 53, 27 March 1909, Page 4

THE STORYTELLER.

A COURIER OF THE KING. THE I'KOL'D PRINCESS.

"Sir," said the second secretary at ' •the Embassy, with great politeness, "ilia Excellency will see no one." ' "Sir,'' replied Blent with equal politeness, "his Excellency will see me.'' The secretary frowned and glanced i-uriously at the eard he held in his hand. Who wag Ualpli Brown of the AngloAmerican Development Syndicate that he should adopt such a masterful tone! There was something about the big. brown-bearded man that puzzled him. The second secretary was a newcomer in the diplomatic world, and Jlotslburg, the sleepy capital of Saxelmar, was, a» it Mere, in the backwoods of diplomacy, otherwise he would have known that the brown beard and the name of Brown were the u*ua] disguise of th e most trusted King's Messenger and Secret Seryfce Agent in the employ of Great Brituiu, 'when for certain reasons it was advisable to drop his correct title. ■ The secretary hesitated. Still frowning, he turned shortly on his heel. "I will take your card," he said. "Thank you," said Blent, and he seated himself in one of the big leather chains in the ante-room and began to whistle softly. He "Ma absolutely in the dark as to the reason for his 'presence in the capital of Saxe-Iniar; all he knew was that while in Paris on the previous evening, where he had arrived with despatches, he had received instructions in cipher from thg Foreign Office to report himself— in disguise— to the British Am'baesador at Motsburg. ' "Something exciting, I should say," ■he ruminated, and laughed quietly at 'the proepetet of more active work than 'had Mute his way in the last few "weeks. His thoughts were interrupted 'by the entrance of the secretary. * ■ "His Excellency -will see you," lie ■said, and in the next minute or so •Blent found himself in a large, severelyfurnished room, facing a, tall, grey' ibearded, grave-faced man in a remarkably ill-fitting frock toat. His waistcoat was almost white with cigar ash, and his (shabby Mack tie had worked so industriously upwards as to almost obscure the frayed collar. Sir Hugo Brandon was generally considered one oi the cleverest, a:i"d lertainly the most ill-dressed and untidy of all His Britttnnic Majesty's Ambassadors* to foreign courts. "I'm glad to see you, Captain Blent," he said, rising. • Blent 'bowed, and the Ambassador, after a short search among a litter of J papers on his table, produced a box of cigars.

■ "I understand," lie said slowly, motioning the King's Messenger to be seated, "that you. are in ignorance as ,to what your duties will be in this city?" Blent inclined liis lioad. "Well, it. will be necessary for me to first give you a little insight into the political situation in Saxe-Imar. The tTOuble began with the dehth of old Prince Rudolf, rather more than two years ago; he had 'been a most popular ruler among all classes, and the regret at his death was intensified by the fact that he left no male heir; hie only surviving child was a girl of nineteen, Princes# Etalie." "The present ruler?" interjected Blent. "Exafctly," resumed Sir Hugo, puffing hard at his cigar. "There being no direct male heir, and the prospect of the throne passing to a dissipated old Austrian Prince being anything but popular with the people, it was resolved that Princess Etalie should rule under the regency of Baron Viermier and Colonel Haltz, two of her father's most trusted advisers, until she attained the age ot twenty-one. This decision did not please everyone, for although SaxeImar is not under the Salic law, it lias never before been ruled by a woman." He paused' for a moment; Blent fidgeted impatiently in his chair, wishing the old man would come to the point. "Two months ago," continued the (Ambassador,,solemnly, "the term of regency expired, and Princess Etalie took the affairs of State into her own hands, and almost immediately defied the two ex-regents. She inherits all her grandfather's pride and self-will, without the discretion to see that *the manners of the day of grand old Frederick are not the manners of this civilised, democratic age." "But why is Britain so interested?'" demanded Blent laconically. "You have not yet heard the 'whole •story," said Sir Hugo, with a mild reproof. "But for one important fact 1 think things might he smoothed over, wise counsel might 'prevail with the Princess, and any trouble lie avoided. The important fact I allude to in His Higbnois Prince Adolplms William of Halifourg, who is in the Capita! here, most assiduously wooing the hand 01 the Princess." Blent's eyes gleamed; now lie began j to understand; he threw away the stump of his cigar and leant forward eagerly in his chair. "A marriage with this Prince would not only, be dead against British interests in 'Saxe-Imar, but would be a victory 'for Herman, diplomacy. The Herman Ambassador here makes no secret of 'the favor in which he holds Pririee Adolplms, and the young man lias made a very great impression on a good number of people. There is no doirtrt Hut he is leaving to obtain virtual kingship of the country." "But the Princess?" queried Blent. The Ambassador shook his grey head. "There is no understanding the Prin cess," he said. "She is a pretty, charming girl, but proud, and if offended as fold as an icicle. No man attached to the Court would dare to question her on suth a personal question, and from •what I can gather she makes a confidante of no one. All we kno'w is that the young couple appear to lie the best of friends, and this friendship is troubling both Britain and Austria. Britain, because her commercial interests are threatened; Austria, because Ithlat country hopes to provide the Prince Consort." Blent jumped to his feet. "But what am I to do?" he cried. "You are to save the situation," said the Ambassador I>landlv. "But " ■ "Mr. >Ralipih Brown, or the Anglo- ' American Development Syndicate, has l>een very useful before," *aid Sir Hugo, with a slight smile. "There is a vast tract o'f land about ten miles from here on. 'which l your syndicate think of obtaining an option; you will sec the Prince to-morrow morning, armed with a letter of introduction from me, and broach the. subject. Adolplms will refuse to entertain the idea, for your presumed interest is diametrically opposed to that of the Fatherland, then—then you "will go to the Princess." "I see," said Blen't quickly. "1 shall tell her of mv interview with the Prince, of his refusal and of the apparent reason for it. Her proud Highness will be annoyed, and " "Pray Heaven, exit Prince Adolphus.'' The old diplomatist spoke so tcrventIv that Blent gazed at him in some surprise. Sir Hugo noticed the glance. "Perhaps I ought to tell you, Captain Blent," he said, with a quiet dignity that eat oddly on such a disreput-able-looking figure, "that my interest is more than a question of diplomacy. T love the Princess as a daughter, and would do anything r athcr than see her life made miserable, as it most assuredly will Ibe if she marries this ambitious Prince.- There, there, I mustn't get sentimental, Blent. Vvc roughly indicated the lines you have to go on. Of course. Britain has no wish to offend fierinany in this, a comparatively small matter, su no official action can be taken, but

as Ralph Brown you. have got, if possilde, to -prevent the marriage. I hope k*jnost sincerely, that you will succeed, tor I recommended you for the task."' Blent bowed, shook hands with tlic strange old man, and left for his hotel, promising to be at tlio Kirfbassy at eleven o'elofck' the next morning. That night, whilst at dinner in tfie goregous saloon of the Hotel de l'Europe, he thought that tliore was an atmosphere of unrest, and as he rose from the table to go to the FinokingToom. a waiter approached and told him tha't a footman from the British Embassy lmd a note for him. which had to be delivered personally. ' Blent 'found the man waiting in thei vestibule; he took the sealed letter lo the flmokinsr-room. and after ordering a toffee and' liqueur, tore it open. Then he did not wait for his coffee, hut, hurrying from the room, donned ' his overcoat over his dress clothes, and. hailing a cab, drove Svith all speed to the Embassy. Her Serene Highness Princes* Ktalie of Saxe-fmar had quarrelled with her Koval suitor, and, the oountrv being divided in its loyalty, a revolution was expected. The greater, part of Blent'*

task liiul been ammiplislietl for him, ,Imt what was going to "bu the end? That night Sir Hugo Brandon ami |('a'j>tain Kobert lileut sat talking earn- ' estly in the library of'tile Britibll. Emilliassy far into the early hours of the morning.

Tlie next morning. as soon as he liad breakfasted, l!lent left his Hotel for a walk, lhe handsome main. street looked peaceful enough, and Blent thought the old Aml)a<ssado r must have adopted mo pessimistic a view in regard to a revolution; but once he

reached the older part of the city, nearer the l'ahue. lie noticed little groups o'f excited men at the street

corners, and poliiv scented to be greatly tTi evidence.

Two men passing hurriedly along stopped to look back: alter hi'm, but he went on unconcernedly, smoking his cigar. He had recognised them at ontc. and kiiew their presence in Motsburg at such a time boded mischief. Uevmanv "would not have two or three of her cleverest secret «erv.iee agents at an insignificant little capital unless something of importance were on foot. Climbing the steep hill that lead? to the huge .square in front of the Palace gates, he saw a little crowd collected at the to-p, and several of the mounted police were standing at .their horses' heads close by.

It was not until reached the square itself that he realised the reasoJ for the exlvitement, and then it all seemed to be over in a moment; the great iron gates were swung open suddenly, a band struck up somewhere in the Palace grounds., and the sentries at the gates came smartly to the salute.

Then, preceded and followed by a troop of glittering cavalry, came a carriage containing- a. solitary occupant, dressed in white, with a great white fur cloak over her shoulders and a white fur hat placed jauntily on a mass of chestnut-brown hair. The carriage passed elose to Blent as he mechanically dolled his hat; it was gone in an instant, and behind it clattered the cavalry at a smart trot, a faint cheering and .some hisses ioUowing the short procession. So that was the proud Princess! And a 'proud Princess •she looked, thought Blent. He. had only caught a fleeting glance as the carriage swept past, but -that glance had shown him a pretty, regal-Looking figure, sitting bolt upright among 'the cushions, her face rather pale, and a half-scornful smile ou her lips. Idealising 'that several people were staring at him curiously, the King's 'Messenger hastily wheeled round and began to descend the hill on his way "'back to the Embassy. Something must be done to protect that dainty figure, lie told himself again and again, but, try as lie would, he could see no feasible solution to the problem that was troubling him. It was hardly likely, he told himself, that the life of the Princess would be in danger, but when riot reigns anything may happen. I Suddenly he stopped short and gazed into the window of a shop—his keen eyes had observed the t\vo derma n secret service agents walking towards him ou the opposite side of the street. This time they had another man with them. When they were almost level with him they stopped sharply, and entered ;a. cheap cafe. In an instant Blent was acrctjs the street, narrowly escaping being run down by a motor-car, and gazing anxiously in at the cafe door*. The 'three men had withdrawn to a table at 'the far end ot the room, a tabic in a refcess and partly hidden by a couple of palms; the new man was the only one of the three visible from the door, and lie Avas leaning forward, evidently in earnest conversation with the other two.

1 Blent }>romiptly entered. He fully •realised that he was running a great risk, but little can be done iu anything without taking risk* he had small doubt but that the two Germane -had a very shrewd suspicion as to his identity. and to *be found spying upon them ■would certainly con linn this and put an end to his usefulness in Motsburg. Yen- quietly he made his way to the table, and gained it without any of t-htf three seeing him. Immediately lie wis seated, a. waiter hurried up to' him ami

asked for hi* order: at the same time someone moved at the table behind the

palms. . Blent with grave deliberation took i' pencil from his pocket and wrote hi on the menu "deaf and dumb," then he added an order for a bottle of cheap -wine.

■ A voice from the .next ta'ble called the waiter, and Blent beard a sharp question in German, as to -who was sitting there. He drew well Imek into the recess.

"A deaf and dumb Frenchman, monsieur" repeated the 'waiter carelessly. - The man who had asked the question laughed, and, a* the waiter moved awav, muttered that it was well, for it would lita.ve been a .pity to have to break up such a pleasant party. : The stranger to Blent growled .something below his breath: he seemed to be a surly .sort of iellow. who was endeavoring to strike a Iwrgaiu with the other two. The -King's Messenger beard him referred to as Poitlas. Blent,straining his ears to hear every word of the convocation, could mak" little of it. Whatever the ploit between the three was, it 'was -clear that all the details had l>een settled before. The man Poitlas, Blent pnt down as being a : ruflian, who could be hired to do anythin?. provided the hirers would pay i his terms. 'The disjointed conversation in the wife tended to show that Poitlas was doubtful of receiving his money for a task he had evidently agreed to perform. "But the Prince!'' c-niod one of the German's. and the next instant his companion. with a guttural oath, harshly bflde him be silent. Blent coolly "drank off the remainder of his wine, though his heart was heating quickly. The Prince! That slip on the astute German's part had told him a lot: it had evidently been a surprise to Poitlas. too. for he "was jal/hcring excitedly in a. German patois that Blent could not properly understand. Then he heard a chair drawn back quickly. "It's not wife to- argue here." said

the man "who'was apparently the leader: 'Met us take this .noisv fool round to my rooms." That Kvas enough for Blent: he rose quickly and made for the door. Aipipre- ; liending the po>sibility of desiring a hasty exit, he had paid the waiter when he had brought the wine, and so gained the street unrecognised. Keeping out of sight, he saw his men leave the cafe, and cautiously followed them to a. .small house in the poorer part of the oity; then, having made *. note of the street, lie set off with lon<r, Swinging strides towards the British, Thulmssy. "Whenever Blent wanted to 'think, he walked, and' though hi* un\vonted pace caused some curiosity on 'the part of -passers-by—for the people of Motsburg never under anv pretence hurrv—he took not the slightest notice. ;

!' The Ambassador was out, the young Veond secretary infoilmed him. with Vfi'eat .n'HjMM-t. but would he wait?

"Ves" Maid Blent shortly, and he imI'vitien'tly kicked hU heeU about the lante-room for half-aiii-hour. -when a ifootmui informed him that his Kxceli'encv had returned and would see him lit onee.

\ "Sit down. Blent." said Sir Hugo corlliallv. He was looking un'usually tidy, nnd his lined face was unusually stern. fTve just returned from paying a visit Ito my friend, the German Ambassador." Blent danced enquiringly at him.

i "The 7?arrn is too old a hand to be Hrawn easily." said his FA'celleiicv. with M grim smile. "He knows nothing.'' "Meanwhile?" (pieried the King's Me«»Seucrer.

"Meanwhile there is evm* sign of a .terrible revolution within .the next <l;\y or s<»: tin- troops are for the Prince to •i man. and al'c mightilv at wli.it thev consider a slight upon linn. The -Prince. meanwhile. kc.eps carefully out of tin 1 wny, refutMiiir any explanation. and refusing to take any part in the lvostile attitude of the people. ''You don't believe that?" ejaculated Blent sharply. "Xo. T am convinced that the quarrel in part of a cleverly-engineered scheme. Tf .not, why should it have pot such immediite publicity? The Princess would not have spread the story; then who but Adolphus William could have done so, and why should His Highness I <jo out 'of hi*? Way to do so, unless lie had some ulterior motive?"

"Exa'ctTy." agreed Blent: and then he rapidly told the Ambassador what he had discovered that morninff. Th-e old man's oyes sparkled, and he brought his fid heavily down -on the Stable. Then, as though ashamed of displaying so much emotion, lie drew himself up in his -chrtir and asked .-harplv •if Bleiii. had unv =chcme Vor faking ad•vantatfo of the information lie had I JJle'nt answered his question by asking another:

"Ilow much will our llovernnient jiut ■up to save u revolution ami the aeeeio'io.ll of an unfriendly J'rinre?" It Sir Hugo looked nip in siiTprisu. Some[■thing in the younger man's face stopped j'tho al>ruj)t question he was going to

I "I can hardly say," lie murmured. •"You sete, in the eyes of those at home, I this i« not a big afl'air—it is only a i jquistiou of fairly iniporta.nl trailing,! interests being at stake. What's your odea, Captain Bleat, and how much | money do yon want?" ■ "Fifty thousand," said Blent. The Ambassador sprang .to his feet> •"It's impossible. A lifth of thaP'fcum ii the utmost we could go to. It's " i "There's the (Sovovnment of snxe'lmar," said Blent quietly. "Rut what is .your object?" Then, leaning forward and speaking in low tones, *Llio King's messenger revealed the plan that he had been formulating during his sharp walk to the Ivmbassy. Sir Hugo made no comment •until he had heard the whole story, then he leant across the table.

' "1 -cannot deny that yonr plan seem* to be the only possible solution of the •problem wbieh we have to face." ho said slowly, ••but I doubt if our clover young Prince can lie bluffed." "Our clever young Prince is head ov»r ears in debt/' said ttleut. "Moreover, we have proved tiliat Hiw Highness has somewhat original viewa of honor. •Fifty thousand " "More ,probably thirty, 1 ' corrected the AmWss-ador.

"Very well, even 'thirty thousand pounds would Ik- more than useful to him at this moment, especially a?, through the carelessness of his agents, 1 hold the trump card." • "111-send for Viennier," said Sir Hugo abruptly, mud within a very short .space of time fclie aged Cbaneeilor of SaxoImar was announced. Incredulous at first, the old man was soon converted. He was a. firm friend of Sir Hugo, with a strong and unreasoning hatred of Hermans and 'all things German. Blent saw from hi.s manner that he Joved the girl niler he served as a daughter, despite the "way she continually rejected h.is well-meant advice. When Captain Kob'ert Blent, of Ilis Majesty's Corps l or Messengers, walked into his hotel for lunch. authorised by tlie representatives of the British and Sa*e-linar (Governments to promise Ilis .Royal Highness Prince Adolphus William of Hals'burg the sum of forty thousand •jHjunds sterling upon, certain conditions. the 'footman i'n the gorgeous liverv who -attended 1 to the door- of the white house on the hill that afternoon said many liard things about M'r. Kalph Brown, of tihe Anglo-American Development .Syndicate. No, the Prince was not in. No. lie could not -say 'where he was. No he did not know when he would be back. No, Mr. Brown could not wait in the. house for him—no one was to be admitted during the absence of llis Hi-'i-ness.'' v "

Three times within a tuupJc of hours he had ropeatcd the fonniila, Imt the uig man with tile brown bean] had Hiii'ilml eheerfully each aiim-, ami said he would cull again. Blent wa» surely tcmptwl to descend mto Motsburg to while awtiv an hour or >o, but ho Avjus not to risk the chance of his quarry sithrough h,Ls so -he waited and waited until nearly seven o'clock, when a brouglLam drove up to the <whitc house, and a man descended 'and strode up to the door, wliieli wan immediately opened. The footman had hardly dosed tin* door again when Went rang the bell. Ilw footman smiled grimly this time, auked liini into a 'small reception-room, and took in his card, together with hi* letter of introduction from the British Ambassador. His Highness would see him, the footman announced a few minutes later, and Went found himself in a lialf li'brarv, half liacbelor's don, facing a short young man with -a sallow ImT not unhandsome face and a pair of, glittering *l»lack eyes. He wa* holding; the Ambassador's letter in ],is hantCj an<* Jiis eyes were fixed sharply on the i King's Messenger as he entered. 1 "And what is your business, Mr.— Brown?" he asked, dwelling on the surname in iii peculiar manner. "'To stop the threatening revolution in Motsburg," replied Blent eoollv. The Prince was surjVrised out'of his native caution. "Then you are Blent!" he cried, and the next moment he flushed angrily. "Kxaetly. Vour Highness," .replied the King's Messenger; "your :spies, Berluc and Voidzer. were perfectly correct in their assumption I hey are not my spies!'' snapped the Prince angrily. "I congratulate Vour Highness," The Prince glanced at him sharply ami then laughed uneasily. "Look here, Mr. Brown, or Captain Blent, or whatever yon care to call yourself, my time is too valuable to waste in bandying words with von. Ji' you have anything to say, say'it. and allow .me to eat my dinner in peace.*' Though the man spoke Mieeringly. there was a somewhat anxious look on h-is face, and Jus lingers drummed nervously upon the table near which he f stood. Blent approached dose to the Prince and s»poke in a low but very distinct voice.

"All I have lo ask you. Vour Highnes>. is that yon will immediately leave ■Saxe-lmar and am-pl hj, consideration of any inconvenience you are put to. the sum of forty thousand pound*/' The Prince started back, half frightened: then an incredulous look came into bis eyes and he laughed harshly. "Where is the money to come from?" he demanded, recovering his composure by an elYort. "Shall we say firom the Anglo-Ameri-can Development Syndicate?" Blent said, with the suspicion of a smile. I he Prince hesitated for a moment, then he crossed thOi room towards tin 1 electric bell. > "Mow dare you come .and talk this noiiriviiNe to nic! M'v servants deal with such " "Don't ring that bell!''" Till' other h heeled round., astuund'ed at the sharp command. "What do you mean? I " "If yoii ring that bell, Vour Highness," |liont quietly, "I >hall be under the painful necessity of denouncing you as a revolutionary leader and for (conspiring with two' well-known German agontf and a rulliau named Poitla> against the safety „f the ruler !of this Stale.'' The change in the jPriace wa* startling in its suddenness, his jaw dropped, and his limbs trembled violently. The King's Messenger watched him unmoved.'except for the conilciuptuoucur) of his upper lip. "It's a lie!'' he -gasiped. after several painful .attempt- to speak. "I have proofs." said' lilent. ami then in less stern- tones: "N'ow. Vour Highness, don't vou see the 'wisdom <vl" mv •uggestion? T hold the (runup card-, and if anything iconics of t his revolu-

lira 1 have isuJlicicnt proof jo make things at least very uncomfortable. Or the other hand, the money is " 'Vurse your money!" shrieked (In Prince. 1 lis face .was livid and his eve* gleaming like tho>e of a madman, "Vour money is too lafr!" Then mechanically he repeated Hie word> in a lower tone: "Too late- too late now." ; "What do yon mean?" a>ked llb-nt harshly: he had caught the crinL'inu man by the shoulders and <was -bilking him until his leeth cha'ttered. "The revolution starts to-ni-jM." L:,i.-|'.'*il the Prince, turning a <rh:if.|ly ifat-i- up to ilie 1a 11 man who held him "At a ipiavter to eight, when I lie Prin-ee-s leave- ther private apart win s ior the din'inif-alooj). *he-Alie i- lo |,c lilent tiling the snivelling wrelch

;iv from him and In- fell in ;i heap <m tin- carpet. A< he did so ho fi:»nred hazily ai (he t>nu<<!n dock on '):•> maiiielpiecc- it wa* tin- ;»mM wenly minutes .past seven. He had under half-an-hour in -which i lo reach 1110 Pa'lacc-and (lie Palace wa« ncavlv two mile- awav on the opposite hill. hi an instant he made f<»r ttie doo-. ignoring aci v -from the man Ktill 1 \ inir on (he -rtirpel. The footman, willi a Mart-led look on hi- usually impassive face, had the door opc.n for him before he reached it.

' The chilly evening air steadied Blcnl's nerve-s and lie. knew well he \W)illd need (o he cool and colleclcd if (he dastardly act in the Palace were to

lie (prevented. There .w«as no or a <-ah i.n ilie deserted avenue, and the King's Messenger started at a run down the Heep liill in Uie direction of the town. But a*; lie van he kaic\v he would never he .in time miles- he oould .«nnie vehicle.

| Then, as he approached a large house ! from which came t,he sound of music, he saw a imir-horse carriage standing in th" roadway opposite: the driver was on the box. but the footman wa* talking to another servant under the awnin<r 'that stretched across the pavement.

P.lent's run became a rapid walk, his hand to hU lrip pocket, and he

transferred something to a handier place, then, as lie came level -with the carriage, ho swung himself abruptly on to the box.

I The coachman, who had been half |asleep, looked up at him in amazement. "Tho Palace, as quick as you can drive!" commanded the intruder sharp* ' ly* "What !" The sentence wag never completed, for something round and cold was prewsed to the sidu of his head. As though pursued by iifty thousand fiends did that coachman drive; he forgo! the prospect 01 .his mistress's wrath, ■forgot everything except that lie was in the power of this strange, masterful l •man, whose onv desire was speed—ripeed! ".He is mad!" he groaned, and again and again he lashed his horses lest the madman, dissatislicd at his puce, should in hiv annoyance pull the trigger t'he revolver Hint was pressed to hi* head..

"The police, monsieur!'* he gapped, as tlie carriage, rocking dangerously from side to side, approached the busier pari of the citv.

"Curse lilt' polic-!" cried Blent; he had noticed llie time by the ornament il dock at tlie corner of the Parade dec-. Angiitis—there wove only te-,i minutes loft. Hoarse >hout- and commands followed in the wake of the madly-driven carriage, and people *tood staring dazedly after it. "It«? the Haromvn de Yicher,'' said one. "The man heside the driver is mad/' -aid another. "I saw a revolver/' ami "Where are the police?" cried all. And Blent, sitting cool and collected as the carriage dashed up the hill towards the Palace, struck by the irony of the situation, laughed. The coachman heard the laugh, and his face grew whiter still—now he knew he "was going to he shot. They were almost up to the groat (square now. Blent with a rapid movement pnlied oil' his brown iheard and clipped his revolver into his pocket. "Stop!'' In- commanded, and as the carriag.- slowed down he sprang to the ground, and without a word set oil' at his swinging walk. When he presented himself to the guard at the gate, the great clock in ilie central to\wr pointed to sevcnU i e;i minutes to eight. l«he oJlicer in charge was a younu man; lie stared superciliously at the somewhat dishevelled man before him and snaked out Unit no tu ho adiuittvd to tin. Palate tlmt evening. "Nonsense!'' (i'ieil ISlcut angrily,"lor every second wasted \vit,li tills young idiot meant a second iiuaivr the 'ilra 111 of the jonug Princes,. -1. am a Jviii"V Messenger, anil 1 carry a i>emonal mes--10 tlu " I'nnccss. Every Hecond is "1 importance. Jf you delay me vou do so at your peril."' The oJlicer hesitated; he had a vainw Jdca tJiat a King's Messenger was a privileged individual, but ■Weill had rushed many cleverer men than the young lieutenant of guards oil their feet, and before the°latler quite reused what -he was doing, he war? leading tiie King's .Messenger aloii" the main corridor toward* an auk" room adjoining the di'mng-saloon. ilie clock had struck, a quarter to eight a.-> they entered the Palace; tli..-n: ■had been a little delay with an ollicious man whu had wanted to burr their way, and Blenl's heart was beating quickly. Was lie in time? .Surely he must be, he told himself, for if the assassin's work had been done the Palace would be iu an uproar. Mica a little way along the corridor lie saw three servant* landing uji agai'nst the wall; something in the attitude of one .-truck biui as peculiar, and, leaving the astounded lieutenant, lie advanced at a run. At that moment two great doors "were Hung open, the strains of the national a.itlicui Moated out, and above tin; music the till powerful voice of the old-fashioned major-domo: •Tier Serene Highness the I'rinccso! Way for the Princcrss!" It is doubtful if anyone reallv knew exactly what happened next. Blent, as though in a mist, saw the lovely figure in 'white, attended 'bv a throng of ladies-in-waiting. pass under the crimson curtains, then he had Hung himself forward, and he went to the ground witii a man still clutching- a stiletto underneath him. I he King's messenger was on bin feet! in an instant, but the gorgeous-liveried' servants di'd not move. I Ilie Princess had paled, but she con-1 trolled herself inagniliceutly. "What is the meaning of thi*?'-' *he j asked haughtily. I "That I can better explain to Your ! Highness later," said Went, with a low bow. "In the meantime " Before he could linish, a frightened servant tore along the corridor; his words were incoherent, but their meaning was plain enough—an angry crowd had overpowered the guard and were in l lie Palace yard. Blent noticed the anxious look on I many of the faces, and the scarcely- ! veiled triumph iu some, jwid he knewl that now was the time to act. In a moment lie wa* at the Princess'|

side, speaking quickly. "Your Highness, you are surrounded 'by traitors; unless you adopt the suggestion I am going to make, your throne will be in grave danger, and the country plunged into a disastrous civil war. The mob outside believe you have been assassinated—you must come out on to the balcony and show them that you arc not: you must acknowledge that you have erred, and agree to accept the

advice of the men. under whom th'country has been so well governed.'' The I'rinccss drew herself up, her face Hushed with anger, her lira (I thrown back. "I shall not!'' she cried. "And who are you, sir, to dare to dictate to me';'' "I am your friend." said lilent tiinipl.v. 'Tint I do not dictate. I am telling you the one way to preserve peace; you accept it or reject it as you please." As he spoke a hoarse, angry roar came up from the mob outside. "Are you afraid';" asked the King's .Messenger. The iitile white hands clenched. Blent expected an outburst of -passion, but tie- Princess recovered her self-control In an cll'orl.

"You shall judge, monsieur,'' she said quietly. 'T will act as you suggest." The'big man stooped down and jerked the would-be assassin to his feet. "You come too. mv friend," he said, lapping his side pocket significantly. "Your life d-'pcuils on, your conduct now." Then

| But the events of the -remainder of that fateful day. are they not history'; How lilalie. Princess of Saxe-lniar. came out on to the balcony of licr Palace and looked down half-coateniptu-Oiisly. half-pit,vingly, at the angry mob until they grew silent before the proud, prcttv girl, and allowed her to speak. Anil what tliat speech must, have cost lie,- pride! But. as Blent had anticipated, it had its effect upon the, moh. The newspapers spoke of Poitlas.who

made his confession (a revolver "was within six inches of his head when ho made it), and wis }>nhlii*ly forgiven •by the -irl who*e life lie had attempted. T'ltey also spoke of a big. sohlicrlylooking man -who stood close behind the I'rinee-- during the dramatic scene. Iml wlio apparently took no pari in it. People Wuiidercd who lie was. but the ni'vl morning he had disappeared, and so 11; ii] lIU Highness Prince Adoiphus William "I' Jlalsburg. Sever.il men in place* \ n Kuropcan poli'tie* nodded their heads sagely wlidi it was reported that, (/apt ain Robert Went, of the 'Corps of Kings }|esse7ijrrr«. bid Ibecn decorated by, Princess Ktalie of Saxe-'lnmr. "Went dinblc!" said several, and llrili-di iniin Saxe-lmar now are ipiite MTiirr. —Malcolm Hinck*, i'l Ni>wl Magazine. I