1 I^WrfW^W% --Vj 0%^ .. *''"1 'L T*--WKsjj INTERNATIONAL FALLS PRESS, JULY 3, 1919 When the hour came forthe departure you in about ten minutes. I will tap midnight, judgin' by the way the blood and go away from you?" from Hart's Tavern he deliberately three times on your door." co'gulated." She turned to him and laid her hand engaged the two secret service men "Why should you come to my room, "Did they get away with much?" upon his arm. In conversation in the taproom. Miss Sprouse? We can say all that is to be "Haven't heard. Seems as though "Am I not like other women? Why Cameron left the house by the rear said—" the burglar—must ha' been more'n one should I forgive you for me? loving door and was safely ensconced in Peter's "If you will look on the register you of 'em, I say—wasn't satisfied with Doesn't every woman want to be automobile long before he shook will discover that Mr. J. H. Prosser loved? No, no, my friend! Wait! hands with the "rat-catchers" and registered here about half an hour A moment ago I was so weak and dashed out to join her. Tommy Gray's ago. He is in room 30. He left a call & GEORGE DAM. trembly that I thought I—oh, I was car, occupied by the four players, was for five o'clock. Well, Prosser is another afraid for myself. Now I am quite moving away from the door as he name for Ugo. He left the cottage calm and sensible. See how well I sprang in beside her and slammed the an hour ago. Came in a jitney or MSCUOEON have myself in hand? I do not door. I could have got to him on the way tremble,* I am strong. We may now over." Peter's efforts to stay behind Tommy's discuss ourselves calmly, sensibly. venerable but surprisingly energetic Barnes, regardless of consequences, Oh! What are you doing?" car were the cause of many a dashed over to inspect the register. "I too am strong," he whispered. "I gasp and shudder from the couple who Sprouse followed leisurely. "GRAUSTARK," THE am sure of my ground now, and I am AulUt sat behind him in the bounding car. "See!" cried Barnfes, excitedly, putting 'HOLLOW OF HER HAND," THE not afraid." He had orders to keep back of Tommy his finger on the name "Miss A PRINCE OF GRAUSTARK." ETC He had clasped the hand that rested but never to lose sight of his tail light. to Jones." "She's in room 32—next on his sleeve and, as he pressed it "Are you there?" he whispered. his. By gad, Sprouse, do you suppose to his heart, his other arm stole over Would "Yes. Isn't It jolly, running away he knows that she is here? the her shoulders and drew her close to like this? It must be wonderfully exciting dog undertake anything—" his triumphant body. For an instant GmHfUbD-H HhoimiC -mm. he to be a criminal, always dodging "You may be sure he dosen't know she resisted, and then relaxed into SYNOPSIS. and—" she's here, or you either, for that matter. complete submission. Her head sank The country's full of Joneses and "Sh! Even a limousine may have upon his shoulder. CHAPTER I—Thomas K. Barnes, ears!" Barneses. Go on upstairs. Leave "Oh!" she sighed, and there was wealthy New Yorker, on a walking trip everything to me." through New England, is caught in a. But if the limousine had possessed wonder, joy—even perplexity, in the storm miles from his destination. At a a thousand ears they would have been Barnes had been in his room for tremulous sigh of capitulation. "Oh," crossroads point he meets a girl in the same plight. While they discuss the situation rendered useless in the stormy racket twenty minutes before he heard the came softly from her parted lips again an automobile, sent to meet the §art's made by Peter's muffler and the thunderous tapping on his door. He opened it and at the end of the first long, passionate rl, arrives and Barnes is given a lift to tavern, while the girl is taken Sprouse slid into the room. The instant roar of the exhaust as the car kiss. on to her destination, which she tella got under way. the door closed behind him, he Barnes is a place called Green Fancy. threw open his coat and coolly produced Sixty miles lay between them and CHAPTER XXI. CHAPTER II—.At the tavern Barnes a long, shallow metal box, such Crowndale. Tommy Gray guaranteed falls in with a stranded troupe of "barnstorming" actors, headed by Lyndon as one finds in safety vaults. that the distance could be covered in The End in Sight Rushcroft, and becomes interested in three hours, even over the vile moun- "With my compliments," he said them. Barnes, soaring beyond all previous dryly, thrusting the box into Barnes' heights of exaltation, ranged dizzily CHAPTER III—As the storm grows, hands. "You'd better have the countess Barnes finds himself worrying over the between "front" and "back" at the safety of the girl, traveling over the check them up and see if they're Grand opera house that evening. He mountain roads at what he considers dan- all there. I am not well enough acquainted f'aney "Some Robbery Last Night." erous speed. He learns tnat Green was in the "wings" with her, whispering Is something of a house of mystery. with the collection to be in her delighted ear in the dressing-room, Two mounted men leave the tavern crackin' him over the head. He stuck positive." in a manner which arouses Barnes' curiosity. listening to her soft words the point of a knife or something into Barnes was speechless. He could of encouragement to the excited leading him—just a little way, Joe says—in CHAPTER IV—He meets "Miss Thackeray," only stare, open-mouthed, at this lady on the narrow stairs leading more'n a dozen places. What say?" leading lady of the stranded theatrical amazing man. troupe, who is acting as chambermaid. up to the stage, assisting her to mount "I—I didn't say anything." That night ha is aroused by the "My God, Sprouse, have you been them and all the time he was dreading "I thought you did. Well, if I hear bringing of a dying man to the tavern, in that man's room since I saw you the moment when he would awake one of the two who had ridden away a anything more I'll let you know." short time before. They tell of finding the down—" and find it all a dream. dead body of the other man. Both had Barnes listened at the door until he been shot. "All you have to do is to keep quiet There was an annoying fly in his heard the waiter clattering down the and look innocent. Stay out of the hall ointment, however. "I love you," she CHAPTER V—The wounded man, registered stairway, and then went swiftly down tonight. Don't go near the door of at the tavern as Andrew Paul, dies, had said simply. "I want more than the hall to No. 30. Mr. Prosser was and Barnes Is informed he must not leave No. 30. Act like a man with brains. anything else in all the world to beyour until after the inquest. O'Dowd and De sleeping just as soundly and as resoundingly I said I would square myself with you Soto, guests at Green Fancy, visit the wife. But I cannot promise now. as at midnight! tavern, apparently much mystified over and with him, too. Well, I've done I must have time to think, time to—" the affair. "By gad!" he muttered, half-aloud. both. Maybe you think it is easy to "Why should you require more time Everything was as clear as day to him CHAPTER VI—Barnes advances Rushcroft give up this stuff. There is a half-million than I?" he persisted. "What is time money sufficient to release the company now. Bolting into his own room, he dollars' worth of nice little things from its embarrassing position, "See Here, Sprouse, or Whatever Your to us? Why make wanton waste of thereby becoming its official backer. He closed the door and stood stockstill in that box, small as it is." Name Is—" it?" Visits Green Fancy, and In the grounds for many minutes, trying to picture meets his acquaintance of the night bebeauty^n(*in^ "I cannot begin to thank you "I know that I cannot find happiness the scene in the cottage. again, yelling for help. There was ^er **'1 surprising a enough," said Barnes. "See here, you except with you," she replied. "No only one thing left for me to do and He found a letter in his box when must allow me to reward you in some matter what happens to me, I shall CHAPTER VII—She seems not to be that was to get out on the roof if possible, he went downstairs, after stuffing the way commensurate with your—" aesirous of recognizing him, and turns always love you, I shall never forget and wait for things to quiet tin box deep into his pocket. Before awajr. O Dowd appears and in apparently "Cut that out," said Sprouse darkly. the joy of this. But—I cannot promise rriendly fashion escorts Barnes (who feels down. I got out through a trap door he slit the envelope he knew that "I'm not so virtuous that I have to be now," she finished gently and he is unwelcome) from the grounds. and stayed there for an hour or so. Sprouse was the writer. The message rewarded. I like the game. It's the kissed him. CHAPTER VIII—Miss Thackeray warns was brief: "Well, to shorten the story, I finally breath of life to me." Barnes that a man stopping at the tavern, Between the second and third acts took a chance and slid down to the "After due consideration, I feel that ostensibly a book agent, had searched "The time will surely come when I Toiwny Gray rushed back with the his baggage in his absence. O'Dowd it would be a mistake for you to abandon eaves where I managed to find the comes to the tavern and wtth Barnes and ?an do you a good turn, Sprouse, and box-office statement The gross was your present duties at this time. others goes over the scene of the previous limb of a tree big enough to support jrou will not find me reluctant," said $359. The instant that fact became night's shooting. Barnes is 'invited to' me—just as if the Lord had ordered it It might be misunderstood. Stick to dinner at Green Fancy. Barnes, lamely. known to Mr. Rushcroft he informed put there for my special benefit. I the company until something better "Isn't It Jolly, Running Away Like Barnes that they had a "knockout" a "That's different. If I ever need a CHAPTER IX—His acquaintance of the turns up. With this thought in view I was soon on the ground, and that storm is introduced as Miss Cameron. gold mine, and that never in all his This?" friendly hand I'll call on you. It's only The makeup of the house party, particularly meant safety for me. I had heard Ugo withdraw the two days' limit mentioned fair that I should give you a tip, career had he known a season to start a man introduced to him as r'Loeb," tell the others that Nicholas said the recently to you, and extend the tain roads. Ten o'clock would find and the number of menservants about the Barnes, just to put you on your guard. off so auspiciously as this one. place, somewhat astonishes Barnes. man who stabbed him was yours truly. time to one week. Yours very truly, them at the Grand Palace hotel, none From now on, I'm a free agent. I want Three days later Barnes and "Miss Can you beat it? the worse for wear, provided (he always "J. H. WILSON." CHAPTER X—Miss Cameron Informs to advise you to put that stuff in a Jones" said farewell to the strollers aim she is a prisoner In the house, appealing put it parenthetically) they lived "And now comes the maddening part "Gad, the fellow thinks of everything," 3afe place. I'll give you two days' and boarded a day train for New York to him for aid and binding him of the whole business. He said that to tell the tale! The luggage had to secrecy. In conversation with the said Barnes to himself. "He start After that, if I can get 'em city. They left the company in a condition chauffeur who drives him back to the gone on ahead of them earlier in the the crown jewels were gone! The thief is positively uncanny." away from you, or whoever may have of prosperity. The show was tavern, Barnes becomes convinced there day. was running downstairs when he staggered is a conspiracy of moment hatching at He read between the lines, and saw them, I'm going to do it. They will be averaging two hundred dollars nightly Green Fancy. Soon after ten o'clock they entered to the door. If we are to find 'air plunder from then on. Good there a distinct warning. It had not and Mr. Rushcroft was already booking the town of Crowndale and drew up CHAPTER XI—At breakfast the sup- the crown jewels, my friend, we will occurred to him that his plan to leave aight—and good-by for the present. return engagements for the early Sprouse, osed book agent introduces himself as before the unattractive portals of the first have to find Prince Ugo. He has for New York that day with Miss Cameron Stick close to your room till morning fall. He was looking forward to a a government secret agent. Grand Palace hotel. An arc lamp them." Sprouse tells Barnes he is there to watch might be attended by disastrous and then beat it with her for New tour of Europe at the close of the war. the party at Green Fancy, describing swinging above the entrance shed a "I don't believe a word of this Fork. I give you two days' start, remember." results. them as refugees from a country overrun Barnes' sister, Mrs. Courtney, met pitiless light upon the dreary, Godforsaken by the Germans. He asserts that "Miss yarn," said Barnes flatly. "You have But the jewels? What of them? He them at the Grand Central terminal. Cameron" is a relative of the former ruler hostelry with the ironic name. the jewels and—" could not go gali'.vaating about the of the devastated country and that she or He switched off the light suddenly. "It's now a quarter to five," said "Loeb" have with them the crown jewels, Miss Cameron was warmly conscious "Look here, Mr. Barnes, I'm not going mn:ry with a half million dollars' There was no sound for many seconds, Barnes after the greeting and presentation. of enormous value, which Sprouse would of the thrill that had come Into to double-cross you again. That's recover. '••orth of precious stones in his possession. 3ave the deep breathing of the two "Drop me at the Fifth Avenue her blood when he carried her up the all over. I want to. get that scurvy Ben. Then, with infinite caution, bank, Edith. I want to leave something CHAPTER XII—Barnes agrees to accompany stairs in his powerful arms, disdaining dog who knifed poor old Nick. If you He spent the early part of the forenoon Sprouse on a nocturnal visit to Sprouse turned the knob and opened in my safety box downstairs. Green Fancy, Sprouse with the object of the offer of assistance from the suddenly can give me a lead, I'll try to run in wandering nervously about :he door a half inch or so. He left the Sha'n't be more than five minutes." securing the Jewels, and Barnes with the infatuated Tommy Gray. Prince Ugo down. And if I do, we'll hope of rescuing "Miss Cameron." lie hotel—upstairs and down. The room so abruptly that Barnes never He got down from the automobile "Rehearsal at eleven sharp," announced get the jewels :*vcls were locked in his pack upstairs. juite got over the weird impression at Forty-fourth street and shot across CHAPTER Xni—They enter the grounds Rushcroft. "Letter-perfect, "We? You amuse me, Sprouse." In safety, Sprouse overcoming two men He went up to his room half the sidewalk into the bank, casting :hat he squeezed through that slender every one of you. No guessing. By evidently on guard. Reaching the house, "Well, I can't do any more than a dozen times and almost instantly :rack, and pulled it after him! quick, apprehensive glances through Barnes sends up, by means of a fishing the way, Miss—er—'pon my soul, I give my promise, my solemn oath, or rod carried by Sprouse, a note to "Miss walked down again, after satisfying Many minutes passed before he the five o'clock crowd on the avenue Cameron," informing her of their intention don't believe I got your name?" something like that. I can't give a himself that the pack had not been turned on the light. The key of the as he sprinted. In his hand he lugged to enter the house. She tries to dissuade "Jonfs," said the new member, them, but Sprouse climbs to her bond, you know. I swear to you that rifled. box was tied to the wire grip. With the heavy, weatherbeaten pack. His room and goes through It on a quest for shamelessly. if I lay hands on that stuff, I will deliver trembling fingers he inserted it in the For the next three days and nights sister and the countess stared after the crown jewels and state papers. it to you. Might just as well Barnes went down to the dingy rehearsals were in full swing, with a id A him in amazement. CHAPTER XIV—Barnes becomes uneasy lobby. A single, half-hearted electric trust me as Ugo." ?careely a moment's let-up. And so aalf-million dollars' worth of nice little Presently he emerged from the bank, at Sprouse's long absence and follows bulb shed its feeble light on the desk, him, climbing by means of the ivy "Get in the car," said Barnes suddenly. :he time crept by, up to the night of things," Sprouse had said! still carrying the bag. He was beaming. attached to the wall. While talking to in front of which stood a man registering He had decided to take a rhe performance. Miss Cameron regained He did not close his eyes that Miss Cameron" a commotion in the A certain worried, haggard expression under the sleepy eye of the house warns them that Sprouse has been chance with the resourceful, indefatigable in ignorance of the close proximity aight. Daybreak found him lying in had vanished from his face, detected. Barnes, with "Miss Cameron" night clerk. rascal. There was something of the jewels, and the police of clinging to him, makes his escape to the bed, with the box under his pillow, a and for the first time in eight hours ground. He loses his sense of location convincing about Sprouse's version of Barnes was turning away when a Crowndale remained in even denser pistol at hand, and his eyes wide open. he treated his traveling wardrobe with and they become lost, finally taking refuge the affair at Green Fancy. familiar voice assailed him. in a small shed. "Miss Cameron" He was in a graver quandary than ignorance as to the whereabouts of scorn and indifference. explains how she was decoyed to the Whirling, he looked into the face of :he man who robbed Mr. Hasselwein Barnes told him that he knew of 3ver. Now that he had the treasure in house, and was to be married against her "Thank God, they're off my mind a man who stood almost at his elbow of all his spare cash and an excellent will to the man "Loeb," whom she reveals Prince Ugo's fight. Sprouse looked tris possession, what was he to do with at last," he cried. "That is the first as a prince of the house to which —the sharp, impassive face of Mr. gold watch. thoughtful for a long time. it? she belongs. They are surprised in the good, long breath I've had in a week. Sprouse. darkness by O'Dowd. "So O'Dowd knows that I really was No time was lost by the countess in He solved the breakfast problem by No, not now. It's a long story and after the swag, eh? He believes I got calling downstairs for a waiter and netting word to her compatriots in I can't tell it in Fifth avenue. It CHAPTER XV—O'Dowd demands the jewels, which he thinks the fugitives have it?" CHAPTER XX. .New York. Barnes posted a dozen letters ordering coffee and rolls and eggs sent would be extremely annoying to have in their possession, not knowing of "I suppose so." for her each contained the tidings up to his room. Singularly enough the Sprouse's enterprise. Convinced neither both of you die of heart failure with "Miss Cameron" nor Barnes have them, "The only one who thinks I'm absolutely The First Wayfarer Has One Treasure waiter solved the other and more disturbing of her safety and the assurance all these people looking on." v. O'Dowd puts them on the right road to innocent is Ugo, of course—and Thrust Upon Him—And Forthwith that she would soon follow in person. -r»v the tavern, where Barnes gives his companion problem for him. He felt her hand on his arm, and into the care of Miss Thackeray. Mrs. Van Dyke. That's good." Claims Another. "Some robbery last night," said that Those three days and nights were knew that she was looking at him Next day O'Dowd tells Barnes Sprouse, whom he describes as an expert burglar, Sprouse smacked his lips. "I've got a "What are you doing here?" demanded fall of joy and enchantment for worthy. "Feller up in one of the cottages with wide, incredulous eyes, but he got away with the treasure, after killing pretty fair idea where I can find Mr. Barnes, staring. He seized at the sanatorium. All beat up, Barnes. He actually debased himself faced straight ahead. He was terribly a guard in the house. O'Dowd and "Loeb" Green Fancy. leave Loeb. It will take a little time—a the man's arm and inquired eagerly: something fierce they say." wishing that the Rushcroft company afraid that the girl beside him couple of days, perhaps—but sooner "Have you got the jewels?" might find it imperative to go on "Up in— Where?" almost shouted was preparing to shed tears of joy CHAPTER XVI—Barnes tells "Miss or later he'll turn up in close proximity "No but I will have them before Barnes, starting up. rehearsing for weeks in that dim, enchanted Cameron" of Sprouse's treachery, and and relief. He could feel her searching she tells him the whole, story of Green to the beautiful baroness." morning," replied Sprouse coolly. temple. The man explained where the cottages in her jacket pocket for a handkerchief. Fancy. The man known' as Loeb is her cousin, and he inveigled her to the house "Would you be surprised if I were to were situated. Hp sat for hours in one of the most with the object of possessing himself of tell you that his royal nibs is hiding "Seems he was to leave by auto uncomfortable seats he had ever Mrs. Courtney was not only curious the jewels, which were In her custody. CHAPTER XIX. in this town? Well, he certainly is. early this mornin', and they didn't known, devouring with hungry eyes but apprehensive. She hadn't the CHAPTER XVII—O'Dowd returns and The Baroness Hedlund has been here know anything was wrong till Joe the shadowy, interested face so close faintest idea who Miss Cameron was, informs Barnes of the identity of "Miss A Trip by Night and a Late Arrival. Cameron." She is of royal blood, he asserts, for a week or ten days. She goes by Keep—he's driving a car Mr. Norton to his own—and never tired. nor where her brother had picked her Shortly after sundown that evening, Countess Therese Mara-Dafanda. the name of Mrs. Hasselwein. I popped has for rent—till Joe'd been settin' out On the afternoon of the dress rehearsal up. But she saw at a glance that the Rushcroft company evacuated down here this afternoon and found in front for nearly half an hour. The CHAPTER XVIII—Barnes visits Green he loci her, after an hour of she was lovely, and her soul was filled Hart's Tavern. They were de* Fancy to secure the wardrobe of the out that she is at the sanatorium, but man's wife was waitin' fer him up at almost insupportable repression, to with strange misgivings. She was like countess. He meets Sprouse, who tells layed by the irritating and, to Mr. him Loeb got away with the jewels after that she expects to leave tomorrow the main buildin' and she got so tired the rear of the auditorium. Dropping all sisters who have pet bachelor Rushcroft unpardonable behavior ol killing the guard and accusing Sprouse morning. I made another trip out there waitin' that she sent one of the clerks of the into the seat beside her he blurted brothers. She hoped that poor Tom murder and robbery^ two officious gentlemen, lately arrived, this evening and waited. About eight down to see what was keeping her cut, almost in anguish hadn't gone and made a fool of himself. CHAPTER XIX—Barnes and the collates*' who Insisted politely but firmly on o'clock Mr. Hasselwein strolled up. He bnsband. Well, sir, him and Jot "1 can't stand it any Ing-r. I cn: leave Hart's tavern with th«t actors, prying into the past, present and ftt and at Crowndale, where they are to half couldn't wake the feller, so they climb sat on the veranda with her for not le near you without—why, I—Iv.-ell, tare members ol The few minutes', conversation she appear. Barnes again meets Sprouse. history of the several an hour or so and then left 1 followed in an open winder, an' by gosh, Joe it is more tnan I can struggk had with the stranger only served to the organization, including the new says it was terrible. The feller was CHAPTER XX—Sprouse tells Barnes him. He went to one of the against, that's all. You've either go increase her alarm. Miss Cameron's "backer." Loeb Is In hiding in Crowndale with his little cottages that belong to the sanatorium layin' on the bed, feet an' hands tied ." v. mistress, and promises to rob him of the to send me away altogether or—or— voice and smile—and her eyes!—were Barnes had devised a very clever -I couldn't get close enough to and gagged, and blood from head to Jewels. He does so, delivering the treasure lot me love you without restraint. positively alluring. to Barnes, as agreed, at the same plan for getting Miss Cameron away hear what they said, but I believe he foot He was inconscious, Joe says, Pv time informing him that ne would take tell you I can't go on as I am now. She had had a night letter from Tom from the tavern without attracting undue it from him if he could, at the expiration expects to take her away in an automobile an'—my God, how his wife took on! You know I love you, don't you? You that morning in which he said that he of one week. attention. She was to leave in early in the morning. It is a Joe says he couldn't stand it so he know I worship you. Don't be frightened. was bringing a young lady friend down one of the automobiles that he had engaged CHAPTER XXI-Wlth the twuntess, seventy-mile ride from here to the snook out, shakin! like a leaf." I just had to tell you today. from the north—and would she meet Barnes leaves Rushcroft and the rest and to convey the players to "Is—is the man dead?" cried junction where they catch the train 'hurries to New York. There he leaves I should have gone mad if I had tried them at the station and put her up M. Crowndale, where they were to the jewels In a place of safety ahd lntrodocM for the West. I'm going up now to Barnes, aghast. to keep it up any longer." He waited for a couple of days? That was all the countess to his sister. "show." In case of detention or inquiry, make a call on Mr. Hasselwein. By "Nope! Seems like if nothing serious: 'SgHBpreose risks his life In a daring effort breathlessly for her to speak. She sat she knew of the dazzling stranger up she was. to pose as a stagestruck obtain the treasure, and failing takes just beat up, that's all. Terrible the way, what is the number of your silent and rigid, looking straight before to the moment she saw her. Immedi- ^Phls leave of Barnes in a characteristic young woman who had obtained room?" cuts on his head and—" manner, with little prospect of an early her. "Is it hopeless?" he went a place with the company at return to her home iri Europe, the countess ,Y.« "What time did all this happen?" "Twenty-two—on the next floor.'' on at last huskily. "Must I ask your yields to Barnes' pleading and agrees the last moment through his Influence. "Doc Smith Aggers it was long about to become his wife. ,.3 ."Good. Go upstairs now and FU join (To be contim&d next week.) forgiveness for my presumption and— ,h