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About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 5, 1916)
THE STJXjDAT - OREGOXIAX, rORTLAXD , NOVEMBER- - 5, 1916. Dramatized and produced by the Vitagraph Company from the popular novel of the same name by C. N. and A. M. Williamson. Everything you read here today you can see this week at leading motion-picture theaters in vivid motion pictures, with Earle Will iams as Christopher Race and Miss Lillian Tucker as Elolse Dauvray. Next week another story and new pictures. (Copyright. 1916, by the Star Company. All foreign rights reserved.) CHAPTER IV. The Hidden Prince. CHRISTOPHER RACE stared at the Invitation, and stared again. If it had come to him In his palmy days, he might not have been thus blankly amazed; but at best who was Christopher Race that he should be bidden to a reception at the Foreign Office, to meet royalty? Of course. Christopher said to him self, he would not go. Before the day of the reception he would be away in the country with Scarlet Runner, trail ing a fat and vulgar Australian mil lionaire, with his fat and vulgar mil lionairess, about rural England. But there was another letter in this morning's mall and he suddenly changed his mind. It covered no more than a page, and was signed. "Elolse Dauvray." That name had rung in his ears, mysterious and sweet as the music of bells floating over the sea from a city of mirage, since the masked ball, wheTe he had been lucky enough to serve the fair Southerner's purpose. Now his heart gave e. leap as he read the summons which called him back Into her life. Her letter had no conventional be ginning. "Since I have been a grown woman," she said, "I have known only two Real Men. and you are one of those two. I want you to meet the other. Something great may come of the meeting, and this time you would be with me in an adventure of which neither of us need be ashamed. As for me, I am in it deeply, heart and soul. If you will throw in your fortune with mine, come tomorrow night to the Foreign Office reception, for which 1 will see that you have an invitation. Tours gratelly for the past, hopefully for the future. ELOISE DAUVRAY." No question now as to whether he would go or not go! He wanted to see Elolse Dauvray; he wanted to know why and how she needed him; he wanted to be in that adventure, what ever it might prove, because she woultl be in it; and though it was a drawback that he was not the only Real Alan on her horizon, he wanted to find out what the other one was like. . Christopher stepped out of his car Into a blaze of light and color; and indoors the luscious perfume of flow . ers, mingled with the thought that he' was about to see Elolse Dauvray. went to his head like some rich Spanish Wine. "Mr. Race." murmured a voice that no man who had heard it once could forget; and, turning, he was face to face with Eloise Dauvray an aston ishingly changed Eloise Dauvray. She had been beautiful before, but she was doubly beautiful now, with the radiant morning beauty of a girl of 18. The eyes, once clouded with mystery or tragedy, had been turned into stars by some new happiness; and for a giddy second Christopher asked him self If it could be his presence that But the thought broke before it fin ished; for he saw the Other Man, and, seeing him, knew the secret of the change in Elolse Dauvray. This man was no common man, and suddenly It was as if Christopher saw his tall fig ure framed in such another niche, glowing with strange Jewels, unique and splendid. If there had been Jeal ousy In Christopher's soul it must have been burnt up like chaff in the brave fire of the Other Man's eyes, as they . welcomed him. "Mr. Race," said Eloise Dauvray again, "I wanted you to come and meet Prince Mirko of Dalvania. I have told Mm ihmir vml " "I am here with my grandmother," aald Miss Dauvray. "You have not met her, but she is an old friend of the Foreign Secretary's wife. Prince Mirko and you and I must talk together." They found a quiet corner, out of the way of the crowd. "Now I am go ing to tell you a secret," the girl went on. "You see how I trust you how we both trust you? For It's a secret that, if known, might spoil a plan whose success means everything to the Prince everything, therefore, to me." "Whatever you ask I will do," said Christopher rashly. He was In the mood . to be rash; not only for Miss Dau vray's sake, but now for the sake of the Prince as well. There was some thing of that extraordinary magnetism about the young man which the House of. Stuart had and made use of in en listing followers. "You had better wait and hear first," Mirko warned him. But at this mo ment arrived, an anxious-looking gen tleman, whose face cleared at sight of the group of three. Bowing courte ously to Miss Dauvray, at whom he glanced quickly with veiled curiosity, he announced In indifferent French that he had been searching everywhere for his royal highness, in the hope of . introducing him by special request to a very great personage. Such a request was a command, and Elolse smiled permission, to go. "That is the Dalvanian Ambassador," she murmured, as the tall, youthful figure and the short, middle-aged one moved away together. "He looks clever," said Christopher. "He is clever," replied Eloise, "and we believe he is on our side. Not for me I don't mean that. I hope and pray he knows nothing, and may guess nothing until too late to interfere. 1 mean something of more importance to Dalvania than a love affair. Perhaps, after all; it's Just as well that I can tell you wfiat I have to tell you alone. First. I thank you for coming, and isn't he glorious?" ."Yes," said Christopher. "If I were a soldier I should like to fight for him." "How strange you should say that!" half whispered the girl. "It is exactly what I want you to do. Will you be a 'soldier of fortune' and fight for us both? But no; it isn't fair to ask you that until you know the whole story." So she told him the story, briefly as she could, keeping down her own ex citement, which would grow with the tale. Christopher knew little or nothing of Dalvanian affairs, except that the people of that turbulent country had risen some years ago against their King and killed him; that the Queen and her 'children had been saved only by flight; that a distant relative of the dead man a person favored by Turkey had been raised to the throne, and that the Dalvanians. who ought to have been elated at their success, had been more or less dissatisfied ever since. Now Eloise Dauvray told him that the story of the flight and the mas sacre was 12 years old. The Queen had lived in great seclusion, incognito, sometimes in France and England, sometimes in Austria and Hungary. Now she was dead had been dead for two years. Her last words to her two sons Mirko, 26, and Peter, 21 had been: "Win back Dalvania. Mirko must be King. Do not try to avenge your father's murder on the people. Most of them were innocent. It was a plot of Turkey's. But take the throne away from the alien." This chimed with Mirko's heart's de sire. But there was no money;- and Dalvania even if willing to accept him was weak, while Turkey was near and powerful. Still, he was the rightful heir, and Dalvania was very tired of King Alexander, spendthrift and profligate. Mirko as a boy had made one or two highly-placed friends in England, and though, while Alexander, remained King. Great Britain could not official ly countenance Mirko's claims, were he successful In regaining his father's throne England would be ready to con gratulate him. Now, Prince Mlrko's errand In the most Important Island of the world was to enlist sympathy for his cause among those who would lend him their money or their help in organizing a secret raid, and the adventure, so Eloise Dauvray eagerly explained to Christopher Race, was not so hopeless as it might seem. The Dalvanian Ambassador, who had Just called the Prince away, had been put in his place by Turkey, like all other Dalvanian diplomats of King Alexander's day; nevertheless, he had private reasons for being at heart Mirko's friend. Damiello Rudovlcs knew what was Mirko's mission in England; knew that he was trying to get together 100,000 pounds to buy arms and feed a small army; knew that he was inviting adventurous or rich young Englishmen to Join him secretly at the Montenegrin frontier of Dalvania, for a certain purpose; yet Rudovics was giving no hint to Turkey, his real employer, of the business afoot. "And that is not because of any personal love for the Prince." finished the woman who loved the Prince above all, "but because he wants Mirko to marry his wife's daughter. If Mirko would take her, Turkey would let him gain his throne with no more than a mere theatrical struggle." "That sounds as if thereby hung a tale," said Christopher, deeply in terested now In the Other Man's for tunes. "Thereby hangs a strange tale," echoed Miss Dauvray "a tale of love. Once upon a time a Sultan loved a fair lady who was not his Sultana, yet she was of high rank and had Important relatives who must not be offended. So the Sultan heaped upon her all the honors he could and married her off to a Colonel in his army, who died rather suddenly soon after the wedding day. Perhaps by that time the great man had tired of her beauty; at all events, when she had been long enough a widow, with a pretty little girl, he smiled upon a match between the lady and the new Dalvanian Ambassador to the Court of St. James. Now the girl Is grown up that is, she's 16 or 17, and you can seewthat. if Mirko of Dal vania would please to fall in love with and marry her, there would be per sons who would be pleased to see her a Queen." "I see," said Christopher. "The plot thickens." "It grows very . thick, indeed," answered Eloise. "for Mirko won't think of the Lady Valda will think of no one but me. Yet he must keep Rudovics' friendship for the present. That's why our engagement has to be secret, and our marriage must be Becret too. Only my grandmother knows and you. At least, that's what I hope. I daren't dwell upon the things that might happen to Mirko if anyone who wished either of us evil should find out." "Yes," said Christopher. "I under stand aid I'd give anything even Scarlet Runnel- to help." "We want you both you and Scarlet Runner." "What if It carried a prince the rightful ruler of his country?" smiled Christopher. "Some such thought was in my mind." said Eloise. "It would create a profound sensation. People would think him a god in the car." "There ought also to be a goddess in the car," remarked Christopher thought fully. "She need not be lacking if she had an invitation," answered Miss Dauvray. "She has the -Invitation now." "Thank you! And you have an Invi tation to her wedding." "When is it to be?" he asked, with syitward calmness. "That is the greatest secret of all. It is to be next week. I will let you know the day, and should like you to be there. So would Mirko. He knows what you did for me. Already you are to him more than other men, for my sake. And if you would help him if you would take us into Dalvania " "Not only will I do that; but I think, if the Prince still needs it, I can get him money." "He needs It desperately. But you are not rich?" "My Uncle James is." "I heard something of your story from but you can guess. I hate even to speak his name, in these good and happy days. Your uncle has disin herited you." "That's still on the knees of the gods. It's partly a question of conduct, partly the question of a girl. I'm not sure he hasn't a sneaking fondness for me. But there's one thing he worships: a title. Elolse Daucray's color brightened. "Prince Mirko would give him a dukedom and the Order of the Red Swan of Dalvania. Though it's a small country, the Swan is famous as old as Constantino the First, and has been be stowed on few who were not kings or princes. You may have noticed that Mirko is wearing it tonight." '1 did notice and thought ot my. r uncle. He would give ten years of his life for the Swan, and 100,000 for a dukedom, even though Dalvanian or I don't know him. You and Prince Mirko could Induce him to do It, if you would let me take you both in Scarlet Runner to Hyde Hampton, his place in Middlesex, to pay an afternoon visit." We will go; I can promise for Mirko," said Eloise. Ho had not seen his relative for months, nor had he communicated with him since he had taken to earning his own living with Scarlet Runner. Never theless, his long and elaborate wire the next day was promptly answered by old James Revelstone Race with a cor dial Invitation for any day that suited His Royal Highness. Old James Race was enchanted with the Prince, almost collapsing with Joy at royalty's gracious praise of his picturesque Jacobean house and won derful Dutch gardens. Such an honor had never come hie way before: but, snob as the old man was at heart, ho genuinely admired Mirko, and was fired by the romance of the young Prince's situation. The confidence that fverwiC 'n him,he rf erard,ed " " overwhelming compliment, and hinted a suggestion for help even before the quickly following offer of the duke- dom. That could not be bestowed until Prince Mirko should become King Mir- ko; but the Red Swan of Dalvania, on fire with the blaze of rubies and small brilliants, was transferred from Mir- ko's breast to that of the dazzled old man. On the way back to London, after this triumphant visit, Elolse told Chris- topher that the wedding would take place on the following Saturday. The banns of Theodore (one of Mlrko's many names) Constantlnus and Eloise Dauvray had been read three times In a quiet little church of South Kenslng- ton a church where nobody would recognize either name, and all was now ready. Nor need there be further de- lay in starting for Dalvania. since old Mr. Race's thousands, added to those already subscribed, would, nut the Prince In funds. Unless Christopher heard to the con trary, he was to call at the house in Regent's Park at 12 o'clock on Satur day. His car was not to accompany him, but he volunteered her services FEATURES FOR THE YOUNG PEOPLE A Merry Little Fellow JACK FROST is a merry little fellow When the Wintry winds begin to bellow. He makes little girls say: "Oh, oh, oh!" And be makes little boys say: "Ho, ho, ho!" "O ooo oh! Jack," cried Mother Nature to merry little Jack Frost, as he was rushing by one November morn ing. Jack stopped in his mad flight and settled on the stump of a tree. "What's up, old mother? What's doing this cold day?" "I'm putting the little baby plants to sleep." "Those little things in your hand? They don't look like plants!" laughed Jack. "These are the seed cradles, the baby plants are inside. I am now going to put them away into my great brown house," and as she said this she gently put the little pods in the earth. Mother' Nature then called to the swallows that were passing overhead: "Fly, little birds, fly southward, and DRAWING LESSON PU7.7.I.K. By connecting these dots properly separate figures. A square, a, star, and a pyramid. ' - e '.warn A-rcw jrty Sor- and h,s to J' the bride and groom as far as Southsea, " 11 was after S o'clock when he some- what reluctantly returned to Chapel street, and nearly stumbled against the lodglng-houee maid-of-all-work carry- n8r somebody's tea. "Oh. sir. what a good thing you've Sot back!" she exclaimed. "The lady's Deen waiting for you a good half hour, Mlssus 8ald I wa to take her up this to amus her. he was In such a Btat at your not being at ome." "A liy?" echoed Christopher, Christopher put no more questions. Dut ran up the two flKhts of stairs to the second floor two steps at a time, A" ne Pened the sitting-room door Eloise Dauvray spring up. "At last!" sne crlea- 1 vo been praying ror you to come- You're my one hope. "What has happened?" Christopher ske4 abruptly. . mirKO nas aisappearea, Eloise an- swered. "Mr. Race, what do you think has become of him? Has Turkey got wind of the plot for the raid, and has he been murdered, like his father?" "Don't think of such a thing." said when it's time for my babies to wake up, come to greet them." And to the flowers that still bloomed she whis pered: "Sh sh, go to sleep. Sh sh, go to sleep." Jack stood up on the stump of the tree and bowed low to Mother Nature. "That Is right, tuck them away good and warm because I expect to have a merry time this Winter. If they were not beyond my reach I would have to do to them as I do to the little boys and girls." "And what is that?" asked Mother Nature. "I'd pinch their toes and nip their noses until they'd cry for mercy." "I'll guard my little ones, but you could help me by asking the North Wind to spread a blanket over them. They, like all babies, need warmth to make them grow." "Whoop la! I'll do my best," cried Jack and with a swish of his arms he sped along decorating all the fences and trees with frost. A few weeks passed but Jack Frost did not again appear. "Ah me," sighed the Mother, "I wish it would snow. Little Jack has forgotten me and his with straight lines you can make seven diamond, two triangles, a square block ' - ' A l ' B . t ?m' CVtrfstopAcr Christopher. "They wouldn't go so far as that at worst. A dozen things may have happened none of them tragic He may have been motoring with Wen- don or some other friend and have got en panne miles from a telegraph office, "I thought of that, but he had no plan for motoring today or he would have told me. And I feel that some- thing is wrong desperately wrong." "Shall I go to his house and find out what I can from his servants?" asked Christopher. "Oh, if you would!" she sighed. "It was one thing I wanted you to do." "I'll start at once," he said. "I can be back in half an hour." He was back in less, but he had very little that was satisfactory to tell. He had asked for Prince Mirko. alleg- ing an engagement with him. only to hear from the stately hall porter that His Royal Highness had walked out alone about 9 o clock in the morning saying nothing if his intentions, and had not come in since. Even his valet had no idea where he had gone, nor when he intended to return. On hearing this, Christopher, know- ing that the valet was more or less in promise. My babies will not thrive." That very day the North Wind and the West Wind met in the center of the road as Jack was turning the corner, and he remembered his prom ise to Mother Nature. "Well met." he cried. "Will you help me?" and he told the wind what he needed of them. "W e e e e e w 1 1 I ill 1 11!" shrieked the winds and they twirled their arms around each other and they blew and they blew, until big black clouds gathered In the sky to see what was the matter and the Sun hid be hind them in fear. Then tiny flakes began to fall and they fell down over the brown earth which covered the seeds as they slept, and before night a large white blanket spread over the ground. "Ho o ho, ho!" laughed the merry little fellow. "That ought to satisfy her. Now I'm off to see how my little friends, the boys and girls are going to enjoy the snow." Did you boys and girls think the snow fell only for your pleasure and that the Joy of skating and sledding was Its main purpose? The snow is as necessary to the health of the plant as the Sun is to your growth. Think of that next time merry little Jack Frost spreads the ground with snow. Important Birthdays NOVEMBER marks the birth of three Important authors whose writings have Influenced the lives of many children. First among these Is Louisa M. A1 cott. who was born November 25. 1832. Alcott's stories were about children, and were written for the entertainment of young folk. Little gluls, in particu lar, will find her books most delight ful, and will find many of her heroines worthy of Imitation. If you have not done so already, don't fall to read "Little Women" and "Little Men." Next in order as to the year of his birth comes Samuel Clemens, known to us as Mark Twain. He was born November 30. 1835. He 'has brought more mirth and laughter to the American people than any other writer. His "Huckleberry Finn," in the terms ot modern slang, "is a scream." - and "A Yankee - at King Arthur's his royal master's confidence, asked to speak with him. The man was brought, and Christopher saw him alone, behind closed doors, in a small ante-room off the hall. All the valet could tell him, however, was that the Prince had ap peared somewhat disturbed when read ing some letters which came by the first post. One of these he had placed under a paper-weight, and had put it In an inner pocket of his coat imme diately after dressing, which he did more quickly and, earlier than usual. This letter the valet believed to be one which he had noticed because it was addressed in Prince Peter's hand, and postmarked Paris. Another letter His Royal Highness had read care fully, two or three times over; and then, ordering the fire already laid in the grate to be lighted, had burned It. watching till the paper and envelope were both entirely consumed. Christopher decided that If he were to help Elolse Dauvray, he could be gin In no better way than by learning what manner of man was the Dal vanian Ambassador to the Court of St. James. He had no friends In the diplomatic service living in England, for Max Lind was far away, but old Major Nor burn. an ancient crony of James Race. Iiad a nephew who was a clerk In the Foreign Office. Christopher went at once to the club where hl uncle's friend spent his afternoons: and by a stroke of luck the budding diplomatist had called to keep an appointment with his relative. The two were on the eve of starting out. but had a few moments to spare, and young Norburn was boy ish enough to be flattered by Christo pher's questions, which Implied inside knowledge on his part. He perhaps did not know. all he affected to know; but he described Rudovics as inordinately vain, endlessly ambitious, subtle snd proud of his subtletly. not bad at heart, though sufficiently unscrupulous. "His part is a bit above his capacity." said the young man from the Foreign Of fice, "and he'd have had no chance of it except through his wife. His mar riage was brought about to serve the convenience of the powers that be in Turkey: but the woman who's half Irish has been a beauty in her day. and all poor old Rudovics' honors have been given him for her sake. Those who are 'in the know' say he despises King Alexander, and if he weren't afraid of his Turkish master would be in the thick of all the plottlngs. Ot course. If that romantic-looking chap, Mirko, wou,ld take a fancy to the step daughter, who is naturally a favored protege of Turkey, things might get uncomfortable for Alexander in Dal vania." "What sort of girl Us she?" asked Christopher. "They say beautiful, and quite a woman, though only 17. The mother's Catholic, and follows European cus toms when In Europe; the girl. Valda. has been brought up In a Paris con vent. Lately they've had her in Lon don, no doubt for Mlrko's -inspection: but nobody seems to know wiether the affair marches or not." Christopher would gladly have learned more, but the source of lnfor mation was pumped dry, and he apolo gized for having kept the two Nor burns so long from their engagement. "Rudovics is surely in this," Christo pher said to himself; and suddenly an Idea of what he would do in Rudovics' place sprang Into the young man's mind. If Rudovics hsd done that well, it would make things difficult. But. perhaps, after all., by this time Mirko had come home with a simple explanation of the .mystery. Before seeing Eloise again he decided to call for the second time at Lord Wendon's house to make inquiries. "Has His Royal Highness Prince Mirko come back?" he asked of the hall porter. "No. sir. but His Royal Highness Prince Peter has arrived from Paris." was the answer. Christopher thought for a moment, and then scribbled a few lines on a Court" and "Innocents Abroad" will forever remain masterpieces of origi nality and humor. Who among us does not love the memory of Robert Louis Stevenson? He was born on November 13, 1850. He wrote many beautiful stories and poems, but you would know him best for the cute children' verses, which since 'have been set to music Our Puzzle Corner SYLLABLE PUZZLE, Two brothers were discussing their plans of study for the coming Winter. The first decided to study em. ct. 1. ba. ch. ol. er. try. gy. is. o. The second decided on ol. ph, gy. phy, th, os. o, 11. e, o. What were their plans? .HYDRA-HEADED WORDS." I am a fish of four letters. Change my head and find "to walk." Change my head and find "a dainty fabric" Change my head and find "an herb." Change my head and find "a contest." Change my head and find "front." Aninen. Syllable puzzle First, chemistry and bacteriology; second, theology and phi losophy. Hydra-headed words Dace, pace, lace, mace, race, face. "Three million dollars has upent spent to brine the power of a waterfall HO miles to Comoay for electrlo llslit and power pur poses. Solution to UriwUg Lcu Foaale 4 card, for Prince Peter, whom be had never seen. Presently he was Invited to enter the library, where he had once been received by Mirko. and there stood the younger brother, a surprising likenpss of the elder. Such a face as Peter's could be trust ed for loyalty, if not for prudence, and Elolse had said that the boy knew of the engagement. Now Christopher, claiming friendship with Mirko and Miss Dauvray. spoke with partial frankness of his suspicions. "I believe." he said, "that somehow the Dalvanian Ambassador has got wind of the Prince's engagement. ed has tricked him. by means of a letter which your brother received thla morn ing, into calling at the Embassy. There he'll keep him. If my idea is right, until after the appointed wedding day. per haps indefenitely. to separate him from Miss Dauvray. and if possible to bring about a marriage with his stepdaugh ter." "Groat heavens, sir! The day that my brother marries Valda will be the day of my death." exclaimed Peter. "I love her she loves me. But Mirko doesn't know. He might take her with out dreaming that he wronged me; and Valda is so young that stie would not dare thwart her stepfather. I have been with Mirko often at the Embassy and the first moment I saw Valda I loved her as It was with my brother and Mies Dauvray. I knew I had nothing to fear from his rivalry, so I kept my secret, though I knew his; for there seemed no hope of marriage for me until my brother's rise in fortune should give me something to offer and I feared ho would disapprove, as we are both so young. Mirko sent me to Parte some days ago with a letter to a friend of his who is enlisting r crults and raising money. But yester day came a telegram from Valda, for warded to me from this house (I dont know who could have helped her, un less her maid) begging me to come buck, as she foresaw trouble. I wrote my brother I mwt return, wound up his affairs as well as I could, and 'here I am, only to find that trouble has come Indeed. What shall I do? Shall I demand Mirko at the Embassy?" "Certainly not." said Chrlstlpher. "But I'll tell you what you might do elope with Mile. Valda. That would be a valuable move. If her maid helps her to send off secret telegrams, sbe will help smuggle you Into the house. Do you know her name?" "Anastasta." replied Peter. "Disguise yourself as a man of her own class and ask for her at the serv ants' door. If you can get Mile. Valda. out of the Embassy before the day fixed for Prince Mlrko's wedding with Miss Dauvray your brother's happiness as well as your own will be assured. Take the young lady to Scotland with her maid for chaperon and marry her quickly: afterwards you can do things again In proper form. If her step father or her mother knows nothing of your love, neither of you will be watched or suspected: you ought not to have great difficulties; and Til lend you my motor car for the elopement." "What! the Scarlet Runner, oi wuicn my brother wrote? But that will bring me luck." "I hope so. for everyone concerned, said Christopher. "I can't take you my self, for I shall have business in Lon don: but I'll get you a good chauf feur." "Your business will be to release my brother." Prince Teter guessed. "That's easier said than done." Chris topher said gravely. "If he's In the Embassy. It's his own Embassy, you see; there's no other power to appeal to. Turkey would defend Rudovics action, if he declared that it was the only way to save a royal Prince from a marriage with an untitled, designing woman. Rudovics has nothing to fear in any case. And if we learn that Prince Mirko is his prisoner, even If we can release him. still, goodbye to his happiness." "What do you mean?" exclaimed Pe ter, horrified. "Something would certainly happen to Miss Dauvray. Their engagement known, those two would never be al lowed to come together again. In some way who knows how? they would be separated forever. To rescue your brother from the Embassy tak ing it for granted he's there means the breaking of his engagement." "Then, the breaking of his heart. Have you no plan to save him?" "I have a plan," said Christopher, but it's a queer one." "Can I help?" asked Peter. "By seeing Anastasla, finding out the gossip of the servants' hall, if any. concerning your brother, and running off with Rudovics' stepdaughter as quickly as you can." When Prince Peter of Dalvania and Christopher Race had sketched out something which faintly resembled a . plan and had made arrangements con cerning Scarlet Runner. Christopher kept his promise by going to Regent's Park and telling Eloise all that was in his mind. "You are right," she said, when she had heard him to the end. "That letter the valet told you Mirko burnt must have been from Rudovics. No doubt he asked to have it destroyed, so that Mirko could not be traced. He would have spoken of important news from Dalvania and hinted at mysterious rea sons why Mirko should let no one know he had been bidden in such haste to the Embassy. While they have him there I may be safe enough; but once he escapes and they know it, I will tell you what they could do. They wouM have such horrible things published about me in the Dalvanian papers that, for Mlrko's own sake, I could never consent to be his wire. The things need not all be true, but they would be believed, and even If Mirko would give his people a queen they could not respect. I would not let him do tt. Fitzgerald alone might try something of the sort, but I don't believe that unassisted he'd have influence to get such stuff published; , and if T could appear first in Dalvania as Mlrko's bride the people would love me and be loyal." "I've thought of all that." said Chris topher. "It's exactly what Rudovics and Fitzgerald would do If they did noth ing worse. But once married to you. and the little Valda in Scotland with Peter. Rudovics' hands would be tied. It would do him more harm than good to hurt you then." "Ah yes; if once we were married!" sighed Elolse. "I'lease be ready at the time already fixed for the wedding." raid Christo pher quietly. "And have everybody else concerned in the ceremony ready, too." "What are you planning?" . cried lCoaclutiti oa 6.1