Caesar's Column

aster of the Servants, who soon appeared, bowing deferentially to my friend. We were ushered into his private room. Maximilian first locked the door; he then examined the room ca

Master of the Servants was called, and handed him the me

it," h

t with a troub

f the facts here stated, and believe them

now if Estella is still in ignorance of t

and has contrived to keep her out of the Prince's sight. She

exclaimed Maximilian. "We must see

I saw her but a few moments since. Wait for Me." "Stop," said Maxim

t I can

Mr. Martin, and my friend here as Mr. Henry. She may refuse our a

h, who acted throughout as if he felt hims

elight, to know that she was still the pure angel I had worshiped in my dre

she recognized me; and I fancied the recognition was not unpleasant to her. She then turned to Maximilian and then to Rudolph, who introduced us as we had requested. I offered her a chair. She sat down, evidently astonish

you desire to speak to me

oor. She started, and it seemed to me that her eyes turne

he greatest moment to yourself. But we shall say things so surprising to you, so harsh and

r during this spee

for you, and the greatest desire to serve you, and save

her hand on her heart, as if to still its beati

o not know what the dangers are to which

Maximilian, looking at me, "you ha

e deserved, our insolent driver. Miss Frederika, the Prince's niece, has, at my request, refused since that time to permit him to drive us when we go ou

ervice was of any value it has been a t

t my friend here, after that interview, was nat

ht flashed across my mind that perhaps she had be

at at any moment it is subject to the call of our officers. When my friend desired to know something about you" (here the blue, wondering eyes were cast down again), "I sent a message to our Bureau of Inquiry, and received a reply which I have here. I fear to show it to you. The shock

r hand for the paper with the dignit

"I do not think it can tell

aper revealed; then the interest became more intense; then the eyebrows began to rise and the blue eyes to dilate with horror; then an expression of scorn swept over her face; a

rdly trick to wound me! A shamefu

on Rudolph, her eye

ce this attack on his good name and Miss Frederika. H

f, hung his head in silence

ou, by the oath you have taken, to say to this lady

e true," responded R

keen penetration that shone in Estella's eyes, as

s Washington whether or not you paid $5,000 to her aunt, Maria Pl

lied Rudolph, in

t there was that in her tone which indicated th

lady whether you took a receipt from he

replied

eached his crucial question, for he was a trained attorney,

tain

often seen

ndreds o

Rudolph? Do you not know that in testifying to t

d there was a wild and w

pt, Rudolph," s

e low and almost trembli

h, 1988.--Received

Washington; and I hereby agree, as the custodian of the said Estella Washington, never to demand any further payment, from the said Prince of Cabano, on account o

Maria P

dolph brought some water and bathed her face. In a few minutes she recovered consciousness. She looked at us curiously at first, and then, as memory returned to her, an agonized and distraught look passed over her features, and I feared she would faint again. I held some water t

do it. You are strangers to me. It i

interest to tell you the truth. But is there any one of the s

st girl, if there is one anywhere. I think she lov

you might think we did so to prompt her. We will hide behind the tapestry. Dry your tears; ring

-an honest, stout, rosy-cheeked Irish girl, with t

kind to me. Do you love me sufficiently to t

may do so, my d

is Frederika the Pri

s blood to him

in his house, the

f it hadn't been for Barney McGuiggan, who married my brother's sister-in-law, and who is own cousin to Mr. Flaherty, the butler's second assistant, I

to you. I shall never repeat what you say. I do not ask

out the answer to your own question long ago. Faith, an' don't everybody in the house know she's

led. After a

ladies we call the Prince's cousins-

n't I tell her that Miss Frederika was contriving to kape you out of the Prince's sight.; and that was the rason she took you out riding for hours ivery d

t Estella grasped the back of a chair f

uch obliged to you for yo

ands over her face, sobbing convulsively. At

I am sold--sold--a helpless

friends while we live," I s

" she cried out,

ome you can remain, safe from the power of the Prince, until you have time to think out your future course of life; and if you conclude to remain with us for

on is the soul of honor. His simple w

fly at once,"

o; this house is guarded and full of spi

you advise?" a

e Brotherhood act as sentinel at the door which opens into a hall which connects with this room; for you see here is a special entrance which leads to a stairway and to the door I speak of. I will procure a gentleman's dress for Miss Estella; she is tall and will readily pass in the da

rd and said, "I

id Rudolph, looking at me critically. "If

as great," I replied. Estella blush

iculty I perceive,

hat?" aske

on exposed to the danger of remaining f

th, and keep her room during that time. It is on an upper floor, and if she

e this weapon. It is poisoned with the most deadly virus known to the art of m

it in the last extremi

"purity in death than

eyes, and took the dagge

ations. It is called to prepare for an expected outbreak of the people. It would be well that some reliable person should be present, as he

re anyhow; and as I would have to remain until the gatheri

f us," said Rudo

t I will vouch for his

oor; and after a reasonable delay we will pass through into a communicating s