Graustark

his time on the street. Harry Anguish had been a pseudo art student for two years. When at college he was a hail-fellow-well-met, a leader in athletics and in matters upon which faculties frow

heir unexpected meeting in Paris, was as exhilarating pleasure to both, and for the next week or so they were inseparable. Together they sipped

a large measure, justifiable. Growing impatient to begin the search for the unheard-of country, its capital and at least one of its inhabitants, he was at last compelled to inform Anguish, to a certain extent, of his plans for the future. He began by telling him of his inte

y of his light-hearted friend as payment for his confidence. Instead, however, Anguish, who possessed a lively and romantic natu

im a personal description of the mysterious beauty, introducing him, in the same manner, to the distinguish

me you for hunting down this wonderful bit of femininity. With a curiosity and an admiration that h

ne-curiosity. And maybe not tha

ttle kingdoms and principalities over here that it would take a lifetime to get 'em all straightened out in one's head. To-morrow morning we will go to one of the big railway-stations and make in

said tha

kiss to you

t, that was because she nev

you threw a kiss

; I wasn't

than you did, she is accountable, and I'

y in the undertaking. Not that he expected to encounter any particular difficulty, but that he saw a strange loneliness ahead. Therefore he welcomed his friend's avowed intention to accompany him to Edelweiss a

do with her after you f

f up with a jerk, puzzled uncertainty expressi

hat after I have fo

arry her?" pers

xclaimed the woman

is married-all sorts of contingencies, you know. But, if you'll pardon my inquisitiveness, I'd like to

f I thought-" H

on which to base operations. The one object of our endeavors, from now on, is to exchange Guggensl

a cab to several railway stations and

fter they had turned away from the third station.

th. There is a Graustark and she lives ther

ity, or branded him a dolt, the victim of some merry actress's whim. Still, he was forced to admit, he was not in a position to see matters as they appeared, and was charitable enough to bide his time and to humor the faith that was leading them from place to place in the effort to find a land that they knew nothing about. Lorry seemed so sure, so positive, that he w

submit. With the perverseness common to half-defeated fighters, Anguish at onc

e said. "Or, better still, let us go to the post office. There! Why have we not

ainable. Inside of five minutes they were in possession of facts that vindicated Miss Guggenslocker, lifted Lorry to the seventh heaven, and put Mr. Anguish into an agony of

y found a great map, and, after a diligent and almost microscopic search, succeeded i

for a girl like her to live in," he continued. "And that sweet-faced old lady and noble Uncle Caspar! Ye gods! one would think barbaria

s a lark, and, besides, she may not be the only pretty and gracious girl there. We've had

buying some ugly-looking revolvers and inviting the prospect of something really thrilling in the way of an adventure. With their traps they were soon whirling through France, bound for a certain great city, on the road to Edelweiss, one filled with excitement, eagerness and boyish zeal, the other harrassed by the sombre fear that a grave disappointment was in

man fairly well, and took every opportunity to brush up in that language, Lorry remembering that the Guggenslockers used many expressions that showed a preference for the Teutonic. The blithe Anguish, confident and in high feather, was heart and soul in the odd expedition

was two hundred miles or more, chiefly through mountainous lands. Somewhat elated by the cheerful information there received, they resumed the journey to Edelweiss, the cit

s comfortably. "I'll admit it has been a tiresome journey, and I'll be glad when we can step into a decent hotel, have a

eople and the habitations are different and the whole world seems changed

exclaimed Anguish. "If those fellows are not ban

ts engaged in silent contemplation of the cars. The men, picturesquely attired and looking fierce, carrying long rifles, certainly bore an

man in English, smiling at their astonishment

ear a man talk white man's

n this road? An Englishman?" demanded

uard, flushing slightly. "My name's

laimed Lorry. Sitz

into trouble down at Constantinople and had to get out of de service. After dat I drift

been on this road

t'ink. Been on dis branc

well acquainte

ou ever saw in your life. The town runs right up the mountain to the tip-top where

ood bit about the country and city to which they were going. His knowled

own, and I can't get next to a t'ink dey say. But once in a while you find some guy dat talks French or German. Dey've got a little standin' army of two t'ree t'ousand men an' dey've got de hottest uniforms you ever did see-red an' black an' gold. I don't see why d' United Rates can't get up som

us?" demanded Lorry

dem other fellows captured de city an' went after a slashin' big war indemnity. I don't know much 'bout it, an' maybe I'm clear off but I t'ink d

kers?" asked the irrepressible Angui

Never did. Fr

rposed Lorry, hastily

nybody at all," said Sitzky, easily. "D' hotel pe

s the best hotel th

the action. "Oh," he said, pleasantly, "dere's a swell joint uptown called d' Regengetz. It's too steep fer me, but ma

rth your while, S

ther, no matter where dey are. We'll have a drink a

eat and drink tonight at the 'swell

ad guard inside de feedin' pen. Why, nothin' but royal guys eat dere

the air of antiquity that prevailed. Once upon the narrow, clean street they saw that Edelweiss was truly a city of the mountain-side. They had expected something wonderful, but were not prepared for what they found. The city actually ran up into the clouds. There was something so grand, so imp

n an' you'll see how much of d' city dere is on level ground down here. Dem buildings up dere ain't more'n one-fiftieth part of d'town.

ple get up to those ho

n horseback-wid d' white uniform? Well, dat's de chief of police, an' d' fellers

had called him, was quite small in stature, rather stout, gray-bearded and eagle-nosed. His face was keen and red, and not at all the kind to invite familiarity. As he passed them the railroad

codger," obs

et him get you in d' sweatbo

been t

lantry when ladies is concerned. If it hadn't been fer dat, I'd be in d' lock-up now. An' say, you ought to see d' lock-up! It's a tower, wid dungeons an' all dat sort of t'ing. A man couldn't no more get out 'n' he could fly up to d' monaster

"We shall try to conduct ours

pointments. As soon as the two Americans had been given their rooms, they sent for their luggage. Then they went out to the broad piazza, with its columns and marble balustrades, and looked for Sitzky, remembering their invitation to drink. The guard had refused to e

he officer, who bowed and strode

ot a bit annoyed by his encounter. "I'll bet my head 'at inside ten minutes old

're doing here," grinned Anguish, looking at Lo

the hotel, a half hour later, that worthy was in exceeding good humor and very much flushed in the face. He said he would

d corner of the world," mused Lorry, as they watched t

kers as easily, we'll be in luck. Wh

oncerning them. They certainly

igns around town," observed Anguish, consolin

city. Everybody was busy, contented, quiet and happy. There was no bustle or strife, no rush, no beggars. At six they saw hundreds of workingmen on the streets, going to their ho

od-night guns," speculated Anguish.

Regengetx. The dining hall was spacious and beautiful, a m

ok well," Anguish whispered, as if he feared thei

e class in which we must expec

nlike their companions were they in personal appearance. They were taller, broader and more powerfully built than the swarthy-faced men about them, and it was no wonder that the women allowed admiration to show in their eyes. Toward the end of the dinner several officers came in, and the Americans took particular pains to s

they'd be nasty in a scrap," observed Ang

omen are perfect, though. Have you eve

retty women. I believe I'll ta

eeling that as they were on exhibition they ought to appear to the best advantage. During the evening they heard frequent allusions to "the Americans," but could not understand what was said. The h

Gren," said Anguish, as they sat dow

Americans

h. That clerk talks German fairly well. I never heard such a language as these other people use. Say, old

f he could tell them where Caspar Guggenslocker lived. He looked politely incredulous and thoughtful, and then, with profound regret, a

d Lorry, almost appealingly. He felt disheart

n Dangloss, the Chief of Police. He knows every soul in Edelweiss. I am positive I

so dismayed by his disappointment