Graustark

rd was a red-faced little man, pleasant and accommodating. He could speak German-in fact, he was a German by birth-and they had no difficulty in presenting their request. Mr. Fraasch-Jacob Fr

nacquainted, and the steward grimly informed them that the members of the ro

y courtesy possible to an American citizen. It was then that Anguish asked if he might be permitted to use his camera. There was an instant and emphatic refusal, and they were told that the pass would b

en ten paces. Where he came from they never knew, so instantaneous was his app

painted the castles on the Rhine, and was something of a connoisseur in architecture, was of the opinion that it had been standing for more than five hundred years. It was a vast, mediaeval mass of stone, covered with moss and ivy, with towers, turrets and battlements. There had been a moat in bygone days, but modern ideas had transformed the waterway into solid, level groun

ge of forbidden territory. When they had completed their tour of inspection their guide rapidly led the way to the wall that encircled the grounds, reaching it at a point not far from the castle itself. Here was situated another large gate, through which they did not pass. Instead, they ascended some steps and came out upon the high wall. The top of this wall was several feet wide, and walking was comparatively safe. They soon understood the guide's design. The object was to walk along this wall until they reached the main gate. Why this peculiar course was to be taken they c

mera, after which they thanked the steward and turned to fee the

d Anguish, as they walked down the stre

aven we have never heard of this land of Graustark,"

hat but one-half the world knows how the other half lives? I'll wager there are not t

over there has heard of the place,

ome red, some black, some blue, but all in solid colors. Beneath these robes were baggy trousers and blouses among the men, short skirts among the women. All wore low boots and a sort of turban. These costumes, of course, were confined to the native civilians. At the hotel the garb of the aristocrats was vastly different. The wome

astle, smoking their cigars and enjoying the glorious air. Being a stranger in a strange land, Lorry acted on the romantic painter's advice and also stuck a

gands and cutthroats, and I think it just as well that we be prepared,"

formed police guards; occasionally soldiers hurried barracksward; now and then belated citizens moved through the dense shadows on the sidewalks, but the Americans saw still life in its reality. Returning from their stroll beside the castle-walls, far to the west of where they had entered the grounds that afternoon, they pause

o'clock," said Lorry, a trifle awed

. "'Gad, it makes me sleepy to look down that street. It's

leep," urged Lorry, whose heart was light over the joys of the day to come. "I can dream just as well here, looking at

by fits and starts; long silences were common, broken only by brief phrases which seemed so to disturb the one to whom they were addressed that he answered gruffly and not at all politely. Their cigars, burnt to mere stubs, were thrown away, and

d the painter, half rising

other briefly. "The

y. It's as dark as Egypt under this h

or them to pass. To their exceeding discomfiture, however, the pedestrians halted directly in front of their resting place and seated themselves leisurely

ow voice and in fairly good English. The other merely grunted. T

you are caught it will

r we lie in prison. It's fair pay-not only for our failure, but for our

no sound from either of the thoroughly aroused dreame

t the night has ears. It is the only safe tongue. Geddos speaks it well. He should be here." It was the firs

and, almost before the Americans were

s, you are

ver a virtue." res

secured

ve, y

life! They are ready and wil

ons. I have told them that we are to rob the cast

the raid, then. That is as I desired.

They know nothing whatever of the Princess, Michael, and will do only as they are told, realizing that if caught they will be guillotined. I have told them it is

re gripping Lorry's leg so fiercely that the blood was ready to burst out, but he did not feel the pain. Here, the

ive of thes

ower it to the ground, one to stand guard at the west gate and two

these me

he ravine, awaiting Ostrom and myself. Are you sure, Michael, that the guards and t

u will see this light through the window, and will know that all is well inside the castle. Ostrom, you will then lead the two Viennese to a place directly beneath the third window in the Princess's sleeping apartment. There are several clumps of shrubbery there, and under these they will hide, protected from the gaze of any watchman who is not with us. You and Geddos will be admitted to the scullery by the cook, who will conduct you to the hall leading to Her Highness's bed-room. The man who guards her door is called Dannox. He will not be at his post, but will accompany you when you leave the castle. You will understand how carefully you must enter her room and how deeply she m

remendous was the restraint imposed upon their nerves. A crime so huge, so daring as the abduction of a Princess, the actual invasion of a castle to commit t

done, and we shall get her to Ganlo

r days I shall meet you at Ganlook. You will keep her in close confinement until

efore going to the castle. In case we are seen they will throw observer

ring deed, but it is just of the kind that succeeds. Who would dream that mortal man could find the courage to steal a princess of the r

ir work well," said Geddos, repeating what Ostro

n reaching Vienna. You will explain to them, Geddos. All we need them for, as you know, is to prove by their mere presence in case of capture that the attempt was no more than a case of burglary conceived by a band of Viennese robbers. There will be no danger of capture if you once get her outside the walls. You can be half way to Ganlook before she is missed from the castle. Nor can s

han to you, Michael," half

verything to me!

or a moment and then started swiftly in the direction of the city. The watchers had not been able to distinguish the

spered Anguish when the

r heard of. Are we dreaming? Did we really see and hear those men?"

citement as he rose to his feet. "Shall we notify old Dangloss or alarm the steward? There's no time to be lost if we want to trap these fellows. The chief devil is bound

do the whole

at do y

alarming? I'm in for saving the Princess of Graustark with our own hands and right under the noses of her vaunted guardsmen, as Michael says." Lorry was thrilled by the spi

We can't do such a t

Don't hesitate, old man! Come on! Come on! We'll take 'em ourselves, as sure as fate. Have you no nerve? What kind of

are at least

ff under the princess' window, and one stands at the gate. We can slug the man at the gate, the fellows under the windo

risk it with you. We will sa

ese robbers? The way will be clear, and will be kept clear. Jove, man, we n

h toward the road that ran beside the wall. They looked to the

nes," whispered the painter to his

o crack that fellow's head at the

are we to kno

ters that gate we'll crawl up and get rid of the fellow who stands watch." It was so dark that they could barely see the roadway, and they found it necessary to cease talking as the

gate?" whis

castle, judging by the distance we have come. Let us

of his cane, preparing in that way to deaden the sound of the blow that was to fall upon the Vienna man's head. Then they threw aside their hats, buttoned thei