Show THE SAUNA CALL SALINA r HOSEN for taciturnity his position hi and bis dlacre- - desire when will be revealed to you you will be admitted into of the league Now We have need of friend tlon Lord Claude occupied inner circles the post of secretary to ten well my what might fairly be cal- you again” led the most exalted club In Europe A young man barely turned thirty after a brilliant career at Ox- ford he had declined the honors that might legitimately have been hi Instead and bad chosen to wander from court to court the of Europe among highways Wherever he went he made friend He was one of those silent Treshams who have played and still play so large a part behind the noisy politicians In whose control the destinies of Europe are supposed to lie At present however he was engaged in a wider than the field of sphere of operation He was secEnglish politics allowed retary to what waB nicknamed among Its exalted member the “Black Cabinet"— more familiarly the “Black” Rumor ascribed to the aged em Franz Joseph the peror of Austria formulation of this unique conception Cerof a club of reigning monarchs tainly the proposition whoever had propounded It was taken up with In these days of democracy kings must preserve the dignities of their order even if It necessitates the formation of a royal trades union What more fitting then than that the club Bhould be Inaugurated in Paris where kings and emperors love to the spend their holidays far from cares of state and pomp of power? Most of the ruling sovereigns and Dot a few prospective or deposed ones were members of the club but not all were of the first order The “Blacks” in fact comprised a limited number of the graver rulers who were pledged to diverse things but mainly to stand discountenance by one another and the spread of republican doctrines to t preserve the peace of Europe and to act together in case that peace were menaced by the ambitions of the smaller restless kings The club was theoretically always in session though it had no fixed meeting place Lord Claude Tresham was traveling secretary and carried the minutes of the meetings under his hat The leaders of the "Blacks” were: Franz Joseph of Austria Gustav of Sweden George of England Victor of Italy George of Greece Charles of Jtoumanla and Haakon of Norway “Outside” members who were looked on with a certain on account of their spirit suspicion of adventure and recklessness though they were nominally of the club were the czar the kaiser and Ferdinand of Bulgaria Given the black the red must be created if it does not exist The “Reds” were not members but It was understood were that they too pledged to support each other in their various schemes They comprised Alfonso of Spain Manuel of Peter of Servia Nicholas of Portugal Montenegro and a number of leading statesmen to pledged in the main overthrow democracy and the const! tutional monarchies and to revive the in Europe But spirit of absolutism for their support of Polish ambitions they might have numbered the waverCzar Nicholas among their meming bers They were represented in western Europe by Jean Rosny of Paris and it wcs to him that Paul Lane adAmerican millionaire and venturer of fortune made his reports The successful issue of his Moroccan mission had given Paul the hope that admission to the secret councils of the “Reds” might be his that the woman whose urging had mysterious Induced him to devote himself and his fortunes to the League of Lost Causes would again he seen by him would reveal her identity and let him plead his That she was in high rank love among the ancient families of Europe he was aware that she scorned him as a mere moneyed American be But the memory of her suspected burned in his heart like an inextinfire and the impossibility guishable of even gaining audience with her embittered him In his despondency he broached the subject to Jean Rosny anew The latter looked at him quizzically “Paul you are impatient" he said “Tell me one thing did you ally yourself with us in the hope of gaining your lady’s affections or out of sympathy with our cause?” “It was because I believed in the cause" said Paul somberly “But” he added naively “undoubtedly It was the charming personality of Mademo- iselle—” “Yes of Mademoiselle” answered Rosny dryly “Let us call her that then" Paul lane responded "It was that which had a leading influence upon my decision Rosny my money is IndispensaYou have admitted ble to the league as much to me Then why —" “Why should you be debarred from meeting Mademoiselle again? Why is it not enough Paul to know that she watches you that she approves of your work to feel that some day you shall assuredly meet her again? My dear Paul trust yourself to us with the knowledge that by each success you hasten the day when all that you tack on Turkey— pray ir be seated and have patience for a moment They learned that his majesty the German to visit France emperor intended They planned to detain him here for four and twenty hours confident that in his absence none would have courage enough to veto their intentions And once the war had begun all Europe would be aflame and they would pull some fine plums out of the pudding" Suddenly the door was burst open and Monsieur Gabriel appeared on the threshold livid with fear “Gentlemen your majesties — he stammered and then Lord Clailde took In He ran toward the door and the situation the followed by the rest They were too late Advancing toward theih came a lis- And he unrolled the plan which brought about this situation: that while Lord Tresham gave to Monsieur Gabriel the restaurant keeper his last instructions as to the menu for a certain banquet Paul in the guise of a waiter stood patiently by napkin in hand and a very clean white tie restiff shirt posing on an Immaculate front There were six places at the table and five men four of them kings waited gravely for the last to arrive They had shaken off the gayety that is so contagious in Paris for the occasion was a momentous one If he should not arrive! “I know he will not come” said the his with Greek sovereign playing bread “He could not hope to escape recognition with those confounded Yankee journalists tagging him everywhere that he goes” “I think he will come” said Haakon “Did you ever know him to refuse an opportunity for such an adventure?” “Yes he’ll come” answered Lord headed by a file of six Infantrymen young lieutenant who (topped six them paces distant and motioned back “Gentlemen” he said "you are under arrest on the charge of conspiring You against the French republic must come with me at once Shall I read the warrant?” The sovereigns looked at one another aghast Arrest In Paris was no joke even though the charges must UTAH and the great “story” of the year halt written in her brain Miss Nancy Shand was always on the spot when news was in the making Motioning to both to precede him Paul pulled back the sliding panel into position just as the lieutenant becoming aware of the flight of some members of the party dashed into the diningroom — to see only the furniture and the walls Black darkness confronted them but Paul bad learned the way before that night He urged his charges down the narrow stalre until they found at a turn of the path in themselves chamber of stone a large dimly-li- t with a stone door Round this apartment were ranged enormous tuns in which Monsieur Gabriel stored his choice Burgundy from the Midi Paul closed the door behind him — it had no on his Then he turned guests key ” “You majesty he said “I owe you a thousand apologies But I can save you There is only one way out of your dilemma and not a dignified one Still—” He walked toward the nearest wine tun and turned the spigot and a rich crimson flood began to stain the The next stone of the floor was Paul calmly seized her round the waist and drew her toward the tun She screamed Overhead the trampcame voices ling of feet was heard Then Paul Lane faintly to their ears quietly deposited Miss Shand Inside the vacant tun adjoining royal Germany He placed his lips to the bunghole “I shall have to cork you up madam” he said “since you persist in screaming But don’t be alarmed In five minutes you shall be free to once breathe through the more” He placed the cork In place as the soldiers ran down the stairs and came bursting Into the room "Here’s one of them” shouted the officer In charge “Where are the rest of you? Why— It’s the waiter!” Indeed Paul Lane looked the character to perfection at that moment as he flung himself at the officer’s feet me — spare my life!" he “Spare pleaded “To the devil with your miserable life! Where Is Bulging the leader of the dynamiters?" cried the officer “I do not know monsieur” Paul whined “They threatened me and I ran away through the secret panel Claude “Unfortunately — because —” The door opened and Monsieur Gabriel bowed to the floor like a fat And close angel of the Annunciation behind him strode a tall kingly figure clad in a voluminous robe which he threw into Monsieur Gabriel’s arms disclosing the personality of the kais- er himself His four brother sovereigns rose simultaneously and embraced him They joked and chaffed with one another throughout the meal the kaiser’s presence lending an atmosphere of supreme to the proLord Claude Impassive and was unbent at the The meal raillery before Haakon remembered something “By the way Tresham" he said “why did you remark that his majesty would come ‘unfortunately?’ That was the very word I believe Come speak up and tell us” “That” answered Tresham “will form part of the subsequent proceedThe meeting” he ings of the club added looking at his watch “will not begin till nine It is now twenty minutes short of the hour” The cloth was removed walnuts were placed beside the port in accordance with Monsieur Gabriel's immemorial custom and the guests relaxed themselveB in their chairs The clock bowstruck nine Monsieur Gabriel ing low dismissed himself to a chorus of compliments “Go now mademoiselles” he said to the pretty waitresses “Go monsieur” he added to Paul The latter moved with the girls toward the exit behind the curtain His mission was in the making — ten minutes more and— Then Lord Claude Tresham stood in his chair up “One moment please” he said “Monsieur Gabriel where did you get these ladles?” “These ladles monsieur as you are pleased to call them are experienced waitresses and highly recommended” answered the proprietor smiling "Mademoiselle Armine here served with the family of the Due de Berry for three years Mademoiselle grew up as I may say with the Her family of the Due de Nemours references are Irreproachable" "You and “Enough” said Tresham Mademoiselle Armine retire may through the door Mademoiselle remains she wishes to speak with us” “Gentlemen" he said "you have wished to know why I referred to the visit of his majesty the German emperor as ‘unfortunate’ We need have no secrets here Our cards are all on the table Your majesties permit me to present Miss Nancy Shand” The rulers inclined their heads “A friend of yours Lord gravely Tresham?” inclined the Greek sovereign blandly “No” answered Lord Claude curtly ‘‘One of your confounded Yankee Journalists and the cleverest in Europe at the present day” "The devil!” shouted the Greek king springing up in his chair and then collapsing with an apologetic air “Well the fat’s in the fire now” he muttered “Miss Shand” said Lord Tresham the very composed young addressing lady “you are here tonight because by a stroke of good fortune you have learned of the existence and meeting of our club “You are well aware of what I discovered an hour before the dinner that a conspiracy has been formed against his majesty the kaiser in the Interests of two gentlemen— his majesty King Peter of Servia and his highness Prince Nicholas of Montenegro Am I correct?" “I am not at liberty to give out advance information” Miss Nancy anceedings Inscrutable as he kaiser’s charming was nearly ended swered since you know more than I Shand — or else you would not been here — I will be frank with King Peter and Prince Nicholas resolved to make a sudden at “But Miss have you have fall and their release be effected after they had reached the mediately station house and held a confidential discussion with the sergeant in charge But the kaiser—the kaiser arrested in Paris! But the monarchs’ dismay was fully equaled by that of Paul who still attired in waiter’s garb lingered by the curtain So far he had fulfilled his structions admirably It was necessary as Lord Tresham had said that the kaiser should be detained In France while Peter and Nicholas of carried out their schemes Montenegro of aggrandizement Paul sized up the situation before Tresham could put his wits together The kings still clustered at the entrance to the the officer was still fumbling with his papers He sprang from behind the curtain and seized the kaiser by the arm dashed back with him Into the diningroom and ran to a sliding panel behind the big fireplace a remnant of the stirring days of the thirties when the last Bourbon reigned on his unwas rife easy throne and conspiracy in Paris He pushed It back disclosing a narrow flight of stairs At the head he hesitated The woman journalist who all unsuspected by him had also been present at the banquet!— if she escaped she would reveal the story as Lord Tresham had told It to her and his efforts would be useless He must make her a captive as well as his majesty And as he turned he uttered an exclamation of for there stood she beside surprise them her eyes alight with eagerness and the next also Drawing empty backward himself he shot his fist The blow shatwith all his might tered the head of the tun into two Another blow did likewise to pieces the second tun Paul Lane removed the heads and returned rubbing his Injured knuckles "Sir” he said “there Is but one You piust conceal thing to be done yourself awhile from your enemies” “But the police!” the kaiser shouted Can such an outrage “The soldiers! be perpetrated in the heart of Paris?” “No sir” said Paul “It would mean only a temporary detention But every hour’s delay Is likely to be fatal to Besides there are Jouryour aims nalists attached to all police stations" And Miss Shand smiled armed — ” the kaiser "If I were shouted “Your majesty time is very precious” said Paul and led the kaiser toward the tun “If you will deign to place your royal foot in my hand” he said And a moment later the kaiser “Place your lips had crawled inside to get the air” against the bunghole the head said Paul and fitted on Fixed as it was it could be dislodged He turned to only from the outside Miss “Now the American girl Nancy” be said This was a proposition entirely new "You want me— me — to go inside Miss Shand that tun!” exclaimed dignantly Paul nodded and approached her “I won’t!” Miss Nancy cried stamp“How dare ing her foot indignantly Monster!" you!— Oh! Ah he was terrible that brigand his very mustaches seemed to bristle” From somewhere very far away the very faintest knocking came and the faintest of cries Paul Lane seized the lieutenant by the arm “They muBt be above in the flooring” he cried “Ah that loose plank that sqeaked I will get them monsieur I will—” “Come on men!” shouted the officer and darted out of the cellar and up the stairs Paul followed leisurely Thus it came about that their majesties of Sweden Norway Greece and Roumanla made their appearance in the central police station of Paris And in a short while they were released with the most abject apologies The secret was kept for by a miracle of luck there were no reporters pres- ent But when the news was telegraphed in several ciphers to the capitals of Europe that same night and no word came of the kaiser It is reported that tore his hair and drafted a dozen different letters of resignation Meanwhile Servia and Montenegro dispatched an ultimatum to Constantinople to demand certain advantages and there was none to rattle the war sword on behalf of Islam — for the Lord of the Sword was missing And here is the dilemma that as he strolled confronted Paul the streets a free man through He of had accomplished Paris his end he had bottled up — literally almost — the kaiser and that If he left them for babbling reporter four and twenty hours war would break out and bis enterprise succeed to him But then — the thought came with hideous meaning as he approached the door of his residence— he had left the cork In the of the barrel in which Miss Nancy lay! He must release her To uncork the barrel would mean that her screams He must free would bring aid to her her— and so the kaiser too The fate of Europe rested with this obscure Yankee girl burled inside a tun It has hung on more trivial things It was midnight when Paul got back to Gabriel's and the frightened proprietor stared at him as he entered and throwing up his hands vanished like an apoplectio angel into the recesses of his house Paul entered the wine cellar and as he passed through the door cried loudly in dismay There was not a tun or barrel in the He saw a bare cellar with place bare whitewashed walls and the marks of muddy Bhoes around the entrance — no more He ran back at full speed and hammered upon the door of Monsieur Gabriel's apartment on rst story "Open open!” he shouted "or I break It in Open Monsieur Gabrieli I shall not hurt you!” At last the bolt shot back and the livid shaking proprietor appeared He with terror He fell on his knees did not recognize the waiter in this the visitor peremptory “Ah forgive me forgive me” he exclaimed almost distraught “I knew nothing of this Oh monsieur—!” He groveled upon the floor incapable of further utterance Paul raised him not ungently “Monsieur Gabriel where are the tuns that were in your cellar?” he asked "The tuns monsieur? The tuns?” “Ah yes babbled the Frenchman the tuns of course the tuns Why is the monsieur this night which falls each quarter when the vans collect them for shipping back to the south of France Tomorrow my new tuns arrive They were all empty monsieur even the last of them for somebody had turned the spigot and spilled the wine —” “You ass” said Paul “when were they collected?” I “Half an hour since monsieur was distraught I watched the meu 1 could say like a madman nothing My beautiful wine all spilled and—” “Where have they gone?” “To the Southern station monsieur All tuns go thither to be shipped back to the each quarter Doubtless all Paris is yielding up tuns this night There is a special train monsieur which starts in the ' and—” morning Paul thrust Monsieur Gabriel from him and rushed out into the street He hailed a passing fiacre and ordered the man to drive to the terminal station of the Southern railway Arrived there he tossed the man a louis and rushed into the freight yard There were thousands of tuns piled up now rolled into heaps which every and then collapsed like topheavy pyramids and tumbled over other tuns sending dozens of them skipping and And at rolling in every direction each gate wagons and vans were distuns and barrels of every charging sort and size Paul stared In dismay at this fearful panorama Among those thousands which tun held Germany's ruler and which the woman spy? He could never find either He staggered like a drunken man around the yards At the gates porters were joking and chatting with drivers as the hideous tuns were unloaded and sent crashing upon the From their battered tops of others sides thin drops of wine stained the Which one? Dear ground like blood God which one? There was a song For had Stay! not His Majesty composed a famous song the “Song to Aeglr” which had been satirized and ridiculed and admired throughout all Germany and too? Europe Paul Lane began to hum that song Presently as he threaded his way among the maze of tuns it occurred to him that the barrels from Gabriel's having been collected only recently' would of necessity be on the outskirts nearest the gates This thought He picked his gave him new hope way thither and began singing again And at last juBt as he had abandoned hope he heard the faintest answer He stopped hardly daring to hope He sang loudly Now he could distinguish the tun from which the voice He listened it was the proceeded answer It was the “Song to Aegir” and sung under circumstances Buch as its royal composer had never In his wildest dreams Imagined Paul went toward that end of the barrel where he knew the Kaiser’s feet must be He swung his arm back and his fist forward An Instant later he was helping Germany’s ruler out of his hiding place And both gasped: "The woman!” The second barrel must lie near the first Paul half lifted and tested them Light— light— light— ha! this one must hold all that was left of her Again he swung his fist and the barrel head burst asunder And out of' it scrambled very flushed and inin disarray dignant and hopelessly Miss Nancy Shand “You are alive” gasped Paul “But how — how did you breathe? I thought I corked the "Idiot!” sobbed Miss Nancy "didn’t you ever hear of a hairpin?” That is how Germany got back her in time to stay the war sovereign They say Prince Nicholas' received his kingship In place of his princedom for staying his hand That Is disputed but it is certain that Paul pospessea the Order of the Block Eagle lane |