The Cardiff Times

MOTOR-CAR OVERTURNED. Llanelly Travellers Injured. Shortly before noon on Saturday Mr Owen Griffiths and Mr Robert Macdonald, commis- sion agents, of Llanelly, after transacting some business in Manchester, engaged a motor-car and chauffeur to go for a ride into Cheshire. When nearing Withington, in avoid- ing a mineral water lorry the car was upturned, and the three occupants were thrown into the roadway. The driver was badly bruised, and shaken, and wasfunconscious for a short time. Mr Griffiths fratftured his left arm and sustained some nasty cuts and bruises, whilst Mr Mac- donald was picked up suffering from shock and a severe cut on the head. A passing medical man having attended to their injuries, they returned to Manchester. The, car was very little damaged.

FACTORY REGULATIONS. The' Home Secretary has issued an order, to take effect from January 1st next, applying the provisions of Section 116 of the Factory and Workshops Act to factories and workshops where the making, altering, ornamenting, finishing, and repairing of wearing apparel other than boots and shoes and auy work incidental thereto are earried on, and to outworkers or piece- workers employed in these processes, and occu- piers and contractors by whom they are em- ployed. The occupier shall, for the purpose of enabling each worker who is paid by the piece to compute the total amount of wages payable to him in respect of his work, cause to be published or given to him in writing particulars of the rate of wages applicable to the work to be done, and also particulars of the work to which that rate is applied. The particulars either as to rate of wages or as to work aball not be expressed in symbols.

The Cardiff Branch of the National Commer- cial Travellers' Temperance Lea^jne held its third annual meeting at the new headquarters, the Railway Hotel, Great Western Approach, on Saturday evening. There was a large attend- ance, and the various reports were highly satis- factory. The following were the officers elected for the current year:—Mr W. Davies (chairman), Mr 8. G. Barber (vice-chairman), Mr S Wilson (treasurer), and Mr Walter Williams (secretary). Ive The branch has a strong and attractive pro- ( gramme for the winter session, and Saturday 'I night's enthusiasm augurs well for its future pro- gress and usefulness. On Saturday morning an "elderly lady named Elizabeth Lindlater, of Oharles-plase, Barry, was found dead in bed after having reti.ed the previews night in appatently her uaaai. AMWI.

I Complete Story. THE ROLLING STONE. BY WILLIAM LE QUEX. Author of The Tickencote Treasure," Whoso Findeth a Wife," The Under Secretary," Of Royal Blood," &c., &c. Some months ago I returned to London after an absence of several years on tbe Continent. Dear old dirty London is ever the Englishman's goal, however far and wide he may roam or however much of a thorough-going cosmopolitan be may become. Paris may be the candle to the moth, Petersburg may glitter and attract, and Vienna echo with the laughter of bright-eyed women and bravely-uniformed men but upon him who is doomed by force of circumstances to travel hither and thither over the face of Europe, the charm of change soon palls, and the clatter of the table d'hote, with its habitual chit-chat, nauseates. One night I had been smoking with "Vernon, a friend of old Winchester days who had already made his mark at the Chancery Bar, and leaving him at eleven o'clock strolled fiotn Fig Tree-court up Chancery-lane towards the First Avenue Hotel, where I was staying prior to fixing upon a bouse in the country. With a couple of other old friends whom I had not seen for several years, we had dined at a res- taurant, and returning to the Temple bad spent a very pleasant evening among old reminis- cences. And as I walked up Chancery-lane my reflections took entire possession of me. I had only been back a week in the old grimy haunts I loved so well, yet so quickly had I fallen into the groove that it really seemed as though I had never left London at all. My erratic wanderings were just like some half- remembered dream. It began to rain fast, and as I had no desire to spoil my new silk bat—a conventional article of dress which 1 hate at all times—I hurried forward, and was about to cross HoLborn to my hotel when, of a sudden, a deep cheery voice cried in a strong German accent, but in very fair English Why, only fancy Mr dear Lewis I You here—in Loudon I" Turning quickly, I confronted a big, burly, thick-set man whom I had first met in the Hotel de l'Europe in Madrid, a German named Carl Schultz, with whom I had, during my stay in the Spanish capital, and afterwards through a winter at Biarritz, been on very friendly terms. My dear Carl," I cried. How fortunate this meeting, I thought you never came to London ?" "Ab, seldom "be sighed, almost as though the Metropolis were full of painful memories. Well. I said, we won't stay here in the rain. I'm staying there, across the road. Come over to the hotel with me." For a ajoment he hesitated to accept my in- vitation, declaring that he had an appointment in Edgware-road, but after a little persuasion he crossed the road with me, and' we were soon seated together in the smoking-room. ;1 Well," I asked, when the waiter had served us with drinks, and how has the world been wagging with you ? Why, it must be fully three years ago since we last mat-at Pan. wasn't it ?" Yes. just three years. We played whist at the English Club on my last night there, don't you recoiled ? But I've been travelling a lot since then, mostly in South America. I never remain very long together in any place-that you know. You used to call me the rolling stone," and he smiled, rather grimly. I thought. Yea. You are a rolling stone like myself, Carl." I remarked. What on earth have you been doing in South America ? You always pre; ferred Spain or Southern France, I thought "1 prefer places where I'm unknown," he declared. That was the truth. About him there had always been a distinct air of mystery. He hated society at hotels he seldom mixed with the guests, was generally silent at table d'hote, and hazarded but few remarks in the smoking-room. Indeed, to all others save myself, he was what is commonly known as a reserved man. Yet to me he was a merry, easy-going, even something of a Bohemian in his carelessness. Sometimes it had struck me that he might be a criminal i who had escaped justice, but his open face was j not that of a thief, and his mannei was ex- j tremely refined. He was a gentleman in every, sense of the word. But as he sat with me under the bright elec- tric light I noticed that he was not quite so well ^roomed as formerly, and that his coat was slightly fiaved, a fact which puzzled me, for he had always been in possession of ample funds, and lived invariably in the most expensive hotels. After we had been chatting for some time, he suddenly looked me full in the face, saying I wonder whether you would do me a ser- vice ?" "I wHl, if it's in my power," I replied, promptly. What is it you require ?" I'm going out now to keep an appointment, and I want you to accompany me and act as wit- ness, if yon will." There was a strange earnest look in his blue eyes, and I saw that something was sorely troubling him. I bad seen a similar expression on his countenance when ha had played bacearat at San Sebastian and lost heavily. Witness of what ?" I asked. "Witness of our meeting," he said, vaguely. Will you come,or does it inconvenience you too much ?" Why,of course, I'll come, my dear fellow," I responded. "Mydatiea won't be very arduous, I suppose ?" No," he assured me, with a light laugh, by which I knew he was well pleased with my de. cision. We drained our glasses, went outside and, en, tering n hanson, were driven westward. The rain was now pouring down,making it the height of inconvenience and discomfort for the theatre crowds homeward bound, and as we drove along with the window down my friend turned to me and said— Promise me one thing, Lewis—that you'll express no surprise as to what yon may witness or whom you may meet to-night." The adventure was growing interesting, and his words aroused my curiosity. Do you anticipate anything extraordinary ?" I asked. Well.no." he replied, not without some hesi- tation. But sometimes the unexpected hap- pens therefore it is best to be forewarned." Through the splashing mod we turned from the Marble Arch into the Edgware-road, and thence down Cambridge-street until we reached one of the many quiet, genteel squares which abound in that neighbourhood. The house before which we alighted was a large one with a big portico and deep area, of a char- acter similar to hundreds of other West End houses. Over the fanlight a gas jet was burning in a crimson globe. A greyhaired manservant opened the door,and. bowing deeply when he recognised my friend, led us into a pretty drawing room at the rear of the house. It was upholstered in pale blue silk, and bore traces of luxury everywhere. We had scarcely been seated a moment when the door was suddenly flung open, and with a loud cry of welcome a woman rushed in and fell upon my friend's neck, shedding tears of joy. I must con fess to feeling myself a little de trop in such cir- cumstances, for I had no idea Schultz had ever had any little love affairs. To me ha had always appeared utterly indifferent to tbe charms of the fair sex. Indeed, I had known him to make scathing criticisms,upon the scraggy necks and imitation youth as seen in the hotels. My Annetta," he murmured, stroking her wealth of Jbrown hair tenderly. My poor Annetta. Yes, I am here at last- at last." But it is too cruel. You must leave me again to-night. I had hoped you would remain here and rest for one single day, or perhaps a week," she said in German, sighing sadly. Ah. That, you know, is impossible— utterly impossible. I am not master of my own destiny." Then, turning to me, he said, Lewis, let mo introduce you to my wife, Annetta the best and most devoted wife ever man had." She turned, and, uttering some words in Ger- man, bowed,and tried to smile through her tears. She was, I saw, an exceedingly pretty woman, not more than thirty, with great dark eyes which bore a sad expression, a countenance perfect in its contour, and a sweet well-foimed mouth with pouting lips. She was dressed beautifully in a decollete dress of cream, and in the coila of her hair there glittered a fine star of diamonds, while upon the bodice of her dress there was a single touch of colour-a broad, crimson, ribbon edged with white. Im moat delighted to make madame's ac- quaintance," I exclaimed in English. We are old friends and fellow travellers—your husband and I." Ah, yes," she answered, also in English. Carl b-'8 written of you, and told me of your Jong companionship in Biarritz." Madame lives here, in London, always 7" I inquired, surprised Schultz should never have mentioned her. Not always," she laoghed, for the first time brightening. Sometimes I travel, too." I must explain," my friend said. I. There are circumstances which unfortunately prevent us from living together." Yes, unfortunately for both of us." added Madame Schultz, sadly. My life is, alas, very dull now that we are always separated." Her husband, who still had his hand at her waist, drew her to him and impressed a soft kiss upon her brow. The scene between the pair was very affecting, and I really felt in the way. Why, I wondered, had he brought me there to be witness of that meeting ? Of a sudden the door was reopened, and there ran in a pretty, fair-haired boy of about six, dressed in a suit of dark green velvet. When he saw me, he halted and drew back. bat on recognising Schultz he rushed towards him, and buried his face in my friend's trouser leg. My little Carl," he cried, bending to him and kissing him tenderly. You expected me, didn't yoa ? And oh, what a man yon are grow- ing." Mother said she thought you were never coming to see us again," the boy said. We went to Paris to find you, but couldn't. Mother cried the whole night through, and then we came home again." Ah, it was not my fault, dading-not, my faolt," Schultz said, bending and kissing him fondly. I was compelled to leave Paris the very morning you arrived, and to travel, oh, so far»-acros3 the ocean." I had always suspected in my friend's life a hidden chapter, but had no suspicion of the real state of affairs. It seemed to me as though he were a criminal for ever eluding the vigilance of the police, a suspicion which was strengthened by a remark be let drop a few minutes later. The family re-union was a touching one. Many j wet» tho questions bcUuita aatad bis wiie«-»ad many the questions she asked of him regarding his life during their long enforced separation. He had been absent more than two years, and He had been absent more than two years, and when I expressed surprise at it he said in a tone of bitter regret Ah, my dear Lewis. Few married couples have had a stranger or more adventurous life Ah, my dear Lewis. Few married couples I have had a stranger or more adventurous life than we have. We married in secret eight years ago, at the registry office in Jilackfriars-road. For five weeks we were the happiest pair in all the world anti l-well, until I discovered that those whom I ought to evade were close upon me, and then I was compelled to set out again and travel. Since that day my dear wife and I have met but seldom In eight weary years we had only lived together in the aggregate six months. Virtually I have been a widower and she a widow, and my son, puor little Carl, has been fatherless." But wby I asked Surely Madame might have followed you to the Continent and have lived at another hotel under an assumed name if you did not wish it known that you haa majtried ?'' That was impossible," he said, shaking his head. Annetta is too well known on the Con- tinent. Here, in London, her identity is con- cealed. Your London is the safest place in all the world in which to hide.' Is hiding necessary ?" I asked, my interest increasing. It is imperative," he responded, with a sigh. Then he added in a hard voice—" Yon will know the reason, Lewis, acme day. But for the present you will at least be able to tear testi- mony tha,t you have seen me in the bosom of my family." The latter words had a ring of bitterness in them. The bright-joloured ribbon at his wife's breast attracted me. If she had placed it there to give the necessary touch of colour to the dead cream of her dress, she surely could not have displayed a more exquisite taste. As I stood looking at her I could not help remarking what a lovely woman she was. What, I wondered, could be the mystery which held them apart. To me thers was only one solution of the problem-my friend Schultz was wanted by the police. There came a light tap at the door, and the man who had admitted me entered with a card which he handed to his mistress. It's she, at last," she exclaimed. Then, to the man, Madame Schultz, said, "Show the lady in here." A few minutes later a short, wizen-faced old lady, attired in a style long out of date, was ushered in and greeted effusively by both my host and hostess. Shp was French, and was intro- duced to me as Madame Delaine. Ab, m'sieur," she exctaimed, addressing me in her own tongue, in a thin, sneaky voice. What weather I came from Paris to-day, I and we were nearly three hours late in London. I I never had such a rough passage—never." She allowed Schultz's wife to relieve her of her faded fur-lined cloak, which bore evident traces of moth, and then seated herself in a chair near a small table. Little Carl, after receiving an approving pat upon the head from the old lady, was sent up- stairs ou some pretext, and then, when we were aloue, Madame glanced inquiringly at Schultz and then at his wife. Oh, you may speak perfectly freely ma.da.me," he laughed. Monsieur Lewis is one of my most intimate friends, and I have asked him to be present at this interview." To act as witness," added his wife. "Tr6fi bien," squeaked the old lady. Then it shall be so. Well,' she said, fumbling at the bodice of her faded alpaca dress. I have brought you the sum, as usual." And after some difficulty she produced from beneath her corsets a bulging envelope, from which she drew a for- I midabJe packet of French bank notes. Having j taken off the elastic band, she placed them upon j the table, remarking-- | This 1 imeit is not quite so much—only sixty- J eight thousand three hundred francs. j Schultz counted the notes quickly, with the J air of a man whose habit was to deal with large sums. Then bb handed them to me. asking how much I made of them. I counted, aud found the sum she had named, I whereupon the old woman handed him over 11.: receipt, which he signed, and to which I added my name as witness. J And now, Madame tell me the position o»~ i affairs," Schultz asked earnestly, when she had I safely deposited the receipt within her corsets j and re-buttoned her bodice. j "Unsafe." she answered. "They are still: searching for you everywhere. The police of every capital in Europe are still active. I had to exercise all sorts of ruses to avoid any chance I of being followed here." I thought that in time I should be for- gotten," my friend remarked with a sigh- Yet ? it seems that I'm doomed to be hunted till the j end of my days. j It is cruel," declared his wife, with tears in her eyes. Poor Carl is homeless and compelled I to travel constantly, while I live here, always in suspense—always fearing the worst." Ah, no, my dear," exclaimed the old woman, tenderly. You must bear up still. Patience— patience. That is the only way in which to baffle them. Remember that you always have a friend in old Madame Delaine." You have always been our best friend," de- clared the unhappy wife. Without you, we might have starved long ago." The old Frenchwoman smiled, displaying an uneven row of yellow stumps. No, no," she pratested. I want no tnank". It is only the repayment of the old debt of long ago." The pair pressed her to stay to supper, but she steadfastly declined. She must return to her hotel, she said, for she was compelled to return to Paris by the nine o'clock train next morning. There were reasons for her return—strong I reasons. It was unnecessary tor her to refer further to them. Tbey would well understand. So after a quarter of an hour she took her leave of us, and wo heard the wheels of her cab recede into the night. At Schultz's invitation I remained to supper, and a delightful meal it was—cold game washed down with a choice vintage. Little Carl had been sent to bed with a paternal kiss upon his brow and half a sovereign in his hand to buy a. new toy therefore we were alone. When the meal was almost over, Schultz, who sat opposite me, said — This is a strange function at which you are assisting, Lewis—stranger than you imagine." In an instant his wife burst into a torrent of tears, and rising from his seat he bent and kissed her, stroking her hair and urging her to be brave for his sake. You know. Annetta, that you are my sole thought. I live only for you. If it were not for you." he said, I should have allowed mv anger to get the better of me long ago—and then-well. the result would be too terrible for us to con- template." Ah, no, don't speak like that, Carl," she urged, suddenly drying her tears. You won't act rashly—promise me, dear." And she laid her soft jewelled hand upon his shabby sleeve. Re- member, we both have enemies—bitter ones." .1 I have not acted indiscreetly up to the pre- sent, although I have had good cause," he an- swered. "I think you may rely upon me controlling my temper now.1' His reply seemed to reaesuie her. and when he had reseated himself at the well-arranged table with its profusion of hot-house flowers and Georgian silver, husband and wife toasted each other, although in their words there was a tinge of bitterness that was exceedingly puzzling. The clock out in the hall chimed two upon its silver bells, and Schultz rose, declaring that it was time he departed, He had ordered a cab, he said, and it was at the door. Then again his wife burst into tears and, flinging her arms wildly around his neck, clung to him, kissing him fondly again and again. Not caring to witness the parting between the strange pair, I bade her adieu, and, crossing to the drawing-room, awaited him there. Truly my night's adventure was a curious one. I must have waited a full hour. for the leave-taking was a long and painful one. Schultz had' remarked that it might be several years before he met his wife again. At rla.st, however, he reappeared, much agitated and hurried me out, saying in a hoarse voice, full of emotion— Let us be gone, Lewis. I can't remain here longer and see my poor wife's grief." Together we went out into the rainy night, but the cab he had ordered was not awaiting for us, therefore we hurried across the square in the direction of the Edgware-road, where he would probably find a conveyance upon the stand. We had not gone far before we saw in front of us the dark figure of a man idling upon the curb close to one of the street lamps, and as we passed the fellow turned and eyed us suspiciously. Schultz started quickly as his eyes met those of the stranger,and an imprecation involuntarily escaped his lips. The man, who wore a low fel t hat, and had the collar of his overcoat turned up against the weather, was a satlow-faeed fellow with a pointed black moustache. He glanced at me, and I thought he frowned. You know that man ?" I suggested, after we had passed. Know him," my friend echoed bitterly. Yea, I know him, far too well," then he added from between his teeth, That man is the cause of my unhappiness in life, and now he has discovered my secret, and the secret of Annetta's whereabouts. He has, no doubt, been watching us to-night, and he means mischief. But, by heaven, I'll be quits with him. He shall never injure her." His hands clenched, and I saw tbat he was driven to desperation. We found a cab, and he made me descend at his hotel, tbe Cosmopolitan, in the Strand. The bar there was open all night, he said, and he had something yet to tell me. So he ordered a stiff brandy for himself, and a whisky and soda for me. and then we sat down in one of the distant nooks. For some time he re- mained silent, bis grave eyes fixed upon me, as though he hesitated whether to confide in me. At last he bent towards me, and in a low voice said- We've known each other a long time now, Lewis, and I am wondering if you would be willing to do me a favour, in caBe—well, in case 1 died ?" "You don't anticipate death, do you 1" I asked, surprised. Well," he smiled, no one anticipates it, yet it most come sooner or later. But will you do me the favour ? You are the only friend I have whom I could trust." If it be within my power I shall be most happy to carry out any wish you may express. Do von desire me to be your executor ?" No. The task is much easier," he answered. Then, bending down towards me confidentially, he added, It is only, in the event of my death, to first obtain ao official certificate of my decease and take it, together with a sealed packet of papers which I shall give you, to an address in Vienna. It will be necessary to present them, and to make a statement of what occurred to- night. They will probably require it on oath." Well," I laughed, although surprised at his earnestness, of course I'll carry out your in- stiuctions if you give me the address. Only I hope yoa H be spared a good many years." ( He sighed. Üi/ll btom bait, aod he moved uneasily. I Yes," he murmured, I hope so, too. But i one never knows. Come with me up to my room and I'll give the packet into vour care. Remember, never :.)]ow it to leave your hands. If you go travelling, leave it with your bankers. When I die. whexever that may be, you will re- ceive first notice of it at your club. I have the address that you gave me when we first met." I wont up in the lift with him, and in his room he unlocked a heavy steel despatch-box and took out a. big linen-lined envelope sealed with three black seals bearing a noble coat of arms. Upon the envelope he had written the name, '■ Herr William beherb," with the address in Vienna. This," be said, as he placed it in my hand, I entruat to you because I know you are my friend. You will carry out n;y instructions to the letter. Promise me." I promise," I said, grasping his white hand as pledge. What I have witnessed to-night shows me that you are a hunted man, and you have all my sympathies." He thanked me. and then we descended the stairs to the ball, where, after some further conversation, I wished him good-night, promis ing to call again at three o'clock next afternoon. He shook his head, saying that possibly he might leave the hotel, and hoped tbat I would not be disappointed if I called and found him gone. Then I took a cab back to the First Avenue, full of grave reflections. Schultz was a complete mystery. Next day, when at three o'clock I called at the Cosmopolitan and asked for my friend, the reception-clerk eyed me curiously and invited me to step JOto the manager's room a moment. Is Mr Schultz a friend of yours ?" inquired the director, a little, bald-headed foreigner. He is." Then I much regret to tell you, sir, that he was found in his room at noon to day dead." Dead," I gasped. Yes," the man said. There has been a tragedy. In the room with him was a friend who had called, and been shown up an hour be- fore—a tall dark gentleman. They had evidently quatrelled, for botli were lying dead toe visitor shot through the heart and Mr Schultz through the head. The police believe it to be a case of murder and suicide on the part of your friend." Thojannouncement staggered cue but judge my surprise when a detective took me to tha room and I there recognised Schultz's visitor to be the sallow-faced lurker of the previous night. My friend had paid the mysterious debt, and closed the mouth of the spy for ever. To the police I gave no information regarding the packet in my keeping, merely making a statement that I had been in his company on the previous evening. The despatch-box stood open, and the theory was that the stranger had tried to snatch something while Schultz ha\i been searching in the box. I was present when the police went through the contents, but we found nothing of any particular note save two photo- graphs of tbe dead stranger, one of which I induced the polite to lend me,promiaing to assist them in establishing the man's identity. I waited until the coroner's verdict had been given, then I obtained a copy of the death cer- tificate at the office of the registrar of the Strand district, and one night started from Charing Cross for Vienna to carry out my promi3e. Schultz had evidently anticipated a visit from his enemy, but the reason of the tragedy was a complete mystery. Once jThad contemplated calling on my dead friend's widow to break the news to her, bat only then it occurred to me that I did not know her address, and had not the slightest idea in which of the many squares the house was situated, or under what name she lived "evidently not Schultz. So I rocked and rolled in the sleeping-car be- tween Ostend and Vienna, but nothing that I dreamed was half so extraordinary as the facts I learned in the Austrian capital. Herr Scherb proved to be one of the chief advocates, and when I handed him the letter in his office and he recognised the seals, he stared, looked across at me suspiciously, and his face blanched. He opened the envelope with trembling nngers, drew forth several documents, and eagerly read a letter which was enclosed. I saw that what was written there held him absolutely breath- less in surprise. I have this to deliver to you also," r said, handing him the certificate of death. He glanced at it, and cried in dismay Tnen he is dead—actually dead ?" Yes, my poor friend is unfortunately no more. He charged me, before his death, to give the envelope into your keeping. The lawyer was silent for a long time, glanc ing over the documents. Then he asked me if I would mind calling upon him again at four o'clock, and further, he made a most curious request that I would wear black or dark clothes, I agreed, and. punctually at four I presented myself again at his office in a dark grey suit that was almost black He welcomed me, glanced at hi? watch, and informed me that his carriage was awaiting us. The reason why I asked vou to come in black is because the Court is in mourning for the lamented Empress. We are going to the Palace to have audience with the Emperor." With the Emperor," I gasped. Yes, he wishes to question you," the lawyer responded as we entered the conveyance to- gether. "It is a serious matter—very serious. His Majesty wishes to heat: the statement from your own lips." The affair was growing < more extraordinary every moment, but to all my inquiries Herr Scherb remained dumb. At last we drove into the courtyard of the palace, alighted, passed the sentries and detec- tives, and being met by one of the Imperial foot- men in brilliant blue and gold livery, were ushered up a broad flight of steps among many, echoing corridors of marble until we were shown into a room, before the door of which stood a sentry, who drew up at attention as we entered. It was very plainly furnished with several maps and plans upon the walls, a huge writing-table Jittered with correspondence, and two or three hard chairs-the workroom of a busy monarch, Scarcely had we seated ourselves when the door re-opened, and the servant announced in a loud voice His Majesty the Emperor." The {entry's rifle clanged outside, and we sprang to our feet and bowed to the royal presence. The Emperor, who was in uniform, having just held a reception of the diplomatic body, sank into his chair, and then, motioning us to be seated, turned to the lawyer and said,— So this is the Englishman, Mr Lewis ?" He is, your Majesty." Then the Emperor, turning to me, said,— First, I have to thank you, sir, for undertak- ing the mission entrusted to you by—by the dead man." He spoke unevenly, as though un- served. Now, will you please tell me the whole circumstances of your acquaintance with him, and the manner in which he died. Tell me everything. I am in no hurry." I recollected my friend's injunction to tell all I knew therefore, I described our intimacy from its very beginning, told him of our meeting in London, the strange events at his wife's house, the subsequent encounter at the corner of the square, and the tragic denouement. I have a photograph of the man who was his enemy," I added, drawing the portrait from my pocket. The Emperor started up and almost snatched it from my hand in his anxiety. He glanced at it and, recognising the face, hurled it angrily upon the floor without a word. And his wife—what does he call her ? Annetta—would you recognise her if you saw her pieture?"asked his Majesty after a brief silence. I responded in tbe affirmative, whereupon the Emperor led me to a magnificent room further down the corridor, where I saw hanging upon the wall a full-length portrait in oils of the woman who had been my hostess in the London square. The red and white ribbon was shown across her bodice, and I now saw that it was the ribbon of some Imperial order, It is the lady," I said, without a doubt." Again-the Emperor was silent, until of a sud- den he turned to me again and repeated his thanks, adding— You expressed to me regret that you do not know the address of the Princess. Leave that matter to me. I shall discover it through m* Em- bassy in London, and she will return home here again. All I would ask you, Mr Lewis, is that you will regard this matter as entirely confidential. Scherb will explain to yon the identity of the man who was your friend, for no doubt this inter- view must be puzzling to you. Only I would beg of you to let it remain a. secret from your Lon- don police." I will obey your Majesty's desire in every particular," I answered After which he bowed as signal that my audience was at an end. While I sat beside Scherb on our drive back to his office. he explained to me that the man whom I had known as Schultz was none other than the long-missing Archduke Johann Of Austria, nephew of the Emperor, and heir to the Austrian throne. The disappearance, he told me, was the strangest story in the strange annals of the Aus. trian Court. All that was known about him was that, having quatrelled with Count von Praag, son of the Minister of Finance, and a man of very evil reputation, be had some brief words .with the Emperor, and left VienDa one night ten years before. He had never since been heard of, although repeated searches had been made by order of the Austrian Emperor and the Hungarian Government. Half the police in Europe and America had been em- ployed, but unsuccessfully. Two years after the Archduke's disappearance the Princess Eliza- beth—one of the most beautiful girls of the un- happy House of Hapsburg—married von Praag, but after a few months the Count was forced to leave Vienna in disgrace, and tbd marriage was declared void. Then, a short time afterwards, a third sensation occurred, when It became known that the Princess herself had disappeared, and from that moment until I had walked into the lawyer s office nothing had been heard of her. The facts, however, were now beyond dispute. The Archduke, whom I had known aa Schultz, had been deeply in love with the Princess from early days, but found a rival in von Praag. The Emperor favoured the suit of the latter for political reasons, and would hear no word against the Count's character. This enraged the Archduke, who openly insulted von Praag and challenged him. Whereupon the Emperor for- bade his nephew to fight, and the latter took himself off and disappeared into space. Even- tually when the Princess, forced by her parents to marry von Praag, at last got free of him, she joined the Archduke in London, and they were secretly married. All the time, however, they feared the re-appearance of their persecutor, von Praag, who had now fallen to be a common adventurer, and it was the sudden encounter at the corner of the square which bad caused the Archduke to decide upon sacrificing himself to preserve his wife's peace and honour. Madame Delaine, it appeared, was the Archduke's old French governess, and used to draw the income left him by his father and convey it secretly to London every six mouths. It was in order that I should be in a position to verify the truth tbat I had been called in aa witness. Vou Praag had no doubt followed us that night to the Coamonolitao, and had next day called nnno my friend. Then either an altercation taken place or they had struggled for the p^* session of some document, when the Archdo* had shot him dead—it may have been in se' defence-and then committed suicide. The widowed Princess Elizabeth bas now re- turned to Vienna, and with little Carl hJJ* apartments in one of the Imperial palaces. has written to me more often, and has ask'" me to call upon her next time I go to Austria. Poor Schultz He was the best of good lows. A trifle pessimistic, perhaps, but a table prince among men. I think of him al".r- when 1 glance at the handsome photograph II its plain silver frame with the Imperial in gold— a photograph the Emperor sent me himself, with the words written in a bold ban" across it— To Charles Lewis, from Francis Joseph. It is the only souveuir I have of my friendship with Schultz, or, as I used to 0"- him, The Rolling Stone,"

STOLE A PURSE AND £ 21». Girl's Extraordinary Letter. At Pontypool on Saturday Charlotte Cook. awrt of 13, appeared on remand in regard to stealioj a purse containing JE21 belonging to 1W»; Crewe, a collier. of Victoria Village. Crewe 8 wife kesps a small shop, and defendant is sop* posed to have taken the parse when she came &0 the shop one day last week. The police, finding the girl had been making somewhat extensife purchases, questioned her, and eventually aftet her confession recovered £8. The following extra. ordinary letter wiitten by the defendant to accompany the goods she had purchased to bet parents was produced :— Dear Lizzie and Richard,—1 just write thelf few lines to yon to let you know who the are for. The coat and hat ia for the baby the other coat is for the other little girl.The hat and jacket is for Charlotte, and a pair of boots for each of the children I don't know the otber names. I am now able to pay the kindness tbloi you and Richard did for me when tof husband died. I am now keeping large business in Griffithstown. My name IS Sarah Lewia my marriage name is Mrs Jones- I don't wish you to take notice of writing, as It is done in a hurry. I have sent the clothes iØ guess of my own children. I will give a call up some day when it is shut up.' That's all I have to say at present. Hoping you will be thank" ful of the clothes, with kisses." Prisoner, who seemed to feel her position keenly, was bound over under tbe First OffeB" ders Act to come up for jndgment when called upon.

LOSS OF A MILFORD TRAWLER. Mate's Certificate Suspended. At the Board of Trade inquiry held at Milforf Haven into the Joss of the steam Lrawlet Anglesey, on the Irish coast near Galley Head, the court gave their findings on Saturday- Colonel Roberts read the findings of the court. It was found that the skipper did not ascertain the deviation of his comnasses by observa- tion from time to time. No measures whatever «»sre taken in order to ascertain and verify the position of the vessel on or about 5 p.m. on the 23rd September last. No measures were taken by the skipper at any time to ascertain whether the course set and steered was a safe and proper one. The instructions left by the skipper before going below were not sufficient. When setting the course he must have known that if the course was continued it would take him directlv on to the land. The coart were therefore of opinion that he ought to ha"o given definite instructions to be called not later than 4 a.m. The second hand did not even carry out the meagre instructions given him by the skipper, thereby failing in his duty as an officer in charge of the vassel. A good and proper look- out was not kept. The casualty was caused by careless and negligent navigation. The loss of the Anglesey was caused by the wiongful acts and default of the skipper and second band, and the court found the skipper (Mr A. W. Barrett) and second hand (Mr Thomas Charles Jobson) both in default. The court in the circumstances did not deal with the skipper's certificate, but severely censured him accordingly. With regard to the second band the court smspended his cer- tificate for nine months. The exoeaseB of the third hand (William Collie) were disallowed for his serious neglect of duty while on watch.

QUARRELLED OVER SWEETS. Cardiff Boy's Sad Death. On Saturday an inquest was held at the Town Hall, Cardiff (before Mr Reece, coroner) on the body of a boy six years of age named George Henry Miller, son of a labourer in Daniel-street. The father said that on Saturday lust the boy complained of pains in his leg, and said he had been kicked. On Sunday Dr. Roberts was called in. as was also Dr. Williams, the parish doctor, subsequently, and the latter ordered the boy's removal to the Infirmary. He was informed by the lad's little sister taat another boy named George Herbert had kicked him whilst they were playing. Elizabeth Miller (11), sister of the deceased, said that on the- 16th Inst, she saw a number of boys, including dece&sed, playing ia the street, When a dispute occurred over the possession of some sweets, aad the bov Herbert kicked Miller, who went home crying. Dr. Brownlee said the boy was brought to the Infirmary about 11 o'clock on Monday night suffering from acute inflammation of the thigh. A small operation was performed, but pneumonia set in, and death occurred on the 30th inst. The injury to the thigh was the primary cause of death. The boy who was alleged to have given the kick was called. He ia only six years of age. He said the kick was given whilst they were play- ing football but another boy-witness said iba deceased was kicke 1 because he told another boy not to give Herljrt lozenges. The jury reo turned a verdict of Death frou misadventure."

AN EIGHT-WHEELED LOCOMOTIVE. The Great Western Railwav Company, with a view to coping more satisfactorily with heavy freight trains over the severe gradients encountered on certain sections of their main lines, have just introdncetd as an experiment, a powerful eight-wheeled coupled locomotive of the Consolidation type. Although engines of this class are in general working on several rail- roada in Canada and the United States, and the new locomotives now being erected by the North British Locomotive Company, of Glasgow, for the Central South African Railways are also of the Consolidation class, the engine for the Great Western line is the first of this type introduced into Great Britain. The Great Western enginft has cylinders 18in. in diameter by 30in stroke- The coupled wheels have a diameter of 4ft. 7 £ in- The boiler, the centre liue of which is placed DO less than 7ft. 5Ain. above rail level, has a length of 14ft. 10|in., and a diameter of 5ft. 6in. TilL boiler pressure is 2001b. per square inch. Ie. working order the engine weighs 68 tons 6 cwt.. whilst the tender, which has a carry ing capacity of 4,000 gallons of wateii weighs an additional 43 tons 3 cwt- so that engine and .tender in full working ordei have a total weight of no less than 111 tons 8 ewt)

DEATH OF COUNTESS SPENCER. We regret to announce that Lady Spencer diel at 1 p.m. on Saturday. The Countess, who baO been ill for some time past, was married to tb<< veteran Liberal Earl in 1858. She was born i( the same year as her husband, and was 68 year4 of age. She was a daughter of Frederick Wilham Seymour, and a granddaughter of tb* first Marquess cf Bristol. Her Ladyship held th6 Order of Victoria. and Albert. The news of tbe death of the Countess was immediately tele* graphed to the King and Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and Princess Christian. EarJ Spencer received messages of condolence fron* their Majesties, the Prince and Princess Oj Wales, Princess Christian, and other members ot the Royal family. The funeral of Lady Speooet will take place at Great Brington Church) Northamptonshire, on Thursday, at 2.30 p.m. It is requested that those who desire to attend service will communicate at once with Spencer's secretary, Spencer House, St. James square, London, i>> ord«r that arrangements aw be made for conveying them to Althorp and t»« church. A memoral psrvice will be held at ta; same time in the Caapel Royal, St. James Palace, by special permission of the King.

A VIOLENT PEDLAR AT BRYN MAWR. At Brynmawr Police Court on Saturdjtf Francia Francis, described as a tramping was charged with being drunk and disorder' and also with assaulting P.C. Baillie whils6' the execution of his duty the previous evening It was stated tbat whiht a special Court sitting prisoner entered the Courtroom and to be ejected beemse of his language. 0 a stone at the officer, and had to be dragged 111;16 the station. He kicked and hit Constat Baillie. and continued his unruly behaviour the cell, to the interruption of the Court ceedings. The Chairman (Alderman Roberts) said there was a very bad list a#*1! defendant, who would be fined 10s and costs being drunk and disorderly, or 14 days 400 wests for assaulting the policeman, orone olOO*

DISTURBING DIVINE SERVICE. Pontardulais Men Fined, v At Swansea (County) Police Court on day George Davie3, collier, and Williams, tinworker, of Pontardulais, 3h:0ei moned for disorderly conduct and dii^tflro i Divine service at St. Michael's Church. German said that while he was in church out. f door was violently pushed open. He wea .ttod side and found the two defendants, who they had pushed against the dcor. denied the offence, and said they ran Quecr because they were frightened when the pO jlU' man went after them. Fines of IDs wefO posed. r,

MR KEIR HARDIE'S CONDITIO^ red MrKeir Hardie, M.P.,has now so far that his medical attendants have given for him to see friends next week Of c d,.i11 Mrs Keir Hardie has seen her husband j| since the operation was performed upon hi -je will be some time yet before be will leave the hospital. of tb* On Saturday evening the members 11 I Merthyr Boroughs Labour Representatic^ cil met at the Bute Arms, Aberdare y I vote of sympathy with Mr J. in his illnesa