One is a
prisoner in Austria, the other is at liberty somewhere in--in the
world. The Teutonic Allies are now in possession of my country. It has
been ravished and despoiled."
"So far Sprouse's story jibes," said he, as she paused.
"My countrymen conceived the notion that Germany would one day conquer
France and over-run England. It was this notion that urged them to put
the treasure beyond all possible chance of its being seized by the
conquerors and turned over to the usurping prince who would be placed
on our throne.
"As for my part in this unhappy project, it is quite simple. I was not
the only one to be deceived by plotters who far outstripped the
original conspirators in cleverness and guile. The man you know as
Loeb is in reality my cousin. I have known him all my life. He is the
youngest brother of the pretender to the throne, and a cousin of the
prince who is held prisoner by the Austrians. This prince has a
brother also, and it was to him that I was supposed to deliver the
jewels. He came to Canada a month ago, sent by the embassy in Paris. I
travelled from New York, but not alone as you may suspect. I was
carefully protected from the time I left my hotel there until--well,
until I arrived in Boston.
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