A Royal Prisoner Part 46

"The 322 is the Cologne express, isn't it?" inquired M. Caldoni.

"Yes, the Cologne express."

In the meantime a vast crowd of the curious who had learned of the departure of the King by the evening papers, filled the waiting-rooms and platforms. Journalists were grouped apart and the invited guests included numerous persons of quality. Among them was Baron Weil, member of the Council of Administration, and delegated to represent it at the ceremony of departure. Lieutenant Colonel Bonnival was also there to represent the State. At the station entrance, M. Havard stood alone, waiting the arrival of the automobile which contained M. Annion, in attendance upon the King.

Making his way noiselessly in and out of the crowd, Juve gradually drew near the front ranks and reached the cordon of special officers whose duty it was to bar the way to the platform of departure. Here Juve ran into Michel, and the two men silently shook hands. Juve was about to show his card, but Michel smiled:

"No need for you to show it, Juve."

The detective now mingled with the guests, and as he reached the reception-room he moved behind a lady who had just arrived. Waiting a favorable opportunity he approached her:

"Pardon me," he began in a dry voice, "one moment, please."

The lady turned sharply:

"Monsieur, who are you? What do you want?"

"I am Juve, of the Secret Service."

"And I am the Grand d.u.c.h.ess Alexandra, relative of the King of Hesse-Weimar."

"No, you are Lady Beltham. I recognize you and it will be no use to deny it."

The adventuress started panting, in her eyes a look of fear.

"Ah," she stammered.

"I've got you, Lady Beltham. The time to pay has come. You are under arrest." Then in a whisper he added, "Where is the diamond?"

There was a silence. Lady Beltham lowered her eyes.

"Better tell me, and avoid the scandal."

"Don't make a scandal, I implore you. I have the diamond with me."

At this moment the King of Hesse-Weimar entered the reception-room accompanied by his friend, the Marquis de Serac.

Juve could not repress a start. The daring of Fantomas was beyond belief. But his first duty was to recover the diamond. Leaning toward his prisoner, he whispered:

"Hand over the diamond immediately."

The adventuress gave him a strange and mysterious look.

"Monsieur, slip your hand into my sleeve."

Juve obeyed. His fingers instantly closed around the precious jewel which he identified at once by the feel.

"Monsieur, I came here for the express purpose of returning it, please believe me."

At this moment Juve met the eyes of M. Annion, and he realized that the time had come to report to his chief. The detective had three plain clothes men at his elbow; he now turned to them and with a gesture gave the care of Lady Beltham into their keeping. Juve then advanced through the crowded room toward M. Annion and the King. The latter watched him closely and whispered to M. Vicart:

"This time we mustn't hesitate."

In a moment Juve felt his arms seized and pinioned, and then before he could recover from his amazement, he was hustled off into a private room.

"Search him!"

Immediately one of his guards s.n.a.t.c.hed the diamond from his waistcoat pocket. Juve looked up and in the doorway stood the absurd Wulf and by his side the Marquis de Serac.

"Fantomas," he cried, "Fantomas!... arrest him!" Then in a sudden access of rage:

"Let me go, you idiots! M. Annion, what does this mean? Fantomas stands before you! We've got him, and Lady Beltham, too!"

M. Annion paid no attention to his outburst, but calmly turned to another man who had appeared on the scene.

"Monsieur Heberlauf, do you recognize this man?"

M. Heberlauf, who never could make a decision, hesitated:

"It seems to me ... I don't know ... I think I do. Madame Heberlauf can tell you better than I can."

Madame Heberlauf now stepped forward and in a flood of words, explained to M. Annion that she had no doubt in the matter.

"By a most infernal device, Monsieur, this criminal escaped from his prison, and not content with that, he killed an unfortunate servant, an old porter whom our police discovered the following day in the mortuary chapel of Glotzbourg."

Instinctly Juve was about to protest but M. Annion held up a hand.

"Silence. You will explain at the trial." Then turning to the Marquis de Serac, he handed the diamond to him.

"We are very glad to be able to return this precious jewel to his Majesty Frederick-Christian II, and I place it in your hands, Marquis, in presence of Monsieur Wulf and Monsieur Heberlauf."

A yell from Juve interrupted him:

"G.o.d Almighty! the Marquis de Serac is Fantomas!... Fantomas, the a.s.sa.s.sin of Susy d'Orsel!"

M. Havard came forward:

"It's no use, Juve, keep quiet. We know all you would say. But I may tell you that in every place where Fantomas left his trace we have found undeniable evidences of your presence."

When M. Havard p.r.o.nounced the name Fantomas, a young girl sprang forward. It was Marie Pascal.

"Monsieur," she cried, "Fantomas is arrested! Fantomas, the monster who nearly killed me two hours ago!"