15 AUGUST 1903, Page 24

in South-Eastern Europe, and the kidnapping of a neighbouring

Prince, or rather his restoration to his country, is the motive of the story. The wicked Count who gives his name to the book is quickly discovered by the reader to be the kidnapper, and the interest lies in the efforts of the hero and his friend to effect a rescue. Count Zarka actually confines his prisoner in a mask, made apparently on the pattern of the celebrated Iron Mask, and the rescuers, if not the reader, have the excitement of wondering whether they are directing their talents to freeing the right man. The mice-en-seen of the book—the picture of wild life in the forest—is attractive, and the whole story has a very fairly romantic flavour.