Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-03-17

suspended lamp, was not calculated to add
anytnlng IKE cheerfulness to the scene. But
these things, for he was led towards the Iaroe
0aken chair In which the king sat, who ad-
dressed him without much hesitation
80, my fine master Fabian, you have had
quite an adventure ~ This was spoken in a
sarcastic tone, and with the teeth closed. Our
hero looked up:
"My lord,'' he said, using the form of ad.
oIess "nlch was common among the gipses
when addressing their ruler, ''if you have any
accusation to make, will you make it at once,
Tor would know whereof am accused"
Thou shalt hear right quickly" replied
Mohammed; and as he spoke he cast his eyes
over the room, as though he would assure him
self that all present might be trusted. Gonde-
bald stood at his right hand; while farther
away, behind the prisoner were the three men
who had conducted the latter from his tent
They were Saul, Jasper, and Anselmo-three
hardened wretches, who were bound to the
will Of their master, as though they had been
mere machines Of torture in his hands "List.
en-, the king proceeded, 'sand answer me
want, Gower?"
s. did shoot him; but twas in self-defence ~
"Beware, sir Don't add falsehood to your
other crimes Let Trogus be called"
In few moments the wounded gipsy was
brought in. He seemed to be in great pain,
but he bore himself as bravely as possible be.
fore the king. Once he looked towards the
prisoner; but it was only a furtive glance, and
was not repeated.
"Trogus," spoke Mohammed, "you have
been called to give us your evidence touching
this youths doing tonight. Let US hear your
they are.''
When our hero saw how Trogus avoided his
gaze, and how he trembled, he knew that the
forthcoming story had been already arranged.
MY lord, D." commenced the wounded villain,
you know you sent Cover and myself to con-
duct Fabian to AtherstOne. We started. as YOU
directed. When we reached the stream near
the edge of the forest, we found that we had lost
our way, and while Cover went forward to look
out for fording- place, Fabian and myself sat
down upon the rock. In little while Cover
came back, and as he was about to tell us what
he had discovered, master Fabian jumped up
and shot him with pistol which he had drawn
from his bosom. L hurried forward as quickly
rs possible to help my companion: but the
Joung man IN had another pistol, which he fred
at me The ball lodged in my shoulder. He
would have killed me if he could
w hat have you to say to this?" demanded
Mohammed
AT first the youth did not know what to saw
lie had expected something of this kind, and
yet the cool falsehoOd of Trogus for a moment
confounded him He tried to catch the Villains
eye, but without effect
MY lord" he finally said, addressing the
king, "this man hath spoken most falsely. 1
did shoot Cover, but not until he had tried to
kill me; and when 1 fired at this fellow, it was
to escape his poniard''
"A very pretty story" returned Mohammed,
with coarse chuckle. "Such stories are very
easily manufactured by those who have done
great Grimes Then turning to Gondebald, he
continued, ,-'Good captain, you have heard all.
what ought we to dO?''
"Why," replied the man thus addressed, as
though he were rejecting seriously, II can see
but one course to pursue. The murderer must
be secured until you can give him such trial as
our customs demand"
"YOu are right, captain" And then turning
to the three men who stood in waiting, he
added
Here, sirs,-take this fellow, and lock him
up. Let him be as comfortable as you can but
first see that he is secure"
Our hero felt that further expostulation would
be useless, so he followed Saul from the apart
ment, Jasper and Anselmo inging up the rear
In the narrow hall the guide lighted torch and
then proceeded to the rear of the building, and
thence down into the cellar This cellar seemed
to be nearly as broad in extent as was the sur.
face covered by the main part of the building;
but Saul pushed on to a far corner, where he
found door, upon opening which low, vault
ed passage wac discovered. Into this the pris-
oner was led, and presently another door was
reached, which opened with creaking sound,
and beyond which appeared tomb-like dun
geon, with solid stone walls and an arched
ceiling, into which the youth was thrust, and
the door shut upon him.
What next to expect Fabian was hardly pre-
pared to guess, though he feared it would be
some evil thing.
In the meantime the Gipsy King and his cap
tain held an earnest consultation, during which
they exhibited much malice and rage, but did
not seem able to hit upon any satisfactory
course of action.
"What shalt we do?" cried Mohammed, start
ing up, and walking across the floor "Gonde-
bald, he continued, as he came back "do you
know that the country is already becoming hot
about us!-that the officers Of the law have a
sharp eye upon us!''
'Yes, my lord-I am aware of that"
And you know that they are liable at any
time, to come down upon u.s."
Eyes"
''Then it is clear enough that we must not
have any dissension in our own camp at present
Were it not for that, this trial should come off
this very morning, and the fellow should be
hanged before night. But I dare not do it now.
ButImy captain-your countenanco looks
bright. What new thought is it?''
Gondebald bent his head moment, with his
finger pressed upon his brow, and then he ap-
preached his chief. What he had to saw he
dared not speak aloud, even in that place; 50
ne whispered 1t into the kings ear. MOhammed
started as he caught the idea, and convulsively
grasping his willy counsellor by tho hand, he
exclaimed:
"Good Gondebald, it shall be done.-It shall
be done."
Near the middle of the forenoon-an hour af
ter the conference between Mohammed and his
captain-Electra sat alone in her tent. She had
heard some strange rumors concerning the ad-
venture Of her lover, but as yet she had not ar
rived at the truth. The weight of suspense was
agonizing, and she resolved to seek old Diope,
in hopes that she might there gain further
light She had risen, and was about to draw
her light mantle over her head, when her
movements were interrupted by the entrance
Of Gondebald.
sit down, Electra, sit down." her father
said. He took a seat as he spoke, and when
she had done the same, he continued {: "I have
something to say to you. I think you have
heard some news Is it not so ?''
Il have heard vague rumors," she replied.
"And I'll wager a golden crown that you
were about to 60 out after information. You
were going to seek old Dione, were you not?"
"Yes, Electra replied; but she looked down
as she spoke, for her fathers gaze was fixed
upon her 50 keenly that she could not meet it.
Electra, listen to men He spoke quickly