The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-11-29

fearful document for his IIighness' in
spccton with bow and sardonic smile.
we are too late Them thc Prince
murmured at last in paircd voice THE
yillany has succeeded"
"Cnlcss your Highncss,' Sasrowitch
said jeeringly. 'to crown the audacity
Of your newly assumed role, chooses to
lay violent hands upon the sacred pcrs0..
of Russia's envoy, and remedy by force
what your wit has failed to prevent"
Enough" the King murmured, ris-
ing freely in his chair, and casting an
other half-appealing glance at the Minis
ter, as If he sought inspiration and On
courag cement from him. Il have heard too
much. Your Highness shall answer for
this insolent contempt OF my royal au-
thority Am | to be the mere plaything Of
those who oppose me? Begone, Sir; leave
my presence! Count Sastrowitch, you
know my will. Rid me OF these intru-
ders."
He sank back again into his chair, pale
and trembling, more like n man in dire
extremity, who has braced himself for
a moment to utter words Of dfance in
spircd by anotber's mind, then a mon
arch issuing his own commands.
J.
eyes off him since he entered, and his
steady, unremitting gaze had peculiar
effect upon it's object. The King did not
return it, nor even apparently show any
consciousness that it was directed upon
him But ever and anon a shiver, as-of
some inner apprehension, would pass
over him, and he would move uneasily in
his chair and glance in his helpless, de-
pendent way across at Count Sastro-
witch.
The latter, Interpreting the movement
in his own fashion, strobe with a CLEAN OF
fierce determination in his eyes towards
the door leading to the ante-room by
which the Prince and his attendants had
entered.
If the Kings orders fan upon heed
less ears" he said as he passed the
Prince, there are those here who will
see them executed After all, if the die
falls sooner than intended, it is your
Highness' fault, not mine"
A malicious smile hung upon his lips
as he uttered these words. But his in
tcntions, whatever they were, were not
destined to be fulfilled. Before he reach
cd the door he was intercepted by one Of
The officers OF the Princes suite, who
with his hand upon his sword-belt, ready
to draw, opposed his further progress.
mo one leaves this room unless his
Highuess permits it., he said determin-
eddy.
Count Sastrowitch fell back amazed.
''Whatr ne eclaimed Has it come
to this? Violence to the Kings Majesty!
This is treason-open rebellion
stay" the Prince interpOsed, address
ing his jealous companion.
He bowed low to the King and turn
ed to those who accompanied him.
Follow me- gentlemen, he said. You
have heard his Majesty's commands. 1t
is fer us to obey them. Nay; / have said
it. Sir John he added with little
flush of impotence, seeing that the old
diplomat alone made no signs of moving
is useless Your assurance
has for once deceived you. No mortal
man has the power to undo what is done"
While he spoke, a look of intenly
anxious expectation settled upon the face
Of Count Sastrowitch, and his eyes hung
almost hungrily upon Sir Johns answer.
1t came slowly and deliberately.
Your Highness will remember the
condition under which l came here" Sir
John said, without altering his position,
or removing his eyes from the one object
on which they had so long ueen riveted.
Il pledged my word that | would with
draw from the Kings presence at the
Kings orders alone. Let his Majesty
with his own lips command me to re-
tire, and l viii go not otherwise.
"Presumptuous man" the Prince Min
ister exclaimed hoarsely. THE Kings
commands have been conveyed through
my mouth What more is needed"
His sentence was suddenly cut short.
With startling abruptness Sir John
Templeton, now for the first time, turned
his head towards the speaker, and flash
ed upon him a gaze so keen and penetrat-
ing that the Count broke off his speech
with an inarticulate st0mmer, as if he
had been struck by blow
The effect was extraordinary, and
thrilled everyone present with vague
sense Of some coming event.
For the space Of several seconds the
two men stood thus facing one another.
Then, turning once more towards the
spot from which he had just removed
his eyes, Sir John raised his right arm
slowly and pointed to the figure in the
easy chair.
You lie. Count Sastrowitch' he said,
speaking in the same quiet, deliberate
manner as before. For you know that
yonder wretched man is not the King Of
Bahama"
TO convey an adequate conception of
the tremendous impression produced by
these words is task beyond the capacity
Of my humble pen Their effect indeed
was indescribable. The Prime Minister,
with eyes distended and bloodless cheeks,
staggered back, clutching convulsively
at the arms of the chair that stood be-
side him, while his lips opened and closed 1
mechanically, as if he were struggling
for speech and could bring forth no
sound.
A moment Of total silence followed
The two Ambassadors gazed, dumb and
open-mouthed, now Mt Sir John, and
now at Count Sastrowitch, whilst the
others stood rooted to the spot-struck
mute, as it seemed, with establishment