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

drawing his sword II am here to 90 my
duty The Kings commands shall be
obeyed, even If I have to USE
But before be could complete the SEN
tence his sword was wrested from his
hand and he was hurled aside with con-
siderable violence by one of the officers
of the Princes suite The next mo-
mcnt the Prince himself had flung open
the door and entered the audience-cham
Der The others followed in silent pro
cossion
Their entry had an extraordinary eff
feet. The room was occupied by three
persons, one of whom was reclining in q
spacious easy-chair drawn up at the side
Of the Writing-table, and the other two
were standing engaged in an animated
discussion on the opposite side Of the
table One OF these two, a somewhat
gaunt figure with jet black eyes and
hair, and a sinister, ever-changing ex-
preston Of countenance was Count Sas-
trowitch the Balkanian, Prime Minister;
the other was Ambassador ut the Court
of Bahama, Prince Soratoff
The Prime Minister'S face, when the
Prince Regent and his companions ap-
peared upon the threshold, assumed an
expression in which fury and consterna-
ton were equally blended. 1t was evil
dent that the suddenness Of this intrusion
had taken him completely aback, and for
the moment deprived him of utterance
The Russian Plenipotentiary. Prince
Soratof, appeared scarcely to realize
what was passing, and glanced alternate
ly ut the Minister and at the group OF
newcomers, with an air of utter bewild-
erment As for his Majesty Of Bahama,
the pale and somewhat bent figure re-
clining in the armchair it would be diff
cult to say what the emotions were that
depicted themselves in his countenance.
Predominant, however, among others
was an air Of total helplessness, express
ed most speakingly in an appealing glance
which he cast upon Count Sastrowitch,
as il to invoke the aid Of his strong will
All these particulars the Prince Re
gent took in at a glance, as he advanced
resolutely into the middle Of the room.
MY brother" he began, in firm but
respectful voice, "if / have been com
PEELED to intrude thus unceremoniously
upon your privacy the fault is not mine,
and, moreover, the circumstances which
bring me here will, | feel assured, ex-
Onerate me from amp blame in your Ma
jesty's eyes. TO be brief" he went on in
a sterner tone, and pointing to Count
Sastrowitch Il stand here as the accus-
ed of yonder insolent schemer This
man in whom your Majesty has so
blindly confded, has bartercd his coun-
try's interests and his soyereign's for a
sum Of gold. have it OH unimpeachable
evidence. These papers, which I beseech
your Majesty -"
But he got no further With a quick
movement, Count Sastrowitch, stepping
forward, wrenched the bundle of papers
the Prince held out towards the King
from his hands, and facing him with a
fierce, vindictive look, exclaimed
"Do YOU think his Majesty has time
to amuse himself by examining these inn
pudent forgeries? This device to foil me
and thwart the work Of sober states
manship is we'll conceived indeed, but its
cunning is too paIpable. Moreover" he
continued, and here a note Of malicious
triumph sounded in his voice, "the arti-
fee comes too late, Prince Grogor Alex
ander The treaty is already signed.
Behold the counterpart IN the hands Of
his Excellency the Ambassador Of Rus
STA"