The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1896-12-14
A Mystery of the
3 p l. K p N s
Continued from Page Eleven.

some inner apprehension, would pass over
him. and he would move uneasiiy In his
chair and glance in his helpless, dependent
way across at Count Sastrowitch-
The latter, Interpreting the movement
I'm his own fashion, strobe with a CLEAN OF
fierce determination in his eyes toward
the door leading to the ante-room by wilieh
the prince and his attendants had en-
tered.
'If the kings orders fall upon needless
ears" he said as he passed the prince
there are those here who viii see them
executed. After all. if the Gle fails sooner
than Intended. it is your highness' fault'
not mine"
a malicious smile hung upon his lips "a
he uttered these words. But his intentions,
whatever they were, were not destined TO
be fulfilled. Before he reached the door
he was intercepted by one of the officers
of the princes suite. who. with his hand
upon his sword-nilt. ready to draw, opposed
his further progress.
NO one leaves this room unless his
highness permits it," he said determinedly-
Count Sastrowitch fell back amazed.
WHAT he exclaimed. Has it como 70
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 turned 10
those who accompanied him.
Follow me, gentlemen" he said You
have heard his majestys commands. 1t
IS for us to obey them. Nay. I have said
it, Sir John" he added. with a little flush
of impaticnce, seeing that the old diplomat
alone made no signs Of moving from the
spot. "Ycu see that further PERSISTENCE IS
useless. Your assurance has for once de-
ceved you No mortal man has the power
to undo what ia done"
While he spoke a look Of intensely ailX-
ious expectation settled upon Jhc face OF
Count Sastrowitch. and his eyes hung al
most hunErilv upon Sir Johns answer.
1t came slowly and deliberately.
Your EiSnncss will remember tho con-
dition under which / came here" Sir John
said, without altering his position, or re-
moving his eyes from tho one object on
which they had SO long been rlveted. Il
pledged my word that l would withdraw
from the kings presence at the kings or
dors alone. Let his majesty with his own
lips command me to retire. and l will so;
not otherwise"
"Prcsumptuous man." the prime minis
ter exclaimed hoarsely. The kings COM
Inands have been conveyed through my
mouth. What more IS needed"
His sentence was suddenly cut short.
With startling abruptness Sir John Tenn
pletOn. now for the first time, turned his
head toward the speaker. and flashed up
on him a gaze so keen and penetrating that
the count broke Off his speech with an
inarticUlate stammer, as ii he had been
struck by a blow.
The effect was extraordinary and thrill
ed 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 toward the spot from
which ne 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," lie said,
speaking in the same quiet. deliberate man
ner as before. For you know that yonder
hYrctched man IS not the king of Bal
kama"
TO convey an adequate conception OF the
tremendous impression produced by these
words is n task beyond tho capacity of
my humble pen. Their effect. indeed. was
indescribable. Tho prime minister. with
eyes distcnded and bloodless cheeks. stag
gered back, clutcn1ng convulsively at the
arms of the chair that stood beside him,
while his lips opened and closed mcchan-
icaly, as If he We're struggling for speech
ana could bring forth no sound.
A moment of total silence followed. The
two ambassadors gazed dumb and open
mouthed, now at Sir John. and now at
Count SastrOwitch. whilst the others stood
rooted to the spot-StrucN mute. as IL seem
eli. with establishment AT a revelation the
fun meaning of which their minds We're
quite unprepared 70 grasp. The prince was
tine first to break the silence. UtterluS
an exclamation. half Of terror. half OF
bewtlderment he took step
forward, then stopped again. and remain
ed I'm an attitude OF ealer expectation,
looking toward Sir john Templeton. as Sc
for some further solution of The extra
ordinery mystery his words had unveiled.
Amlnd this strange scene The miserable
object Of il all, stll rccumhcnt In the
royal armchair. but completely collapsed
now and huddlcd together In an almost
shapeless mass. stared with duh ewes
vacantly Into tile space before him. CULVER
ing and qual<ing ike a creature slrlcseR
with a sudden palsy
Slowly Sir John let his extended right
arm sink to his side. Then, turning once
moro to the prince regent. ne bowed low.
and said in his simple, courtly tones;
II am at your majesty's commando
The words released tile spell that rested
upon the assembly TttoriuS a yell of
mingled fury aud despair. Count Sastro-
witch now Spraug forward with a sudden
bound But whether his purpose was 70
fan upon sir Joun TcmDlctou. ar to wrca1
his mad passion upou tEe prince. IS nom Aa
hated, viii never DE known; for before ae
could execute it he vas seLzed ay the Two
officers OF the latters retinue ana hold
IN their iron grip, powerlcss TO act or
move.
Pale and aritatcd, Prince Grogor Alex
ander STROBE quickly 20 the door. turned
the key I'm the lock- ond. approaching the
prime minister. VINO stood with white liis
and staring eyes. between his two stall
wart guardians. regarded him long and
intently
miserable man." he said. at last. Il re-