Warren sheaf., 1901-09-05
le duke, came to see tha mperor. !.


I had Just been giving his majesty
some exercise at the sword, SO /
was present at the interview. The
duke wished for power to arrest you,
and in explanation Of the request
he stated that you were at the head
Of band Of robbers here in the city
and that you had already committed
several robberies. / needn't tell you
all he said, but he made you out to
be a most unmitigated villain, and
with this the emperor granted his
request. Olga wished for power to
execute you at once, but Peter would
not go SO far as that. He gave the
power of arrest, but ordered the
duke to bring you before him."
Ruric stood for a few moments
like one confounded. Fl
"Then he must carry me to the
emperor" he said at length.
"Ah," returned Demetrius, with a
dubious shake Of the head, 'be not
too sure of that. I saw look upon
his face when he turned away that
meant more than he dared't to speak.
As sure as fate, he never means that
you shall see the emperor. I know
it saw it in his evil eye" 4: Il \.
'But will he dare disobey the or.
der ?" =,
eyes, for he hopes to escape by
falsehood. How easy for him to
swear that he had to kill you to take
you!'' .'' FL "'..s i. .5''.o Il ss@.s.'&1
81 see, I see!" uttered Ruric.
FFThen come with me-" .t.g~s..
'|Did the emperor send you?''
<fNo; but l take the responsible
ty. I will take you to him myself.
Be sure the dukes hirelings will be
here before long: Trust to me, and
all shall be WE'LL" ~..~ ,.#= >@ =
Ruric pondered few moments,
and he saw that his friend was right.
*'Let me go and see my mother,"'
he said, "and then I will go with
you" I'D. II
FfBut make haste,' urged the
Greek, "for the dukes men may be
here soon, and I do not wish them
to see you. And tell your mother
to inform whoever may call that she
knows not where you are gone, but
that you will be back by night
The youth nodded assent and
then went into his mothers room,
where he explained to her what had
happened and what he was about to
do.
fAnd how long must these things
% the mother uttered, gazing ca
gerly upon her son. 2. 2.
**Not long, returned Ruric. 81
may do much toward settling the
matter today. But fear not, for l
am now safe and shall be until I see
you again" ...5 ~ 8. !.
The widow promised ALI that her
son asked and soon became assured
that all was we'll, but Paul was left
with the duty Of attending to those
who might come for Ruric, though
they might see the widow if they
persisted. The boy promised to tell
all that asked for his master that he
was gone away on business and
would not return till evening. @> I'll
The mother came out before Ru-
ric was ready to start, and her ex-
animation of the Greeks counte-
nance seemed to be satisfactory, for
the anxious look left her face, and
she looked upon the visitor kindly.
AS Ruric entered the sledge the
dawn of day was plainly announced
in the east and the stars were paling
in the sky. The Greek did not take
the direct road to the Kremlin, but
struck off to the westward and so
entered by the Neglina.
An hour later a party of five men
drove up to the gunmaker's cot.
They were dark, villainous looking
men, and murder was plainly stamp
ed upon their faces. They entered
the dwelling, but they found not
their'prey. They stormed and swore,
but to no purpose, and when they
we're convinced. that the gunmaker
was not there they went away. @*
An hour later still another par
ty drove up to the same cot. It
consisted Of two men in double
sledge, one of whom was Vladimir,
the monk. The fat, mystic man en-
tered the cot, and there he remained
for some time. When he came out,
the widow and Paul accompanied
him, and they all got into the sledge
and drove off together.
What did it mean? ~ .".z. .4s-&
- sn* *ltg+ 80 =.
It was noon. The proud duke was
once more alone in his private room,
o,,l L l.. 7