The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1901-09-07

/ 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 Mt 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 most unmitigated villain, and
with this the emperor granted his
request. Olga wished for power to
execute you at once, but Peter would
not 90 SO far as that. lie gave the
power Of arrest. but ordered the
duke to bring you before him"
Ruric stood for few moments
/ like one COMPOUNDED.
"Then he must carry me TO tho
emperor" he said at length
"Ah." returned Demetrius, with
dubious shake of the head, ''be not
too sure Of that | saw look upon
his face when he turned away that
meant more than he dared to speak.
/ As sure as fate, he never means that
You shall see the emperor. know
til saw it in his evil eye"
But viii he dare disobey the or
der
eyes. for he hopes to escape by
i falsehood How easy for him TO
swear that he bad to Kill YOU to take
/ you,'
81 see, see" uttered Ruric.
"Then come with me"
"Did the emperor send you?"
"No; but | take the responsible
4 tv. | 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 pondcred few moments,
and lac saw that his friend was right.
"Let me 90 and see my mother"
he said, "and then | will 80 with
you"
But make haste" urged the
i Greek, ''for the dukes men may be
here soon, and | do not wish them
to see you. And tell your mother
to inform whoever may call that sho
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.
'SAnd how long must these things
be- the mother uttered, gazing ca
i gerly upon her son.
Not long" returned Ruric. II
may DO much toward settling the
matter today. But fear not, for !
am now safe and shall be until ] SEQ
i you again.
The widow promised all that her
son asked and soon became assured
that all was well 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 box promised to tell
all that asked for his master that ho
was gone away on business and
would not return till evening.
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 we're paling
in the Sky. The Greek did not take
the direct road to the Kremlin, but
struck or 10 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
mon, and murder was plainly stamp
cd upon their faces. They entered
the dwelling, but they found not
their prey They stormcd and swore,
but 70 no purpose, and when they
were convinced that the gunmaker
was not there they went away.
An hour later still another par
ty drove up TO Che same cot. It
consisted of two mon in a double
sledgc, one Of whom was Vladimir,
the monk. The fat, mystic man en-
tered hc coli and thcrc he remained
for some time. When he cume out,
the widow aud Paul accompanied
him, and they oll cot into Che sledge
and drove o.I together
What did 10 mean?
1t ws noon. The proud duke was
once more alone iii his private room,
and le WIS pacing uneasily to and
fro There was q cloud upon his