Cañon City record., 1901-09-05
? By SYLVANUS COBB. Jr.

life, and he failed not to serve him.
His clerical robes shielded him from
much suspicion, and, moreover, the
place gave him additional advan-
tages to work at his diabolical trade.
His salary from the government was
sufficient for his support, while an
occasional sum from his master en-
abled him to enjoy many Of those
Injuries which were denied to most
of his brethren. Olga feared not to
trust this man, for the fellow had
nothing to gain by betrayal, but ev-
erything to lose.
And such was the man who now
entered the dukes private room.
He entered with bold air, for,
though he was somewhat in the
dukes power, yet there was a pecul-
lar satisfaction in knowing that
when he fell the noble lord must
fall with him, part way at least.
Brethren in crime cannot count
much upon respect.
81 have come, nv lord" the priest
said as he shook the snow from his
robe and then took q seat by the
furnace pipe.
"And how is the count? ?" asked
Olga.
"He is recovering, / am sure"
'Does Kopani say sor"
"Yes. He says he will have him
out within a month"
"By heavens, Savotano. this must
not be-"
"But tell me, my lord, what is the
particular need Of the counts de-
parting"
The duke gazed his visitor few
moments in the face and then said:
"Why, since the affair interests
you, I'll tell you. Thus far ! have
paid you promptly all your dues,
but / cannot do so much longer un-
less we can make some Of our points
work. Ny property is on the de
crease fast. ] have not enough left
to live on. Within the past three
years have made some bad ven
lures. | put it into But never
mind; suffice ii for me TO say that
| am at the end of my fortune"
The duke was about to say that
he had placed large sums in the
hands of the Minister Galliizin for
the purpose of CARRYING out the con-
spiracy by which the Princess So
phia was 10 have been placed upon
the throne, with Galiiizin for her
prime minister and himself also high
in power. He chose not to tell of
this. And no wonder. for heads had
ere then been taken 10 pay for such
indiscretions.
sand now If this count survives
thus have one source cut of Ny
half of Drotzen is used up and mort
gagged to him, but If he dies thN
whole comes to me. His father and
myself married sisters, and they
owned Drotzen, and on his side the
count is the only heir. So in the
even, of his death the whole comes
to me. You understand this now"
Perfectly, returned the priest.
And It's a pity your first effort did
not succeed.
$50 il is" said the duke uneasily.
"When ! sent him with that mes
sage to the gunmaker. felt sure
he would be slain. and then hoped
that the other could be disposed of
for having slain him. But the en-
peror has turned all my plans up
side down. for the present at least.
Savotano. YOU must have hand in
Damonotf's medicine"
"Tha, is easily done, my lord, /"
replied the priest quietly.
"l ou have free access there 7"
"Ies."
"And can you not watch with him
some night?"
81 think can"
"Then do so. When he is dead,
200 ducats are yours"
"Then he dies"
Good, And now there is one
more. This gunmaker must be got
out of the way"
"Ah." uttered Savotano, looking
up incrcdulously. "Do you mean
so?"
"Mos, nssuredly do"
"But why him ?
80 you fear to undertake the
work p
Not at all. my lord. ! only wish
ed to know why he was wanted
away"
"The reason in simple. ] must
marry with Rosalind Valdai Her
property is vorth the whole of Drot-
zen twice follower two million of