Cañon City record., 1901-08-29
on strike a Russian nobleman p,

you strike Russian nobleman ?"
az did not. sire Conrad Damonoff
came to my shop, and he brought
me a paper in which | was required
or ordered to relinquish all claims
to the hand Of
"Sire," interposed the duke. "he
misstates"-
"Never mind" broke in the EN-
peror, with an authoritative wave OF
the hand, "we will hear nothing
about the lady here. Why did you
strike the count 2"
Because, sire, he descended from
his station aud struck me. He
threw away the shield which should
protect the nobleman and struck
me without provocation-"
"ADd then you knocked him
down ?"
81 did, sire"
"And perhaps you would have
done the same to me-"
"Sire," answered the youth quick
ly, "when Damonoff tried by threats
to make me sign his paper told
him there was but one man on
earth at whose order would do
that thing. The man who has the
right to command shall never have
occasion to strike me.
There was something in this reply
and more in the tone and bearing Of
him who spoke ii that made the
duke tremble. He saw plainly that
the emperor's eyes sparkled with ad-
miration as they rested upon the
gunmaker.
"But now about this duel" re-
sumed the emperor. NHow dared
you take advantage of the count in
the conflict 2"
advantage, sire?" repeated the
youth in surprise.
aye. Did ne not, Stephen Ur-
zen ~
"He did. sire," replied the man
thus addressed.
sand which of the two do you call
the best swordsman ?" Peter asked.
"Why. sir, the count is or was
vastly his superior"
"And what say you, sir lieuten-
ant 2"
Alaric trembled, for this was ad-
dressed to him. He knew that the
duke was anxious to crush his
friend, and he feared to draw the
wrath of that powerful nobleman
down upon his head But happy
thought came TO his aid.
Sire" he said, Il would rather
you would judge of that for your
self"
Me judge? And how am ! to do
thatT"
Let Ruric Nevel's skill be tried
here before YOU. II | mistake not,
YOU have some good swordsmen near
your palace. There is Demetrius, the
Greek"
"what. my master at arms?"
es, sire"
"Why, he is the best swordsman
in nv empire. think our young
adventurcr would fare badly in his
hands"
Never mind, sire. You could
Judge"
why" said Peter, with a smile,
"Demetrius handles the count AS !
would mere child"
"Sire." spoke Ruric modestly. but
vet frankly, "it were surely no dis
grace to be overcome by your tutor.
"And will YOU take a turn with
him al the swords 2"
"'Yes. sire, if so If please you"
''By my soul, cried the emperor,
leaping up, "we'll have some diver
sion out of this trial What ho,
there, Light up the chamber. Let
every lamp be lighted, for we want
sight now. Send Demetrius here
and tell him to bring his round edged
swords,"
Both the duke and Urzen stood
nghast at this new turn. but they
dared not interfere, for they saw
that their imperial master was all
excitement now to see trial Of skill
at that science which, above all 9TH
crs. he tried 10 make his officers
learn. But then they had one hope
-Demetrius might overcome the
gunmaker so easily that Peter
should not see his real power,
Demetrius soon came, and under
his arm he carried the swords. They
were of the common size, but with
round edges and points on purpose
for play The master at arms was
powerfully built man and possessed
splendid form. He was a Greek
l.. L..