Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-07-05
CHAPTER TX.
BETwEEN TWO Foes.

ed a cigar, which he
held between his teeth with the burn
ing end tilted up 20 the level OF his eye,
and it struck Darrell suddenly that this
grizzled soldier. with his square jaw
and rough, closely trimmed beard,
strongly resenbled a very famous New
York politician The thought was hu-
morous, but had It's tragic side, for Oar
rell was at the mans mercy.
Still. except for the sinister appear
son why Darrell should fear any evil
at his hands
who are these menT demanded XIII
ziar, and immediately an officer who
had been sitting at the end OF the table
arose and said:
This one claims TO be an American.
The other was a turnkey In the prison.
They bad been serving with the de-
tenders when captured by our troops"
How is thisr' asked the prince, ad-
dressing Darrell.
I'VE were with the defenders, but
not Of them" replied Darrell eve Of
fered no resistance TO your forces
ITO the best Of my information" said
Kilziar. you were among the prison
ers and escaped the massacre by agree
ing TO serve with the Russians. You
occupy the position OF noncombatant
bearing arms In violation OF the laws
OF war. 1t seems to me that You de-
serve death"
Darrell was mystihed. He could see
no earthly reason why Kilziar should
treat him with severity.
viii you answer me one question:
he said as Vera Shevalon within the
Circassian linesr'
'She Is princess Of Circsssia," said
kiiEiar. saluting. land will be its queen
when the state Is free"
do you think she would desire my
death?"
Il don't think 1t would matter To
her one way or the other" replied XII
ziar. IF there were any reason 10
suppose so. would spare you until
her wishes could be learned. In Paris
you befriended her for time and then
betrayed her TO the police to save your
own skin"
II" exclaimed Darrell. aghast at this
monstrous accusation.
so l have been led TO believe" re-
turned Kilziar. rolling his cigar be-
tween his teeth. ~But time presses.
wish TO hear more evidence I'm regard
TO this mans conduct when we took
the town."
At this, as II the prince had touched
some sort of secret spring. a door OPEN
ed. and some soldiers entered. With
them were a half dozen wretched old
ia
Soldiers and citizens testified like
school children reciting verses that
Darrell had been seen upon the wall in
Russian uniform, armed and lighting
like demon.
Enough" said the prince a. last.
Let these two men be shot"
AT what hour?' asked the officer ut
the end OF the table.
when the moon rises" answered
kilziar, removing his cigar and grin
ming like gorilla. ''It is rather dark
outside just now. See to IL. Varnek."
"One moment" said Darrell. you
seem to be a stickler for military law.
Is this your idea Of court martialg"
Yes" said Kilziar calmly; lit is my
idea. How do you like it,"
1T has the charm OF novelty" an
swered Darrell, "and the merit OF fit
ting the needs OF cowardiy murderer
like yourselfI'
kilziar chewed his cigar fiercely, as
II seeking a retort. Then suddenly he
waved his arm toward Varnek.
Take them away" he said.
Immediately guard fell in around
the prisoners. and they were taken to
n small room in the rear of the house.
1t seemed TO have been a place for
storing periShable food in summer. be-
ing below the level of the ground, hav-
ing near the ceiling a little slit of a
window, barred and covered with a
wire screen and flush with the pave
ment Of the court without.
Darrell was a man not prone to de-
spair, but he could not see q way of
safety here. 1t looked like the end of
this world to him, and the fate was
harder because it was incomprehensi-
BILE. lie could not understand Kilziar's
action. Surely 1t was not based upon
any idea of military justice, for it must
nave been obvious to the duIIest mind
that Darrell would not seriously have
resisted the invaders of Gredskoy.
Could it be that Kilziar credited the
story that Darrell had betrayed Vera
to the Partisan police? The idea be-
longed in the realms of delirium. Then
where could a legitimate explanation
be found?
Il haven't time to think it out" said
Darrell to himself. 81 must make some
sort of play for liberty. Can my guards
be bought?"
He still had the money which had es-
capped the searchers in HIS cell at STAY
ropol, and 1t was a sum to tempt a sol
der. Darrell kicked upon the heavy
wooden door Of the room and cried out
in Russian to the guards, but there
was no response. BE was not even or
dered to keep quiet. An hour passed
in this vain attempt; then suddenly the
door was flung open, and he beheld
with surprise the face OF the CfrcassIan
officer, Korna. whom he had seen IN
Paris.
In the DOORWAY OF the CELLAR from