The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1902-08-23

me paper in which / was required
or ordered to relinquish all claims
to the hand Of
"Sire," interposed the duke, che
misstates"-
"Never mind" broke in the en-
peror, with an authoritative wave of
the hand, eve will hear nothing
about the lady here. Why did you
strike the count ?"
Because, sire, he descended from
his station and struck me. He
threw away the shield which should
protect the nobleman and struck
me without provocation."
"And 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 1 told
him there was but one man on
earth at whose order 1 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 it 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 GLOW dared
you take advantage of the count in
the conflict ?"
Advantage, sire?' repeated the
youth in surprise.
"Aye. Did he not, Stephen Ur-
zen %
''He did, SIRE" replied the man
thus addressed.
"And 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 heuten-
ant ?''
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, F1 would rather
you would judge of that for your
self"
'Me Judge? And how am to do
that?"
"Let Ruric Novels skill be tried
here before you. If l mistake not,
you have some good swordsmen near
your palace. There is Demetrius, the
Greek"
"What, my master at arms?"
Yes, sire"
why, he is the best swordsman
in my empire. 1 think our young
adventurer would fare badly in his
hands,"
.sNever mind, sire. You could
Judge" 1s*,r ~
"Why," said Peter, with smile,
'Demetrius handles the count as /
would mere child" svs
"Sire," spoke Ruric modestly, but
'et frankly, cit were surely no dis
race to be overcome by your tutor" 1
"And will you take turn with {
i'm at the swords % I
Yes, sire, if so it please YOU"
'eBy my SOUL" cried the emperor, I
gaping up, well have some diver
ion out of this trial. What no, 6
herel Light up the chamber. Let {
very lamp be lighted, for we want
light now. Send Demetrius here
nd tell him to bring hisround edged f
words p
Both the duke and Urzen stood
ghast at this new turn, but they
Jared not interfere, for they saw t
hat their imperial master was all I
excitement now to see a trial of skill I
t that science which, above all 9TH
rs, he tried to make his officers |
earn. But then they had one hope I
-Demetrius might overcome the
unmaSer SO easily that Peter
hould not see his real power
Oemetrlus- soon came, and under
is arm he carried the swords. They
7ere of the common size, but with
ound edges and points on purpose !
or play. The master at arms was a I
owerfully built man and possessed
splendid form. He was a Greek I
y birth and was now retained by '
he emperor as teacher of the c
word exercise.
"Demetrius," said Peter, 81 have =
snt for you to entertain us with
how of your skill. Here is a man
bout whose power there is some Q
ispute. Mind you, it is all in kind \
ess. Ruric Newell, take your weap- y
A."
The youth stepped forward and s
Il