Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-07-26

was n WTetched FELLOW who often stood
long In the rain TO watch it He was
thus gloomily employed one night just
beyond the challenge OF the sentries
when he detected dark figure gliding
along the edge OF a small building that
had stood diagonally opposite the inn
and had been wrecked and set OH tire
by shell on the second day of the
siege, when there had been consider
able artillery practice. Since then there
had been only occasional firing. yet the
Inn had been hit twice. with slight
damage.
The man whom Darrell had seen en-
tered the wrecked building. and the
Americans curiosity was excited. He
did an excellent bit off StalSing and
was under the charred wall b..,Ge the
ruin OF window. SD near To the man
that he could hear the fellow stiae a
cough, yet wholly unperceiyed Sud-
denly he struck a match upon the side
Of its box and thrust his head and arm
into the aperture that bad been win
dow. The rain spared the fiaring bit
OF wood long enough tor Darrell to
perceive with great surprise his old
acquaintance. KevSki, crouching there,
with rifle in his hands.
A sentry called from across the
street.
"Friendr' replied Darrell. Merely
lighting my pipe"
The explanation seemed to be salts
factory. fer there was no further chal-
lenge.
what are you doing here?" whisper
ed Darrell. Come out"
Kevski obeyed, though had any other
voice commanded him he would prob
ably have resisted or fed. AS they
stood by the side of the charred ruins
there was a sound OF voices from
across the street, and Prince Kilziar
appeared in the doorway of the inn,
his figure sharply outlined because of
the light behind him. He and some OF
his officers had been in conference with
Vera and were now about TO return to
their quarters through the rain.
You hate that man." whispered Kew
ski. Release me. and you shall see
the end of him."
Darrell's grip frightened on the Rus
slams arm.
You were lying in wait for the
prince" he said slowly.
you saw what he did to me-" an
swered Kevski. You saved me from
death, though / did not know at first
that IL was you. | suffered the knout
in the prison before that Kilziar be-
lieved you were hidden in this city. 1
was tortured to make me confess where
you were. They got nothing from me-
What became of you that morning
when you left me In the wood p asked
Darrell; captured by Kilziar's men,
l suppose, and brought into the city"
81 was trying TO find food in a house
when they caught me-" answered Kew
ski, and then In a trembling whisper,
"See how the wretch stands there in
the light"
you owe me something said Oar
rell. 81 don't like 90 mention il, but
you do, Here's n chance TO pay. Prom
ise me that you viii not try to take
that mans life. Why waste your timer'
he added bitterly 'Are you not salts
fed with his position? he cannot es-
cape from this city. and you know what
his fate will be IL he falls into the
hands OF the Russians"
''rhey viii never take him." answer
ed Kevski There is n secret way out
OF this city"
"Not through the pass?'
"No. That is held by the Russian
force from Tifis, as every one knows
"And the Russian line IN front OF u.s.
said Darrell. "is semicircle reaching
to the cliffs upon each side"
"But there is a way along the face of
those cliffs" answered Kevski; mot a
road for an army, OF course. but when
Kilziar is ready he will move out by
! that route with few men and much
gold. l know, for one OF my friends
will act as guide. Where the secret
path Is l do not know, and there are
few in this city who do. Ny friend
will not tell me. 1t is only from hints
when he had been drinking too much
that 1 have learned what / have told
you"
Learn more, Kevslxi," said Darrell.
Don't waste your time in assassina-
ton, but devote It all to the discovery
OF this secret Do this for me by way of
gratitude to win great reward and to
| get to America, which is your dream"
Kevski was silent, lingering the ride
and staring across the little square al