The Iola register., 1902-08-01

Epsa - e. q dividual had been dis,
missed 10y the princess.
Il suppose that was English you
were speaking as | entered" said the
colonel II do not understand It,"
THAT is well for your soul" return
ed Darrell. "The language was vio-
lent"
What was the matter?" asked Kor
ma, and then without waiting for an
answer, What are you going to do
with that thingY
This question referred to the faded
cloak which Darrell had taken from
the idiot, Musef
81 have made n fool of myself, Colo
mel Korna," said the American. please
do not ask me how, but take my word
that ii was done in way that the
most brainless monkey ever born in a
tree could not have bettered. Having
done IT. | was naturally reminded Of
this idiots belongings. DO you sup
pose there is any beeswax in Vladikau-
kasW
'Is that question part Of your dis
guse?' laughed Korna, for Darrell had
put on the cloak and taken up the pipes
upon which Musef had played
Darrell convinced Korna that he was
serious, whereupon the latter replied
that II would be singular If town Of
the size of Vladikaukas contained no
beeswaX, but he did not know just
where 1t could be found.
I'VE have had great news" he add
ed. "a spy has come down all the way
from Stavropol. The report Of the rail-
way wreck which has delayed the Rus
sian force Is confirmed. Moreover
II am out Of favor with the khan"
said Darrell, interrupting. 81 do not
feel that should listen to your mill
tary secrets"
Korna stared, and then, seeing that
Darrell was serious, he was about to
express his sympathy when he was
hastily summoned to the khan's pres
ence.
Darrell put away the cloak and pipe
| and went out into the town, where he
found many small stores open, for
there was excellent order in the place
/ anu NNNhl'h NlAllbAA FANhN hlAANAlN y
n supply of beeswaX and black goats
hair, with which he built up a beard
almost as wild as Musef's. A beard
constructed in this way 10y man eX.
| perienced in the art will bear close in,
| spection. Having completed his task
he wrote a note to Korna in these
words:
| My Dear Colonol--I am going to try to get
| through the Russian lines with n copy Of N,
I khans cipher message to Prince Kilziar. II am
| not heard Of within ten days, will you please in
form the khan Of my attempt2 | would have you
maintain silence for that interval, II you can dc
/ so without serious inconvenience, and II do mol
return would have you remember me pleasantly
| as ! shall remember you 80 long as ] retain the
/ faculty.
He left this where Korna would find
| 1t and then, mounted upon a grotesque
little mule that he had purchased
made his way out through the Circas
sian lines, the seal of the khan upon
/ the order that he bore being his war
/ rant.
The mule was a sturdy brute, and
| though Darrell made wide detour, sc
that he seemed TO be coming up from
the east, it was not later than O'Clock
In the afternoon when he was halted
by Russian pickets upon the right
wing Of their force.
An utter recklessness had taken pos
session OF Darrell since his wretched
interview with Vera. He had ridden
along the road rehearsing the demean
or Of Musef as he had observed IT.
practicing the peculiarities Of speech
that had distinguished the idiot and
fitting crack Drained jests from his own
memory to the language in which they
must be uttered.
He had given some attention also &c
the pipes, but found It easier because
of his especial aptitude to initiate the
sound of the instrument than to play
upon ii.
When the picket cried out Halt"
Darrell cuffed the mules ear and cried
"Halt!' to him in an excellent copy OF
the Russian soldiers tone, whereat
another soldier laughed. Meanwhile
the mule kept straight on and did not
stop until the soldiers had him by the
bride, one on each side.
at is Musef the Traveller" said the
soldier who had laughed. II have seen
him in Stavropol."
If Darrell had been in a humor ia,
vorable to fear, this utterance would
have alarmed him seriously. He had
not attempted personation. 1t was
impossible that he should be mistaken