The San Francisco call., 1904-04-10

by Chinese renegades. had fed to the
Russian legation; here well lin hand"
he had been played clean TO the hilt
Ola AndOrph had secured practical
possession of the mint and customs,
and Deineff had come quickly into the
good graces OF Quelpartien army offl-
GERS. Scarcely a night but banquet Of
one kind or another was served in the
great dining room cf the legation. The
boxes of roubles, brought merrily UP
from Tsi by troops of laundering Cos
sacks. often needed replenishment, but
never was the need unsatisfied.
I attended Oranoff continually at
first, but as he found il less and less
necessary to move about. / was often
detailed under Dejneff, who was
STRENGTHENING out" the army; between
US We were whipping into line regi-
ment or two that could at least march.
More than that could not have been ex-
pected of us. The wonder was that we
were so far successful. and when we
drilled in the avenues near the palace,
the admiration of the thousands who
gathered was Dejneff's solace. 1t was
plain his ambition was not to have an
effective army, but. if possible. to awe
the populace. After the last review the
old intriguers beard was fun of soft
songs. had conducted the maneu-
Vers while he with his interpreter min
gied with the crowds. He heard what
was said!
we have them" he laughed softly,
as we rode back TO the legation. Mar
tyn, tell Oranoff tonight that we shall
be ready in a week"
wondered what he would be ready
for; and if l was silent that evening in
the salon with the ladies it was because
] felt we were swiftly approaching the
climax of the drama. OF this 1 had
been assured by Colonel Oranoff him
self for, the silent conquest" going
smoothly, little now was left but to
have the Russian protectOrate openly
declared TO Quelparte and TO the world.
To guard against an uprising Of the
popUlaoe il had been decided TO post
pone the announcement until a favora-
bile opportunity occurred in the shape Of
public holiday or celebration. Toward
this Oranoff's plans were heading with
success. and the funeral Of the MUIR
dered Queen, long postponed. was pro-
posed even by the King himself The
pageant, as planned, would occupy sew
eral days while the nation took a holi-
day. With minds set upon this, there
was little or no danger Ct an emeute on
the part OF the Quelpartiens.
The talk in the salon had centered
about this pageant, and the ladies were
particularly interested in learning Of
the preparations made by the native
government, for royal funerals in Quel-
Darte are we'll known TO be the high
water mark Of heather mummery and
oriental eNtravagance. Everything was
s#seN Naas1
tlre Of the orgy-the Queens sarcopha-
gus and her remains With a strange
fatalism my mind continually reverted
TO this very center of the proposed cele-
brauon which was so skillfully evaded
BY every one.
But even as pondered these things
received a summons to Orancff's office
in the Kings wing Of the legation
Were my questions to be answered so
soon?
About the room were seated those
whom BY dress took to be noblemen of
Queiparte. They rose when 1 entered,
impressed no doubt by the sumptuous
military dress in which Captain Dejneff
compelled me to appear at the legation
and barracks No sooner were all
seated than 1 perceived the company
awaited some one. All We're silent, and
sat facing a sofa covered with tigers
skins which had been drawn into the
center of the apartment. After a few
moments a secret panel moved and a
stately figure, in spOtless Quelpartien
robes. stood in the doorway. 1 sank 20
my knees saluting, With the others
1t was whang-Su, the King Of Quel-
parte.
His Majesty broke the spell Of roy
atty for me by sauntering into the
room, Isodding to one and another of
his Cabinet. touching a hand here and
calling "a name there, and then by
dropping on the sofa and lighting an
Egyptian cigarette which he drew from
a silver case.
He had just broken his fast-for,
since the murder Of the Queen, the King
Of Quelparre slept when the world was
awake, and met his Cabinet and issued
his heather DEGREES when the rest Of
the world was asleep.
Colonel Oranoff at once got to the
center Of matters.
Your Majesty has consulted the
soothsayers?"
Wang-Su bowed, smiling blandly.
And the Imperial funeral Will be de-
creed as we planned?'
Yes" answered the King Of Quel-
parte, taking the cigarette from his
lips. ION the night Of the round moon,
that is, If" and he glanced quickly to
a nobleman near him, Prince Ting.
The latter knelt, then rose, saluted,
and spoke:
Your Majesty has been correctly in
formed: the mausoleum is quite COM
pleted." But this did not answer the
Kings question, and he instantly arose
TO his feet
Yes, but the Queens body" he
cried, lowering his voice.
All had arisen with the King.
And now Colonel Oranof spoke quick
" to him in low tone, and, satisfied,
at length the King called Prince Ting
to his side, to whom, in low tone, he
in cNriff succession