The Cairo bulletin., 1904-10-31

ana went DdGh w
ward the road. while Kilziar. with sew
eral officers around him. sat down upon
a stool and lighted cigar.
At that moment Darrell was lying
upon the floor of the attic, almost di
rectly above Kllziar's head. He had
good view Of the prince through a
cliink. and he could hear as well as
the men In the room below.
This seems to be the best place to
halt Them" Kilziar continued. II will
teach these shrewd fellows not to
dodge their toll"
The game was obvious to Darrell.
The prince had got wind of some rich
caravan that would ordinarily have
passed through Gredskov, but, hearing
that the town was held. had circled 1t.
well knowing what tribute would be
exacted by the revolutionists.
1t was not long before babble OF
voices came from the direction Of the
road. aud then there appeared FIVE
Turkish merchants under guard of
soldiers.
The scene that ensued began by be
ing grimly amusing aud ended in pitt
full tragedy. For as much as he could
understand of the bargaining it SEEM
ed to Darrell that the merchants were
being royalty bled, but apparently the
prince understood them better than
the American did. Having received
certain sums 10 gold that was careful
Is stored away in bags, kilzlar dis
missed four of the merchants and de-
tanned the fifth. who was the youngest
of them. sharp looking fellow. tall.
smooth shaver aud rather handsome,
BY Kilziar's orders he was left alone
with this man. and Immediately an ac-
rimonious discussion ensueds the prince
asserting that he had been cheated re-
gardin2 the value OF the caravan and
that many rich jewels were among its
merchandise. The tall fellow denied 1t
boldly, and Kilzlars temper rose. Sud-
denly. TO Darrell's unspeakable horror,
the prince whipped out his sword and
struck the offending merchant dead at
n blow. II was a murder Of the coars-
est brutality, and IL there had been
ftiOttu 0ilt iultftfftHtt iydllt-t
would have been unable to witness
such crime without an effort TO pre-
vent ii, but the deed was done in q
fash
Instantly there came loud rapping Mt
the closed door, and a voice without
cried: p -
"Excellency. 1t is Korna with mes
sage from Motman KhanEf4
bid him enter, said Kilziar.
alone"
The youisg man came in hastily, but
as he raised his hand to salute he saw
the body ON the floor and started back.
"IIave you never seen dead man be-
foref" growled Kilziar. "Come! What
is this message? Is Motman Khan not
satisfied with what has been doneY
"Motman Khan Is satisfied" replied
Korna. "W'ho would not be? All is
we'll with u.s. Gredskoy is In our
hands. and your excellency as governor
Of the place will control the pass. Ev-
cry caravan that crosses between Moz-
dok and Tinls must pay tribute to our
cause"
"One OF them has Just done So" an
swcred Kilziar. but the message"
"Why. 1t is here" said Korna. hand
ing the prince a letter. 1T appears
that Motman Khan has learned of the
presence In Gredskov OF the American.
Darrell. The khan wishes his life TO he
spared
But he died last night" said Kilziar.
"Why. then. have you ridden from
Gredskov TO tell me thisl"
Because" replied Korna. "slnce
your departure this morning have
been told that the American escaped.
and. thinking that he might fall into
your hands again, hurried forward
with the order"
The Princess Vera seems much IN
terested." said Kilzlar.
Il could not say. your excellcncy."
was the reply. 81 have not been In The
confidence of the lady as much as you"
You lie. You know that this Ameri-
can would have won the hand Of Prin-
cess Vera in marriage IL we had not
got her out Of Paris"
Perhaps. your excellency." said Kor-
ma warily.
And now Motman Khan sends a
message about this very American. |
Well. what was be doing In stavro-
polT'
kOrna smiled.
II believe. your excelIency. that he
came from Paris TO find the princess"
Kilziar cursed under bis breath and 1
opened the letter.
You were right" be said "Motman /
Khan commands me 10 seek.this pris- 4
oner and set him free"
Il knew that was the message" said /
korna. Surely we have no cause 10 I
deal otherwise with an American. We I
are fighting Russia"
Are wez' cried Kilziar hercely. 4
Are you the one 10 tell me whom we
are fchtingT
Not I. your eXcelleBcy." answered 4
kcrna- "But as TO this man
AS to this msnr' echoed Eilziar. 1