The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1904-01-27

BUSINESS OF importance, sire
business of less moment to me than
to the state.
"Ah! Proceed"
Only two attendants were with
the emperor, one of whom was De-
metrius the Greek, and the place of
audience was in one of the private
apartments near the bedchamber,
where only privileged ones we're ever
allowed to come.
"Sire," commenced the duke.
"you remember the gunmaker who
was before you not long since"
"Ah, yes-the one who took my
Greeks sword from him."
''The same, sire. Have you heard
from him since?
'sBy my soul, Olga, I had well
nigh forgotten the fellow. Yes,
yes; I remember him well row. He
was right stout knaye."
''Aye, and dangerous one, too,
sire-a dangerous man." said the
duke, with a dubious shake of his
head.
"Ah! What has he done?"
':Why, he has been engaged in va
rious robberies to my certain knowl-
edge, and only few evenings since
he knocked down one of our holy
priests and robbed him Of all he
had. He is at the head Of a numer-
Gus band of desperadoes.''
s1s it possible ?"
s1 know it, SIRE
eBy st. Paul, [ should not have
believed this!"
'Nor would I have believed it,
sire, had I not received proofs not
to be questioned. I, as is my duty,
have long been anxious to ferret out
this gang of robbers
sBut I never heard of them, Oh
ga" interrupted Peter.
'Ah, sire, because l gave drec-
ton that you should not be troubled
with the affair. But I have them
now. It IS only last evening that I
got clew upon them. We found
them in an old building near the
river here in the Kremlin, and this
same Ruric Nevel was with them.
But he made his escape" !"
'I do remember me now that the
fellow had bold bearing and a
fearless look" said the emperor half
to himself, "and if such a man turns
villain there must be danger in it. "
'sAye, sire, you speak truly, and
now, with your order, I can appre-
hend the fellow at once"
Il can send and have it done, my
dear duke"
f:But your officers may not find
him. I know where he is and can
have him taken at once. He has
several hiding places"
"Well, then you might do the
work with more advantage"
"Aye, and I can have him tried
and disposed Of without further
trouble to you, sire"
SNo, no. I wish to see him" re-
turned the emperor. Il will give
you the necessary order, and you
may bring him here"
Peter then turned to his secreta-
ry and bade him fill an order for Ru-
ric Nevel's arrest. The stout mas
ter at arms looked on with a trou-
bled countenance, and his glances
toward the duke were anything but
loving. He did not seem to relish
the business at all, and the express
sion of his countenance would seem
to indicate that he did not believe
all that the duke had said.
However, the order was soon
made out and in the dukes posses
SION
.Remember,' said Peter, ''you
will bring him before me-"
"You shall be obeyed, sire.
If the emperor did not notice
the strange, dark look of the duke
as he turned away, the Greek did,
and he fancied, too, that he knew
what it meant. But he said nothing
then.
Olga bowed low as he clutched the
order, and, having once more prom
ised obedience, he hurried from the
imperial presence. As he passed
out through the wide court he walk
ed slowly and thoughtfully and with
his head bowed. But soon he start
ed up, his hands came together with
an emphatic movement, and he NOV
ed on more quickly. He had gained
the street and approached a small
court within which stood a house
lo c4n,,,,oJ