The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1904-02-03

sBut Will he dare disobey Il

der
ssYes, for he hopes to escape BY
falsehood. How easy for him to
swear that he had to kill you to take
you!''
81 see,>I see!!'' uttered Ruric.
"Then come with me-.
sDid the emperor send you:"
ssNo; but | take the responsible
ty. ! will take you to him myself.
Be sure the dukes hirelings will be
here before long. Trust to me, and
all shall be we'll.
Ruric pondered a few moments.
and he saw that his friend was right.
ssLet me so and see my mother,
he said, @and then ! Will go with
you"
SeBut make haste urged the
Greek, Sfor the dukes men may be
here soon, and / do not wish them
to see YOU. And tell your mother
to inform whoever may cali that she
knows not where you are gone, but
that YOU will be back by night .
The youth nodded assent and
then went into his mothers room,
where he explained to her what had
happened and what he was about to
do.
sAnd how long must these things
be-" the mother uttered. gazing ca
gerly upon her son.
Not long returned Ruric. q
NAV do much toward settling tbs
matter today. But fear not, for |
am now safe and shall be until | see
you again .
The widow promised all that her
son asked and soon became assured
that all was well, but Paul was left
with the duty of attending to those
who might come for Ruric, though
they might see the widow if they
persisted. The boy promised to tell
all that asked for his master that he
was gone away on business and
would not return till evening.
The mother came out before Ru-
rie was. ready to start, and her ey-
animation of the Greeks counte-
nance seemed to be satisfactory, for
the anxious look left her face, and
she looked upon the visitor kindly.
AS Ruric entered the sledge the
dawn Of day was plainly announced
in the east and the stars were paling
in the sky. The Greek did not take
the direct road to the Kremlin, but
struck of to the westward and SO
entered by the Neglina.
An hour later a party of FIVE men
drove up to the gunmaker's cot.
They were dark, villainous looking
men, and murder was plainly stamp
ed upon their faces. They entered
the dwelling, but they found not
their prey. They stormed and swore,
but to no purpose, and when they
were convinced that the gunmaker
was not there they went away. !
An hour later still another par
ty drove up to the same cot. 1t
consisted of two men in double
sledge, one of whom was Vladimir,
The monk. The fat, mystic man en-
tered the cot, and there he remained
for some time. When he came out,
the widow and Paul accompanied
him, and they all got into the sledge
and drove off together.
What did it mean?
It was noon. The proud duke was
once more alone in his private room,
and he was pacing mcasiIy to and
fro. There was IL cloud upon his
brow and trouble in his soul. His
lips were firmly set and his hands
clinched. Ever ard anon he NUT
tered to himself, and when he did so
his hands would work nervously and
emphatically. He looked often at
his watch. and often he stopped near
the door and hearkened.
At length came that we'll known
shuffiing, uncertain, ca, tread.
He threw open his door, and the
dark priest glided in.
"Ha, Savotano, Eve waited for
you" the duke uttered, sinking into
a chair, for his nervous walking had
made him weary. 'Now tell me the
work is done. Oh, for Gods sake,
don't tell me again Of failurep
"Alas, my lord"-
"Hold, Savotano! By the host of
hosts, you are not going to tell me
of failuret'
"Not really a failure, my lord, y
the priest returned nervously, "but
our men did not find the gunmaker