The Cairo bulletin., 1904-10-29

held between his teeth with the burn
Ing end tilted up to the level OF his eye
and It struck Darrell suddenly that this
gri2zled soldier, with his square jaw
and rough closely trimmed beard
strongly resembed a very famous New
York politician The thought was hui
rnorous. but had It's tragic side, for Oar
rell was at the mans mercy.
Still. except for the sinister appear
ance of the creature, there was no rca-
son why Darrell should fear any evil
at his hands.
"Wllo are these mem? demanded xii
..iar. and Immediately an officer who
had been sitting at the end of the table
arose and said:
This one claims TO be an American.
The other was q turnkey in the prison.
They had been serving with the de-
tenders when captured by our troops"
How Is fhisl" asked the prince, adj
dressing Darrell.
I'VE were with the defenders, but
not of them" replied Darrell I'VE of
fered no resistance to your forces.
''To the best ofmy information" said
Kilziar, you were among the prison
ers and escaped the massacre by agrce-
Ing to serve with the Russians. You
occupy the position of a noncombatant
bearing arms in violation of the laws
of war. 1t seems to me that you de-
serve death"
Darrell was mystified. He could see
no earthly reason why Kilziar should
treat him with severity.
"Will you answer me one question:
be said. "Is Vera Sheyaloff within the
Circassian linesg
.'She is princess of Circassia," said
Kllziar, salnting. and will be its queen
when the state is free
do you think she would desire my
death!"
Il don't think It would matter to
her one way or the other" replied XII
ziar. III there were any reason TO
suppose so, would spare you until
her wishes could be learned. In Paris
you befriepded her for time and then
betrayed her to the police to save your
own skin"
TT exclaimed Darrell, aghast at this
monstrous accusation.
so | have been led to believe" re-
turned kilziar, rolling his cigar be-
tween his teeth. WBut time presses. |
wish TO hear more evidence in regard
to this mans conduct when we took
the town"
At this as II the prince had touched
some sorEof secret spring, l,door open.
ed. and some soldiers entered With
them were q half dozen wretched old
men, seemingly citizens OF Gredskoy.
Soldiers and citizens testified like
school children reclting verses that
Darrell had been seen upon the wall in
Russian uniform. armed and fighting
like demon.
Enough said the prince at last
LET these two men be shot"
"At what hour?" asked the officer at
the end of the table.
when the moon rises" answered
Kilziar. removing his cigar and grin
ming like gorilla. 1T is rather darksI
outside just now See to 1t, varnek."
Zone moment" said Barrel. You
seem TO he stickler for military law.
Is this your idea of court martialW
Yes" said Kilziar calmly; lit is my |
idea. How do you like it?"
ut has the charm of novelty" an
ting the needs Of a cowardly murderer |
like Yourself"
Kilzlar chewed his cigar fiercely, as
II seeking a retort. Then suddenly he |
waved his arm toward Narnek.
''Takc them away" he said.
Immediately a guard fell in. around 1
the prisoners. and they were taken to k
q small room in the rear OF the bolse.
1t seemed to have been a3plaee for /
storing perishable food ,in.sainmrr, be
ing below the level Of the gresnd. hay
ing near the ceiling h ilftie slitspf at
window. barred abasceveTed WITH
wire screen and flush With The pnyc-
ment Of the court without
Darrell was n man not prone to de-
spalr but he could not see way OF I
safety here. II looked like the end OF
this world TO him. and the fate was
harder because il was incomprehcnsi-
bic. He could not understand Kilziar's
action. Surely il was not based upon
any idea of military justice. for 1t musi
have been obvious 10 the dullest mind
that Darrell would not seriously have 4
resisted the invaders Of Gredskov.
Could II be thar Kiiziar credited the
story that Darrell had betrayed Vera
70 the Partisan polieeg The idea be-
io1sed in the realms OF delirium. Then
where could 4 legitimate explanation
be found?
Il haven't time TO think II out" said
Darrell 20 himself Il must make some
sort Of play for liberty. Can my guards
he boughtf''
He still had tho money which had cs-
capped the searcbers In his cell al Siav-
ropol. and it was sim 10 tempt n sol
der. Darrell kicked upon the heavy
wooden door Of the room and ceied ont
in Russian 10 the guards. bat there
Always Rsmepsbsr zhe Pun .N.ne
| axatIve Bromo Oumine