Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-22

Stenovics would be leaving the Palace, and it
was meet that he should know of all this as
soon as possible. Markart made up his mind
that he would slip away soon but still the
interest of the scene, the fascination of this
prelude-such it seemed to him-held his
steps bound.
Suddenly a young man of aristocratic ap-
pearance rose from a table at the end OF the
room, where he had been seated in company
with pretty and snartly dressed girl. A
graceful gesture excused him to his fair COM
panion, and he threaded his way deity be-
tween the jostling tables to where Mistitch sat
He wore court dress and a decoration. Mar
kart recognized in the young man Baron Won
Holbrandt, junior attache of the German
Legation in Slavna
Hollbrandt bowed to Mistitch, with whom
he was acquainted. then bent over the giant
burly back and whispered in his ear. Take
a friends advice, Captain" he said I've
been at the Palace and know the Prince had
permission to withdraw at half-past nine.
He was to return to Slavna then-to duty.
Come, go back. You've had your SPREE"
by the Lord, I'm obliged to you'll" cried
Mistitch. Lads, we're obliged to Baron Won
Hollbrandtl Could you tell me the street he
means to come by? Because he rose to his
feet again" we'll go and meet himl''
Half the hall heard him, and the speech was
soon passed on to any out of hearing. A sparse
cheer sputtered here and there but most were
silent. Rastatz gasped again, while Sterkoff
1TOWned ana Squ1nJeQ UNANIMOUSLY
Hollbrandt whispered once more, then stood
erect, shrugged his shoulders, bowed, and
walked back to his pretty friend. He sat
down and squeezed her hand in apology; the
pair broke into laughter a moment later
Baron Won Hollbrandt felt that he at least had
done his duty.
The three had drunk and drunk; Rastatz
was silly, Sterloff vicious the giant Mistitch
iovially and cruelty reckless, exalted not only
by liquor but with the sense Of the part he
played. Suddenly from behind the glass
screen rose a mighty roar:
Long live Mistitch! Down with tyrants
Long live Captain Hercules"
1t was fuel to the flames. Mistitch drained
his glass and hurled it on the floor We'll,
who follows me?" he cried.
Half the men started to their feet the other
half pulled them down. Contending currents
of feeling through the crowd; a man was
reckless this moment, timid the next to one
his neighbor gave warning, to another inspira-
ton. They seemed poised on the point of a
great decision. Yet what was it they were
deciding? They could not tell
Markart suddenly forgot his caution. He
rushed to Mistitch, with his hands out and
For Gods saker' loud on his lips.
"You7" cried Mistitch by Heavenl
what else does your General wantf What else
does Matthias Stenovics want? Tell me thatr'
silence followed-of dread suspense. Men
looked at one another in fear and doubt Was
that true which Mistitch said? They felt as
ordinary men feel when the edge of the curtain
is lifted from before high schemes or in
trigues of the great.
IF | should meet the Prince tonight,
wouldn't there be news for Stenovics?' cried
Mistitch, with of laughter
If he should meet the Princel The men at
the tables had not bargained for that. Mistitch
they admired and feared; but they feared the
proud Prince too; they had many of them felt
the weight of his anger Those who had stood
up sank back in their places.
Markart had shrunk back; but Mistitch
hurled a taunt at him and at all the throng
" You're ours one and ALL But I'll put a
heart in you yet And now" he burst into
new OUTLAW" my young friends and | are
going for a walk What, aren't the streets of
Savna free to gentlemen? My friends and
are going for walk. If we meet anybody on
the pavement-well, he must take to the road.
We're going for a walkl "
Amid dead silence he went out, his two
henchmen after him. He and Sterkof walked
firm and true-Rastatz lurched in his gait
A thousand eyes followed their exit, and from
five hundred threats went up a long sigh of
relief that they were gone. But what had
they gone to do? The company decided that
it was Just as well for them, whether col
lectively or as individuals, not to know too
much about that Let it be hoped that the
cool air outside would have a SOLDERING effect
and send them home to bed Yet from behind
the glass screen there soon arose again a busy
murmur of voices, like the hum of a beehive
threatened with danger.