Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-10

NJ I,
apartments. Natcheff and Lepage carry the
King into his bedroom lay him the bed;
stay there till l call you.
Countess General, l invite
|. !. /. !. |. |.
your earnest attention"
StenovicS' mind eXcelled in
the waiting game, the slow
tortuous approach the inch
bv-inch advance of leisurely
diplomacy For him this crisis
was at first too sudden. The
swift and daring intellect OF
Stafnitz naturally and inevi-
tably took the lead; his strong
will fascinated his confederates.
Is this to be the begin
ming or the end?" he asked.
" For US and our friends, which
If we send courier to Praslok to call
King Sergius to his capital, what
then? For you Countess and your
son, oblivion and obscurity at Dobra-
va-for all the rest of your life, just
that! For YOU, General and for me
and friends-yes, you too, Mar
kart-our congo, more or less C1v1lly
given. There won't be more insig
nifcant men in all Slavna the day King Serglus
enters. But there's no King Sergus yet
Stenovics had regained the use of his brain; his
eyes grew distant in deep meditation. Countess
Ellenburg looked eager and grim; her lips could
not false oath--well, she was not asked to
swear any oath now. Markart could not think;
he stood staring at Stafntz.
1" In half hour that courier must start for Pras
1ok, if he starts at all. Of all things, we mustn't
hesitate"
He had painted the result to them of the coming
effort it entailed the end of hopes, of place, of
power or influence. There future for those
three in Kravonia if King Sergius came. And
Markart of course, seemed no more than one OF
Stenovicss train
And if the courier doesn't START" asked Stem
OWES. He took out and lit cigar, asking no
leave of the Countess; probably he hardly knew
that he smoking it.
Stafnitz looked at his watch. Five o'clock
We have twenty-four hOurs-it would be risky to
keep the secret longer. There's not much time
we must be prompt. But mustn't sacrifice
ANYTHING to hurry. For instance, it would look
odd to present the Kings orders to Baroness
Dobrava in the middle of the night. She'd smell
rat if she's as clever as they say And SO would
the Prince, think. l could have hundred men
at Praslok by midnight but shouldn't propose to
have them there before eleven o'clock tomorrow.
Well they could be back here by FIVE in the after
noon In the course of the day we'll occupy all
the important points of the city with troops we
trust-trust in the absence of the Prince, l
mean. Then in the evening soon see how
matters have gone at Praslok, we proclaim King
Alexisl"
The Countess gave little shver-whether of
fear of eagernesS it impossible to tell. Stem
OWES drummed his fingers on the table and turned
his cigar quickly round and round in his mouth.
Markart had recovered his cearness of mind and
closely watched all the scene.
The Countess suddenly, in strong agitation.
II can't bear It'll" she said. With him lying
there! Let me go Presently-Presently you shall
tell anything
Stenovics laid down his cigar and went to her
Wait in there, he pointed to Natcheffs room,
till you're quite composed. Then go to your
room and wait till | come Mind, Countess no
Stafnitz shrugged his shoulders. She'll be all
right" he said to Markart, with a passing
smile.
Il think she was fond of the King said Markart
Stenovics returned. "Now!" he said seating
himself again and resuming his cigar, You sug-
gest that still that order for the arrest of
Baroness Dobrava?"
Its signed Alexis and King Alexis lives till
FIVE tomorrow. Moreover, if all goes well, King