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

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fools they are he said, with smile.
Markart found the imprisoned officers at
wine after their dinner; the men had resigned
themselves to fate and gone to bed. He
delivered his message with his usual urbane
simplicity.
Lieutenant Rastatz giggled uneasily--he
had high falsetto laugh. Lieutenant Sterkoff
frowned peevshly. Captain Mistitch ripped
out vicious oath and brought his great fist
down on the table. The evening ism t
finished vet" he said. ' But for this cursed
fellow, | should have been dining with Vera
at the Hotel de Paris tonight
Whereupon proper condolences were offered
to their Captain by his subaterns, who, in
fact, held him in no small degree of fear. He
was huge fellow. six feet three and broad as
door, great bruiser, and duelist OF fame
his nickname was Hercules. His ford face
was flushed now with hot anger and he drank
his wine in big gulps. How long are we to
stand it?" he growled. Are we school
girls1"
Come, come, it's only for one evening,
pleaded Markart. "One quiet evening won't
hurt even Captain Hercules.
The subaterns backed him with laugh
but Mistitch would have none of it. He sat
gowering and drinking still, not to be soothed
and decidedly dangerous. From across the
square came the sound OF music and singing
from the Golden Lion; Again Mistitch banged
the table. Listen there!" he said That's
pleasant hearing while we're shut up like rats
in trap and all Slavna laughing at usi
Markart shrugged his shoulders and smoked
in silence. To argue with the man was to
court a quarrel; he began to repent of his we'll
meant visit
Mistitch drained his glass But some of
us have a bit of spirit left, and Master
Sergius shall seep' he went He put out
great hand on either side and caught Sterkoff
and Rastatz by their wrists. We're the
fellows to show himl" he cried
Sterlloff seemed no bad choice for such an
enterprise wiry active fellow, with deter
mined. if disagreeable, face and a nasty squint
in his right eye. But Rastatz, with his slim
figure, weak mouth. and high laugh, promised
no great help; yet in him fear of Mistitch might
overcome all other fear
Yes, we three'1 show hirnl And now" he
rose to his feet, dragging the pair up with him
for song and bottle at the Golden Lion!
Rastatz gasped; even Sterkoff started
than mad joke, Cashiering the least
punishment which would await the act
Yes, we three together He released
them for a moment and caught up his sword
and cap. Then he seized Rastatz's wrist
again and squeezed it savagely. Come out
of your trap with me, you rat" he growled
in savage amusement at the young man
frightened face
Sterkof gained courage I'm with you
Hercules!" he cried Pm for to-night-the
Devil take tomorrow morning.
You're all drunk, said Markart in despair
4'We'll be drunken before the nights out -
snarled Mstitch And if meet that fellow
when I'm drunk even being Prince won't
help him!" He laughed loudly. Then
there might be a chance for young Alexis
after al!''
The words alarmed Markart Young Count
Alexis was the son of the King and Countess
Ellenburg. A chance for young Alexis! For
Heavens sake, go to bed!" he implored.
Mistitch turned on him. 81 don't want to
quarrel with anybody in Slavna tonight. un-
less meet one man. But you can't stop me-
Markart and you'll only do mischief by trying
Now my boysi
They were with him-Sterkoff with CLEAN