New-York tribune., 1906-04-22

liked Markart. - eS-and tell them What
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.
had a high falsettO laugh. Lieutenant Sterkott
frowned peevishly, Captain Mistitch ripped
out vicious oath and brought his great fist
down on the table. The evening isn't
finished yet" 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 subalterns, who, in
fact, held him in no small degree OF fear. He
was huge fellow, six feet three and broad as
a door, a great bruiser, and duelist of fame
his nickname was Hercules. His fiOrid face
was flushed now with hot anger and he drank
his wine in big gups How long are we to
stand it," he growled. Are we school
girlse"
Come, come, it's only for one evening"
pleaded Markart "One quiet evening won t
hurt even Captain Hercules" q"
The SubalternS backed him with laugh
but Mistitch would have none of it. He sat
glowering 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 therel' he said. That 5
pleasant hearing while we're shut up like rats
in a trap and all Slavna laughing at u.s.
Markart shrugged his shoulders and smoked
in silence To argue with the man was TO
court 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 so Master
Sergius shall see!" he went on. He put out
4 great hand on either side and caught Sterkof
and Rastatz by their wrists. We're the
fellows to show HIM" he cried
SterkOtf seencd no bad choice for such an
enterprise WHY 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; vet in him fear of MIstitch might
overcome all other fear
Yes, we three II show him, And now" he
rose to his feet, dragging the pair up with him
for song and a bottle at the Golden LionN'
Rastatz gasped; even Sterkotf started.
Markart laughed it could be nothing more
than mad Joke. Cashiering was the least
punishment which would await the act
Yes, we three together He released
them Tor 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 S
frightened face.
Sterkoff gained courage. I'm with YOU,
Hercules" he cried I'm for to-night-the
Devil take tomorrow morning."
YOU re all drunk, said Markart in despair
ing resignation
"WeH be drunken before the nights out. -
snarled Mistitch And If meet that fellow
when I'm drunk, even being Prince won't
help him!" He laughed loudly Then
there might be chance for young Alexis
after all'
The words alarmed Markart. Young Count
AleXis was the son of the King and Countess
Ellenburg. \ chance for young Alexis For
Heavens sake, go to bedi" he impored
Mistitch turned on him. Il 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 bovsl"
They were with him-Sterkoff with a gleam