New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-05-27

trot and soon covered his first stage the five miles
to the Old wooden bridge where the road leaves
Inc course OF the hrath. IS carried over the rve-
ana strikes northeast toward the hills At this
point he received the first intimation thar hrs
Journey was not 10 be solitary as he had sup
posed. P
When he was halfway across the bridge he heard
what sounded Ike an echo OF the beat OF his horses
hoOtS on the timherS behind him The tbino
seemed odd. He halted a moment to listen The
sound OF his horses hoofs STONED but the echo
went on. II was no echo then he WAS not the only
traveller that way. He pricked his horse with the
spur: regalnlng the road, he heard the timbers of
the bridge StIl sounding. He touched his horse
again and went forward triSklV. He had no reason
10 associate his fellow travellers errand with his
own, but he was sure that when General Stenovics
ordered despatch he would not be pleased TO learn
that his messenger had been passed by another
WaNtarer the road.
Bat the stranger TOO was in hurry, it seemed;
Markart could not shake HIM of. On the contrary
he drew nearer. The road was still broad and good
Markart Jried Canter The stranger broke into
a carter At any rate, IL makes Tor good time.
lhought Markart, smiling uneaSllV. In fact, the
two found themselves drawn into sort OF race
On they went. covering the miles al a quick sus-
tanned trot eXinlaratIng TO the men, but rather
strain on Their horses Both well mounted
Markart wondered who the stranger with such a
good horse was. He turned his head. but could
see only the sort OF blur as he himself made;
part OF the blur however. seemed OF lighter color
than his dark overcoat and bay horse pro-
duced
Markart's horse recked: its rider avoke 10 the
fact that he pounding his mount without dong
much good 10 himself He would see whether the
unknown meant TO pass HIM was content to keep
on equal terms. HIS pace fell a gentle trot;
did the strangers Marlart walked his horse for
half mile, SO did the stranger. ThenceforWard they
went easily, each keeping his position, TIL Markart
came 10 where the road forked-on the right to
Dobrava, the left 10 Prasok and Nolseni. Mark
art drew rem and waited he might just as well see
where the stranger was going.
The stranger came mp and Markart started
violently. The lighter tinge OF the blur was ex-
planned. The stranger rode white horse Il
flashed on Aarkart that the Prince rode a white
charger and that the animal had been IN Slavna
the day hetorc-hc had seen II being exercised. He
Iieered into the darkness. TRYING TO the mans
face. the effort WAS OF no avail. The stranger came
10 a stand beside hmm. and Tor few moments
neither moved. Then the stranger turned his
NolSeni them Narkart followed his example
He knew why ID did not speak TO the stranger,
.at he Was wondering Why on earth the stranger
did not speak 10 fl-u- He went on wondering. TIL
!, occurred TO hn thar perhaps the stranger was
exactly the same state 81 mind.
There was no question OF carteTing, even OF
tratting now. The road rose steepy, II was loose
and toundcrous from heavy ram, great stones lay
about. dangerous traps ior careless rider The
horses lahOrcd- N TIE same moment, with the
-stutsrstlnct Narkart and the stranger disnounted
before them. deeper black, rose the gate tower OF
t.e Castle OF Pra~lok The stranger had fallen
l,-le behind again. now he drew level. They were
almost opposite The castle.
q dog barled from the stables Another an
cred from the castle. Two more took up the
--o- the stables, the castle guardian redoubled
responsive efforts. \ man came running out
The stables with . lantern; a light flashed IN
doorway 81 the castle. Both Markart and the
longer came 10 a standstl. The man with the
raised il high IN the ar 70 see the faces OF the
They saw one another's faces, too. The first
was 70 send them into a fit OF laughter
-roIl tension. "a recognition OF the ahSurdltN
winch their diplomatic caution had led them
.@E the powers Captain Markartl