Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-06

a
been put on the situation through her
fist down on the table No. ~ he almost almost
shouted. They'll think you re afraid"
" Yes, they'll think that-but not all of
them. Stenovics will know better and Stat
nitz too; They'll know do it, not because | m
afraid but in order that never need be.
Then Stenovics won't give them
think he must give anything or every
thing for Mistitch." He rose and paced rest
lessy about the room Sophy still followed
him with her eyes; but she alone of the three
offered no argument and made no suggestion
The Prince stood still for a moment in deep
thought. Then his face cleared He came
quickly up to SoPhy, took her hand and
kissed it.
Thank you" he said. Il don't know how
1t Will turn out for me; the case is too difficult
for me to be able to foresee that For me it
may be mastery always thought it would
mean that Or perhaps somehow it may turn
to rum. He pressed Sophy's hand now and
smiled at her. She understood and returned
his smile, But the question isn't one of nv
interest. My duty is plain"
lie walked quickly to his writing-table and
unlocked a drawer. He returned to the table
with an envelop in his hand, and sat down
between Marie and Zerkovitch
The orderly entered again, announcing Stem
OWES.
a. Let him come in here" said the Prince.
His manner grew lighter and the smile which
had Comforted Sophy remained on his face
he looked at the Princes three companions
with visible access of embarrassment At
a nod from the Prince, the orderly placed a
chair for the General and withdrew
The same matter we discussed last night
General?"
There can be but one matter in the
thoughts of all of us now, sir. Pardon me-
understood Your Royal Highness would re-
ceive me alone"
The Prince gave low laugh when one
bargains, shouldn't one have witnessed"
In an instant Stenovics laid hold of the sig
nifcant word; it made him forget his request
eyes. Bargains You're ready now to"
La nnH porte conSeH" He drew paper
from the envelop, unfolded it. and handed it
across the table You remember that-a
memorandum sent to you three months ago,
in my capacity as Commandment?
Stenovics looked at the paper. &C. remem-
Der sir
It's Endorsed in your hand?''
The Endorsement runs: Impossible
Rather curt, General.
The note was for my private use, but
Your Royal Highness particularly pressed for
the return of the document"
l did. And. after all why use more words
than necessary? One will still be enough
but not that one"
I'm not following you, sir, said Stenovics
The Prince leaned across the table to him.
" In our conversation last night you asked me
to do very remarkable thing and to get this
lady here he indicated Sophy-"to do it.
too. You remember? We were to think that
at night, in the Street of the Fountain, in the
light of the Examinations, Sergius Stefano-
witch and Nkoas Stafnitz looked and sounded
just the same. | didn't see my way to that.
and didn't think this lady would see hers.
1t seemed difficult
Stenovics was in a strain of close attention.
The paper from the envelop cracked under
the trembling of his hand.
Now if we had such memory as Lieuten-
ant Rastatz is happy enough to possess. the
Prince pursued, " or if Colonel Stafntz had
taken us into his confidence about his quarrel
with Captain Mistitch! All that was not SO
last night And SO Captain Mistitch must be
tried and shot, instead of suffering some not
very severe disciplinary punishment for braw-
ing in the street and having a quarrel with
his superior officer"
Stenovics marked every word and under
stood the implied offer The offer was good
enough; Stafnitz himself would not and could
not ask that notice whatever should be
taken. The trifling nature of the punishment
would in itself be a great victory But the
price? He was to hear that in a moment
Sergius Stefanovitch-Nikolas Stafnitzi
Which was it, General? It's only changing two
words, yet what difference it makesl"
The difference of peace tonight Or
Stenovics waved his hand toward the city
Brt the Prince iuterr11Dted him "Never