Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-11-30

acat. friends" he purred. /
You do nor quite understand When !
we first came into this room I sug-
gosted that lots should be drawn. and |
he who was favored with the lucky T.
number should Gre. concealed in the F.
gloom. that none might be sure who |
had been chosen 20 SNUFF out Ferdi- !
nand's little soul But since our
friend Kuhn loyalty has been ques-
toned, it is he who shall have that
honor. and with Gornjrs dagger no
shall do the work. And lest an acct l
dent should happen. or lest his cour-
age should fal him. Bratlnau and I
win keep our revolvers think there
IS none TO question our loyalty?"
Kuhn had grown frighfully pale;
he trembled. But he spoke no word.
by this arrangement." continued
Starva. the loyalty OF Kuhn OF Mace
donia viii be established. And g." he
was glazing az GinEaja and Count
Piteschu." there are any mad enough
TO dream OF disloyaity az this late
hour. and harbor treachery. they viii
be powerlesa
Starva's ruse was hailed with
shouts OF approval GornH. IgnNtien.
and Gortschakon strobe 90 the table
90 the end Of the hall and flung down
their weapons denantly Glngaja re-
luctantly followed their example
pitescht folded his arms denantly.
standing motionloss.
This SIS ohild's play" he muttered.
with pale lips
"Neverth less" whispered Braunau
in his ear you VIII obey. and quick
ly. by an Che saints. Starva. think
YOUR plan has proved wise one
Come sir we are waiting or are
YOU $50 ignorant of The rules Of eti-
I quettc tha. rou Insist in taking prece-
dence over kinse'
with gesture % despair Count
/ rtteschu walked slowly 90 the table
and leit l.s revolver there.
Now. freud Kuhn. we are waiting
only for YOU" cried Starva sharply
q have 20 arms" answered the
| Door wretch with a sob.
You shall be armed presently"
cried Gorni
Now. jacques. you may go. Out
with the candles. Gornji and *
naten The rest OF you remain
/ quietly as YOU value your lives You
VIII find your man defenseless.
Jacques But II he proves trouble
some you have only 10 call and
will come You have taken care OF
Alphonse2"
4 have put him to sleep" he
chuckled
AS JaQues lifted the tapestry Locke
choked him into silence. Together we
carried him struggling up the hidden
staircase and burst into the anteroom
| OF the tower Not until we had flung
him breethllss into the room OF the
safe. and had locked the door, did
we answer Forbes frenzied questions
Locke gripped his arm for silence.
Quick, there is not a moment to
lose. Have you arms?"
NO." growled Forbes. ready for ac-
ton.
In the first room to the right OF the
corridor" ranted Madame de Var
,nier. in The drawer OF the cabinet
near the door"
Then come And you two stay
here. There is mans work below"
We stole silently down the stairs.
Locke and myself in the lead, to the
cabinet, where both Locke and Forbes
chose their revolvers.
DO you, Capt. Forbes, make your
way along the gallery until you come
20 the spiral staircase at the end of
the hall" commanded. briefly.
When ] appear at the main stairway
with Locke. reach the hall with no
delay. There is a table by the little
stairway; there are arms on IT; let
no one approach that table until
Locke or myself have reached your
side. Now then. Locke. are we ready?"
We had ficd silently into the cor
ridor. Forbes sped with caution TO
his vantage ground. Locke was al
ready approaching the main staircase
when ] seizei him by the arm.
Il am gong 20 fool Starva 1 am
going to call for help He will think
It JACQUES. As he comes, shall
take care Of him. Brainau is your
man. Walt IN he shows himself. and
mind You, aim straight"
raised my voice in a cry OF dis