Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-04
CHAPTER xvI-continued.

a council Of war was being held. The
murmur of the mems voices reached the
| plateau, but no words could be distinguish
ed. An oath from Vasilici sounded clearly
now and again. but that was all. Some
persuasion was apparently pressed upon
the chief which he jeered and laughed at
but there was shaking OF heads when he
pointed to the zigzag way. His followers
were not inclined to try that road to VIC
tory again. They had had their surfeit of
it. Vaslici was quick witted enough to see
that he must listen to counsel, and with
lowering visage he turned first to one and
then to another as they spoke Presently
one speaker seemed to please him, for his
features relaxed into a grim smile. A move
ment ran through the whole assembly,
! men turned to one another and nodded
their satisfaction. Some definite conclusion
had been arrived at.
They seem to have hit upon another way
of getting at u.s." said Stefan.
rs there another way?' asked Grigosie,
repeating the same question he had asked
before. No one answered him, nor did he
seem to expect an answer. He stood watch
ing the now moving mass below, little in
terest in his eyes. His alertness had de-
parted.
/ vasilici had disappeared into some path
way al the foot of the opposite slope, and
then the crowd fell aside for one man, who.
standing alone, took off his neckcloth and
waved it toward the plateau.
pdTiey, captain. Snal L answer.
said Stefan; and then, having permission.
he shouted: "Hallo."
II would speak with your captain" came
the answer.
I'm a mouthpiece, comrade, same as you
are. Speak on
II am commanded to offer you your lives
and freedom on one condition"
And the condition. Stefan shouted,
prompted by Ellerey
You are free to leave the pass unmo
Tested if you will deliver up the youth who
is of your company"
."We'H see you" Stefan began, without
any prompting.
WORD it you WILL" said Ellerey, "the
coarser the better. perhaps. for such a
devilish suggestion"
Watt" exclaimed Grigosie. ASK for
time to consider
Who wants to consider such a thing as
| that?' growled Stefan.
I'VE gain time" said Grigosie, turning to
Ellerey. Say you will consider the sugges-
| ton and answer them tomorrow. We sorely
| need rest; what does it matter how We
| gain it?"
MY gorge revolts against their even
fancying that we should consider such a
thing" said Stefan.
Command him, captain pleaded Orig
| oslo. I'm war and love everything is fair"
Ellerey gave way and Stefan shouted the
answer.
Until tomorrow" came the answer. 1.-THE
youth once in our hands, you are free to
depart. If he is not given up to us we will
have our revenge. though half the sons OF
these mountains fall in the gaining it: and
the longer that revenge is delayed the
| fiercer shall it be when it does come. Until
tomorrow. There shall be peace between
us until then"
But Wen keep watch by the gate for
all that growled Stefan. who was not in
the best Of tempers at having to answer
the brigands in this fashion.
There is another way. you see,' said
Grigose. II have got an answer to my
question:
hands. the rest of us will have said his
last prayer, or growled his last OATH
whichever pleases him best at the hour Of
departure"
THE question is not so easily settled.
Stefan" Grigosie said. Send Anton to the
gate. captain, while we discuss it,
Ellerey laughed at the lao s strange mood
as he entered the tower. Stefan followed
them and stood in the doorway.
THE question is worth consideration.
though you may not think so.' Grigosie
began. You have been deceived, captain,
and also those who served with you"
Enough of that, lad. 1t is past and the
present is our concern. If we come out of
this with our lives We may talk of pun
ishing those who deceived u.s.
.anould it not be a bitter punishment
qUeried the boy.
LAS bitter as the death to which they
have brought us face to face" said Ellerey
fiercely. his whole being reused for a
moment at the thought of the outrage prac-
ticed upon him.
But that revenge seems out of your
power" Grigosie went on For you and
Stefan there Is almost certain death to-
morrow week hence. it may be-
1t is very likely. 1 have looked death
" hen We look into his eyes for the last
time l warrant We shall not change color"
Except with the heat of our final strug-
GLE" said Stefan from the doorway
Your comrades have gone. You two
| stand alone" said Grigosie
With you and Anton said Stefan.
And we wish for no better companions"
have written fms to my history had it
not been for you, Grigosie."
The boy colored a little with pleasure
I were not of your choosing We forced
| ourselves into your company"
What Of it? 1 am glad. /" and then
| the look in Grigosie's eyes stopped Ellerey
| leaning position and stood upright In the
| entrance, looking straight at the boy.
BY - your our leave. l would become the
asked you to take me with you; now 1 ask
you to give me up"
plague upon you, lad, you almost anger
| me. You are beyond my understanding
| was Elerey's answer, but he still looked
Since 1 have deceived you it is fitting
that I should pay the penalty" said the
| at their hands than at yours. Grant me
this much and make an end of It,"
your exclaimed Ellerey. "You de-
ceived me! 1 do not believe it."
1T Is the truth. Stay, l would not have
| you think too Ill Of me. 1t was not done
wantonly Those who made me believe
that there was good chance of success
| misled me, but If 1 thought you too would
reap the benefit. it is none the less true that
l deceived you 1 came not from the queen;
I came to work this very thing that has
happened, the delivery of the golden cross
| instead Of the bracelet. 1 have played my
| hand and lost. Mine should be bitter pun
| ishment; you yourself have said it. Grant
me this only. that. 1 receive 1t from the
brigands yonder, and not from you"
Ellerey hardly seemed to hear the boys
latter words. The sudden confession was ali
his brain seemed to have the power to take
In. Stefan remained motionless, statue-like
still staring at Grigosie. For a space there
was silence In the tower.
Then Ellerey turned sharply upon the boy
| and laid his hand roughly on his shoulder
so roughly that he WINGED little, but show
ed no sign of fear.
You lie. Gngosie: confess that you lie
The box containing the token has never left
me, night or day. AS received it from her
majesty so 1t has always been. so deliv-
cred it. OF course you are lying"
You slept soundiy. captain. the night