Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-09
CHAPTER XIX-Continued.

Anton was standing in exactly the Same
place as when Ellerey had mounted the
steps. but the expression on his face had
changed. 1t was quite evident that in the
interval some words had passed between
him and Grigosie, and that, whatever the
subject of the conversation. anton disap-
proved of it. Grigosie was leaning against
the wall counting the cartridges he still
had in his possession.
I'VE have stopped their hammering for
while" Ellerey said. While the loose
stones on the roof last. we have another
weapon of defense"
do l relieve Stefan?' asked Grigosie.
mo; Anton. Rest while you can. There
will be little enough sleep for any of US.
And little enough food, too said Orig
oslo, when Anton had cast himself down In
a corner.
I'VE are truly in a sad case. princess
"Grigosie. please; let me remain Grigosle.
1t will be easier for both of u.s."
She crossed over to the steps which led to
the upper chamber and sat down. -,
AS you say, our position Is hopeless,
Grigosie went on. I'm SturatZberg there
are some who would strike blow for
Martha but no one knows of Grigosie. 1t
is q poor end to make. captain. l have had
my moments of despair, but whenever
have thought or 1dllure L nave never pic-
tured such a miserable failure as this. L
was prepared to face death and disaster,
but If death came 1 meant that 1t should
be glorious, that it should come in a fashion
to set Europe ringing with the news II
was a magnificent setting / had arranged
for myself-the going down Of a sun in pur-
pie and red and gold
Even as it is we make mountain legend
of it, said Ellerey. with a short laugh;
land legend lives long. longer than fame,
Va, n hp1nR
membered by the generations to come.
Il have brought you to this. so it is your
privilege to laugh at me-, she salu
AT least, we can be honest wi,h each
other now" said Ellerey. AT the best we
can only keep these wolves at bay for a
few hours Though these old walls stand,
we have little food little ammunition:
Death has very great terrors for me- L
purpose of showing how a man can fan,
and having been unjustly robbed of my
honor you succeed in robbing me of my
self-respect by making me lift my hand
against you-a woman
II am sorry. Question me as you will.
How could you hope for anything else
but failure from such a mad enterprise
he asked.
Capt. EIlerey, do you remember what I
said when we met on the downs that day!'
Every word
That I spoke truly you now know. You
know how my claim stands, and whether
YOU love my cause or not, you must recog-
nize the justice of IT. While 1 was in Eng
land, kept there to be out of the way my
friends were working in SturatZberg. My
adherents my well-wishers, are In every
grade of society there, but there was one
man on whom l thoroughly depended. He
was in constant communication with me.
and one of his great schemes, plan which
he swore was ripening every day, was get
ting the brigands to espouse my cause. To
these hills have focked all the malcontents
of the country. They are not ropbers;
they are political outcasts many of them,
and should welcome one who Is by right
their ruler. So said this man, so he swore
they were ready to do. but constantly ad-
vised a little further delay. You cannot I'M
what this waiting day after day.
month after month, meant to me. 1mpa-
tient in heart, | was yet patient In acton
might still be quietly waiting but for two
things. First / learned that to be put
further out Of the way I was to visit Eng
lands colonies, a pleasure trip graciously
arranged for me by your government: sec
ondly | was informed that the man l trust
ed was scheming for his own ends more
than for mine. 1t was the parting Of the
ways, Capt. Ellerey. and l had to choose.
Another stepped on board the vessel placed
at my disposal in my stead. and while she
was taken to the colonies l came secretly
to Sturatzberg. There I have since lived,
watching and waiting, in the house of the
woman who devised and helped me to carry
out this plan
"A woman" Ellerey exclaimed.
Countess Mavrodin. whose power is only
It's existence Ny first work was to watch
the man whom l believed had been working
for me. l quickly found that my interests
were not first In his consideration, but I
learned also that he feared his own schemes
would fail should some unlucky chance
bring me to Sturatzberg. In this fear I
saw my hope. Was this unnatural?"
us this man De Froilette?" asked Ell
lerey
He is the man Unconscious of my
presence in the city. he continued to work
against me. Queen Elena had now become
his dupe. The men in the hills would help
to set her alone upon the throne In Wal
laria, and the king once got rid Of and the
in insurrection, De Froilette would
have sold it to Russa-more. would have
aspired to the hand OF the queen. Perhaps
he loves her. perhaps he only loves the pow
er he would gain. His conspiracy was we'll
laid, and he only wanted a man to lead, to
bear the brunt of the fight, to pay the pen
atty should failure come, while he remained
an uninterested citizen ready to be the first
to cry out againt the rebellion II necessary.
His choice fell upon Desmond Ellerey."
Ellerey did not answer. This recital was
making many things clear to him.
II knew something Of this captain" the
princess went on. 'In my heart had long
ago chosen him to lead my cause. I tested
his courage on the night I believed he had
received the token. 1t was I, Capt. Ellerey,
who ran with you along the deserted streets
from the Altstrasse that night; 1t was
who when only numbers had succeeded in
binding you, came and looked Into your
eyes and was satisfied.
yet you didn't trust me enough to whis-
per your name" said Ellerey.
"At court you came under the influence of
Frina Mavrodin, she went on hastily.
Perhaps, even with her. my cause took
second place then. You were stanch to the
mission you had undertaken; she could not
turn you from that. although she Influenced
you in another way"
What do you mean. princessf'
1T have heard her speak Of you. I have
noted the light in her eyes: do you think
could be deceived?'
And DO you think. princess, that I have
no memory? Since that morning on tho
downs"
Her success did not help my cause.
therefore what was 1t to NOR cried Martha,
suddenly starting to her feet. TT was time
for me to act. You know the rest. There
are spies everywhere. and knew when the
token was given, how 1t was sent, and in
closed in a similar fashion I had my own.
De Frolette was afraid of me. therefore 1t
was possible that the brigandS or some of