Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-07
CHAPTER XVIII.
Six Loyal Men.
NEW YORK WORLD

From the Northern to the Southern from
the Eastern to the Western gates Sturatz-
berg was in an uproar. Excitement was in
every face and the widest rumors were
given credence. When the guards at the
gates were doubled and companies OF SOL
diers were met in the streets. 1t was firmly
believed that the brgands were marching
Ia overwhelming numbers upon the city
Comparatively few had heard the news
from the returned horsemens own lips. and
from much reporting the tale had grown
out of all knowledge. After the excitement
caused by the search for Capt. Ellerey the
city was ready to believe anything.
As the baron's servant had related, the
h0rsemen were loud in their boastinS of
loyalty. They had followed Capt. Ellerey
because they believed they were on the
kings service they said and never for
moment had they supposed otherwise until
they had the golden cross in Vasilici's
hands This was the story they told the
king when they were taken to the palace.
with much more concerning their own valor
when the brigands rushed upon them
They disagreed some what concerning one
auOrh-r's valor. each one striving to I'M
press the king in his own favor; but they
were of voice regarding Ellereys
trclchcry and the deceit which had been
practiced upon them.
What message or token could you sup
pose | was sending to the brigands? asked
the king.
1t was not for US to inquire: your maj
esty." they answered. I'VE knew Capt
Euercy. and we obeyed him"
In the main their story was true. II FL
leTry had mentioned the queen as their en-
ployer they had considered the king and
queen as one. and no question was put to
them to make them difrerentiate between
them.
They were dismissed. and the king was
for some hours Closeted with one two OF
his prominent ministers. They were men
the king trusted. but it was doubtful II
their opinion ever weighed with him to the
same extent that Lord Cioverton's did The
news astonished the ambassador. but was
reassuring. Whatever the cause. the
queens plans at any rate had miscarried.
aud the brigands were evidently not to be
tempted into the service OF Princess MART
Ia. For the moment there was no danger
To he apprehended from them.
Il think we may leave this turbulent
captain and his companions to Vasiiici's
tender mercies. my lord. said the king
IAN We have to guard against is a riot
among the dissatisfied In Sturatzberg'
Perhaps the ambassador felt sorry for
Ellerey. but there was nothing he could do.
Has your ma jesty supposed that
Princess Martha is. or has been lately. In
Sturatzberg?' he asked after a pause.
III is impossible. Your government has
sent her visiting your colonies. a delicate
attention. which. no doubt. she appre-
GATES.
Just so. and yet I had strange story
had ged to escape the delicate atten-
ton of my government and had returned
to Wallaria. Needless to say. did not be-
lieve the story. but the deliverance of her
token certainly lends credence to it,.
She might send her token said the
king: she would not venture herself in the
country, much less in SturatZberg.
That was my opinion" answered Clo-
Verton.
DO you mean that it is not your opinion
nOw?"
II am in transitional stage. your ma J.
esty. and have not yet decided
So there were troops of soldiers IN the
streets lest rioters should gather together
and do damage No one imagined there
was enough power behind them to really
menace the city. few men talked to-
gether excitedly in side streets, but these
dispersed quietly after little while with
out any interference from the soldiers.
The Countess Mavrodin drove in the Bots
as usual. She held little court. her car
riage drawn I'D to the sidewalk, and she
listened to and laughed at all the news.
What could II all matter to her so long as