Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-11
CHAPTER II-continued.


yer candlesticks. Although not exactly an
epicure. De Froilette understood a supper Of
this description as perhaps only French
man can, and his taste in wines was excel
lent He led the conversation into general
topics, talked of Paris and London with
equal ease and knowledge, and Of Berlin.
Vienna, and st. Petersburg only a little less
Intimately.
"I have said I am cosmopolitan" he ex-
planned. after all it is the greatest ma
tionallty to which man can belong. Coffee
in the library, Francois"
De Froilette ushered his guest into an
other room, which from floor to ceiling was
lined with books-books on all subjects and
in many languages. A huge writing table,
Uttered with letters and foreign newspapers,
occupied the center of the apartment. which
was evidently working room, though lux
urious in all its appointments. De Froflette
did not speak until the servant had placed
the coffee side table and had left the
room, when he turned suddenly toward Ell
lerey.
II followed you today, monsieur; it was
not chance meeting.
II am not surprised" said Elerey.
Twice before you overlook me l heard the
sound of galloping horses, and was prepared
for an enemy"
"And instead, behold friend" De Froil-
cite laughed, pushing a silver box of ciga-
rettes across the table. You must bear
with me If / am prosy for time. 1 can
promise you that the end of the story is
better than the beginning
Ellery settled himself to listen attentively.
1.-The history of this country, monsieur,-1s
composed as it were of the rough ends and
edges of the histories of other countries:
Every crisis in Europe causes trouble or
some kind here, and first one family and
then another have become paramount In
Sturatzberg. All the powers have recog-
be kept inviolate; so it is that this is an in
dependent kingdom today. The position is
unique and gives the king, within his own
realm, a power more autocratic than the
cars should he care to use 1t, since ne mas
only, to play off one great power against an
other to preserve himself from attack. You
follow me?'
Ellerey murmured an assent, wondering
what this recital was to lead to-.
TT Is clear that his majesty does not use
this power" De Froilette went on. He
may be timid, he may lack ambition, we
will speak no treachery; but IN times past
there have been ambitious monarchs, and
still little has happened. Why? Because,
monsieur, recognizing that this country is
one of the chief factors in preserving the
peace Of Europe. the nations have sent the
ablest men they possess as their ambassa-
doris to Stura tzberg. Your British minister
is a case in point The result is that to the
present time no monarch has risen with
courage enough, allied to sufficient political
acumen, to take his own course, carry IL 10
success Have you ever realized, monsieur,
that Sturatzberg might play with the ma
lions of Europe as gambler plays his
hand of cards?"
II am no diplomatist." Ellerey answered.
De Froilette shrugged his shoulders as
though the point were imnaterial to him,
and went on:
'To all appearance, the facts are today as
they have always been. with one great ana
Important excepton-the people. The people
RI the sensation that they are
ruled and oppressed, for so they consider 1t.
by foreigners. They have secretly preached
to them and they understand, what posi-.
bilities there are; and wave of national
enthusiasm is silently stealing through the
length and breadth of the land. The holder
spirits have already declared against law
and order. as it exists. by flying to the mis-
and assoc.ating themselves with the brig
ands there. The forces under the outlaw
Vasilici. I am told. increase daily. You
have heard Of him. Capt. Ellerey?
"And have tried to find him. Ellere :,I an n,
the mountains was always deserted when
We got there.
of the cause will be found. The people will
remember that there are others with an
equal, or better. right to the throne than
his majesty, and then you will have the
revolution"
II presume, monsieur, the leader is found.
and only awaits the opportunity" said
Ellerey.
You are right. captain. she is found,
De Froilette answered slowly.
"A woman 1sllerey exclaimed. and he
felt the color flush 10 his face as he spoke.
He forgot for a moment that his sword was
pledged to the king. His thoughts went back
10 that breezy morning ON the downs. ana
the tall, straight girl with her bright hair
streaming in the wind.
De Froilette laughed
"A woman, Capt Ellerey, who destines
YOU for high service. Let her plead for
herself" and as he spoke he opened the
door and stood aside with bowed head.
woman entered Tall she was, and of
imperial mien. Diamonds glistened in the
coils of her raven hair. Her face was beau
tiful. her smiling lips and deep. soft eyes,
full Of sympathy and tenderness. seemed In
capable of any stern expression of anger.
A woman born to rule born to lead, but not
the woman Ellerey had expected to see.
II was the queen. and Ellerey bowed low
before her.
"You have not been unnoticed by us, Capt
Fllerey," she said in low voice. land we
would have you more constantly at court
IT shall obey your majesty" Ellerey an
swered.
'.There are stirring times at hand" she
went on; ''times in which men may strive
and win His majesty, the king, Is fettered,
politically bound by conflicting interests.
and by that. He is unable to move as MS
people would have him. 1t is for me to act
for HMM this matter, secretly. until the
Elierey, am queen as his majesty Is king.
with equal rights. not as consort merely.
Your sword is pledged to me as to the king.
Therefore I can demand your service. l
prefer to ask 1t"
"Your majesty is gracious"
at will be secret service, for the present
secret even from the king. l may require 1t
tomorrow, a week hence or it may be In
months time. cannot tell. 1tTs perilous
service, but that will not deter Capt. Des-
mond Ellerey. May I claim your full and
perfect allegiance?'
IT hold myself entirely at your majesty's
disposal
you shall not find me ungrateful," she
said, giving him her hand. Choose you
dozen stout men on whom you can rely.
Good pay you may promise them. Have
them I'm readiness to set out at an hours
notice Then wait and watch. We shall
call you into private audience ON some ecca-s
sion either personally or by Monsieur De
Froilette and now that we have found the
man, may the time be quick in coming"
There was delicate hattery i'll her words
and manner, vet withal perfect conscious
ness Of her own power. the power that
beauty gives. Ellerey felt the magic OF her
influence, and his eyes looked unfinchingiy
into hers for moment; the woman In her
understood what manner OF man he was in
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