Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-25
PRINCESS MARTHA
BY PERCY BREBNER.
Copyright. 1905. 7. ]. Mcbride & Son.l

signs like a gathering storm. hear things,
Monsieur Francois. 1 know"
The willy Frenchman nodded sympatheti-
cally. 60.
Perhaps might find market for what
That's been in my mind these many
days" Stefan answered IT'S the first
word that sticks in my throat. I've never
let out secrets before. maybe because no
man has told me any. Come, the wine
may loosen my tongue"
He took two tankards and key from
the shelf, and led the way along a pas
sage The Frenchman followe- eagerly.
laughing at his companions simplicity. 1t
would be strange II Stefan could not tell
him some news which would be useful to
Monsieur De Froilette.
''You have your wine In safe keeping"
he said. Stefan went down into a eel
lar bidding Francois to wait until he had
struck light.
would you have keep 1t in the door
way for every thirsty throat in SturatZ-
berg? Come down now. Sit you on that
empty barrel there Here's wine should
make you dream to your hearts content.
The captain will think that it has leaked
somewhat. Scurvy treatment Monsieur
Francois. to have such wine in hiding and
never ask a soldier comrade to pass an
opinion. So we help ourselves.
ITO his wine and to his secrets. eh?'
Stefan drowned his loud laughter in
copious draught, while Francois slipped
with the air Of connoisseur.
FIT for a kings palate" he murmured
Say rather for the gods. Nectar, mon
s1eur, nectar! My secrets bubble to my
tongue the wine bubbles to the surface"
Turn them into good money, Stefan.
After all, what is this English captain to
your
The soldier set down his tankard and
lowered his voice into confidential whis-
per.
There are some who take me for fool"
he said. coming nearer to his companion.
nov fntr rnftr i'm 10 ct fDh
and there have been watchers in the
street"
watchers? Go on. Stefan, what else?"
said the Frenchman, eagerly.
AYE, l saw one draw back a blind In
the house opposite not an hour ago. What
do you make of that, Monsieur Francois?'
The answer was a smothered gurgle, for
a cloth had been suddenly tied across the
Frenchman's mouth. 1t was in vain that
he tried to free himself. He was no match
against the muscles Stefan had shown him
a little while ago; and before he had fully
realized what had happened, he was bound,
gagged, and lying on his back on the
floor.
You'll have ample time to find out how
much Of fool 1 am, Monsieur Francois"
said Stefan. "for unless a miracle should
happen you'll be sharp set for a meal be-
fore you leave here. Never look so solemn,
man; You won't die. I'll send and release
you as soon as it is safe to do so; and II
it will save your character I'll let your
your best to carry out his Instructions and
make a fool of me. Should you be able
to drag yourself about presently you have
my full permission to hold your mouth
under any tap there in the cellar. and we'll
never ask for payment of the score" And
drinking the wine which remained in his
own tankard and also In the Frenchman's
he left the cellar, locking the door after
him.
few minutes later he walked down the
street with a self-satisfed smile. a
strapped-up bundle under his arm. and was
soon ost to view in the lower purlieus Of
the city. i,
That night seven horsemen left Sturatz-
berg. riding singly, and not all by the
same gate. But. by whichever gate they
left, they halted when they had ridden
out Of sight and turned aside to reach the
Breslen road. The last to go was Stefan.
He went by the Southern Gate, and once
free of the city. urged his horse forward
toward the forest which lies between Bres-
len and Sturatzberg
CTo be Continued Tomorrow