Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-17
CHAPTER xxIv-Continued.

CHAPTER XX1V-Continued.
Another rocket Kissed skyward, and then
tactics changed. The crowd knew what the
signal meant. and instead Of throwing them
selves fiercely on the soldiers, they began to
draw back to side streets. fighting despe-
rately at corners for a few moments and
then fleeing, breaking up into small knots
and turning by twos and threes into alleys
and dark passages into which the soldiers
did not deem it wise to follow them. Fully
an hour passed before the Bergenstrasse
was cleared, and many a dark form lay
stretched in the roadway, and not few
who wore the kings uniform. Some lay
quite stil, their troubles and ambitions
over; some attempted to crawl away and
hide themselves; while others. too hurt to
move. groaned and cried piteously for help.
The inhabitants of the Bergenstrasse had
been rudely awakened, but for long time
none ventured out to render any help to
the wounded lest the soldiers should at
tack them.
Meanwhile. running feet woke the echoes
of the queter streets apd distant parts OF
the town-men speeding toward safety.
More troops would march from the castle
presently. and it would be dangerous to be
found in the streets tonight Doors In
dark streets opened and quietly closed
again; weapons were carefully hidden away
under loose boards. and their owners be-
came harmless CltlZenS dRdlH
One little band of men held together. run
ming lightly, and certain of every corner
they turned. Some of them were those who
had guided the princess to safety. and now
they were bent carrying the good news
to others who were waiting eagerly to hear
1t. The foremost stopped at door and
gave peculiar knock. 1t was opened i'm
media tely, and the custodian asked no ques-
tons as the men fled in and went quickly
to the rooms looking onto the garden,
where, not so long ago they had helped to
put an end to duel. AS they entered the
long room, which was only dimly lighted,
they paused. 1t easy to see that there
was CONSERVATION among the men gathered
there. and strangers were present
"Well?" cried a dozen voices.
"She is safe"
Safe! Gone to her death and destruc-
ton" was the answer The countess is
traitor
Its death to the first man who repeats
that accusation" Numbered one of the
strangers, his hand upon his sword hilt,
and as the men drew back before such
sudden fury. they noticed that the other
stranger, a bearded soldier of huge pro-
portions. grasped his sword hilt too.
The men who had run from the Bergen
strasse waited for an explanation.
Are we not all friends here?' exclaimed
Baron Petrescu hastily. There is some
mistake Tell us your story again, ana
he turned to man who had only ceased
speaking as the newcomers had entered.
He had come in GREATNESS haste at the
very moment that Petrescu had brought
Desmond Ellerey and Stefan through the
garden. Willing hands had opened the low
door in the wall for them. forewarned of
their coming by Dumitru Ellerey's fame
had run before him, and eagerly was he
looked for and recognized as the leader of
the rebellion which must quickly follow the
work going forward in the city tonight He
had come: the conspirators had succeeded
in rescuing Princess Martha; and now
came this man with tale which filled their
hearts with CONSERVATION.
Il had 1t from one who fills chief ser
wants pace in the palace. and who Is one
of u.s. said the man, speaking rapidly. He
was delayed in coming to me, or l should
have been here earlier. The king sought
out the countess, danced with her, and
then. seated In an alcove behind some cur
tains of which this man was hidden the
king persuaded her to betray those who
favored the cause Of the princess, and the
countess was tempted, and promised. Early
tomorrow she is to send the information to
the king by a trusted messenger, and the
king has given his oath that no one shall
know from whom 1t comes
II do not believe it, said the baron.
"She may have promised, but she had some
reason for doing So"
She had. baron. The king persuaded her
that her act of betrayal should be the sal
walton of a rebel.
what rebel? Princess Maritza?" asked
Petrescu.
mo baron; Captain Ellerey.'
- 1t was indeed q SuDtle teHptdtlOH, anu
Petrescu turned slowly to look at his COM
panion.
THE truth shall quickly be put to the
test" said Ellerey. Give me wine, full
measure to put new strength In me. Is
mine to be the only voice raised in her de-
Tense? Are you all SO ready to believe evil
of the woman who has served your princess
so we'll? I stake my honor that with her
Martha is safe"
True; but speak less harshly, cap
tain" whispered Petrescu. These men are
our friends do not anger them"
He from whom l had the news ever
speaks the truth" said the man who had
told the story. He has never failed us in
the past
HAS the countess ever failed you in the
past?" Ellerey cried. Shame on you all
for the thought Her loyalty shall be proved
on the instant"
you can do nothing tonight said
Petrescu.
chorus Of voices.
Therefore give me wine to renew my
strength" Ellerey cried and he seized the
tankard held out to him.
"It Is madness to go now said Petrescu.
For you, perhaps, for you, but not for
me- Man-man, do not you understand?
Besides the woman whose truth I would
vindicate is not Martha there? She once
gave me life yonder in the hills: even less
than love would repay such debt as that
Tomorrow. comrades, we may fight side by
side In the streets Of Sturatzberg but this
hour is my own. Let me pass. 1t Is death
to rebel or soldier who seeks to stay me
tonight" And throwing down the empty
tankard he went quickly to the door, fol-
lowed by Baron Petrescu and Stefan.