Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-19

! his sword in his hand. The waiting man
| had not recognized Stefan's voice, nor, had
| he done so, would he have feared detec-
| ton. Stefans eyes and ears were quick,
| however, and in that pause he had held up
| a warning finger to his companion and had
then sprung forward.
Il took you for your master" cried the
waiting man when he saw that he was dis
covered, Out
The cruel blade flashed swiftly down, but
| fell on Stefans sword only, and then be-
| fore his fingers could pull the trigger of his
revolver, the sword point was thrust
| through his throat, and the~man, who had
| SO stealthily waited for his victim, fell back
against the wall. upright for moment, and
then collapsed, only gurgled sigh sound
ing in the silent passage.
my ancient friend of the cellar" said
Stefan. bending over him. Waiting for the
captain, eh? Well, you did your best Mas
ter Francois, and so l will report to your
| master, should find him. Come, countess
the light Is too dim to see the unpleasant
sight" and the soldier held out his hand to
her.
Frina shuddered little as she stepped
past the fallen man, and she and Stefan
went slowly out of the passage together
The soldiers eyes were searching and keen
as they went. The servant was dead, but
the master might not be far Off and he
would be even q more dangerous enemy
much as Francois had done a little while
since. Stefan had a plan, a goal to win,
but he did not speak of 1t to the countess.
Suddenly Frna stopped. They were at
the end of deserted alley, but the roar of
voices came from a distance; then the sud-
den rattle of musketry, the harsh and dis
cordant music Of battle.
Which way now?" she asked.
ITO safety" said Stefan.
while others fight and fall?" she said
so the captain willed it,
Il will go no further toward safety-not
yet. Time for that when the day is lost.
the direction from which the roar Of battle
came.
Countess, I have my orders"
And have obeyed them; now listen to
mine. Yonder, where they fight, lies the
Grande Place. Lead me there by the
quietest way we can travel"
THAT is to 60 to your DEATH"
'Listen. stefan-and look!' She pointed
to the street into which the alley opened
Some men were running swiftly to the bat
tie. Il have but to cry my name and they
will come to me. Shall 1 cry?"
For heavens sake, countess"
Then lead me as 1 say"
II cannot. I dare not. The captain"
Follow me then If you will" And before
he could stop her she had darted from him.
STAY cried Stefan, rushing after her
Stay! If you will go, let me lead you"
"Show me the quiet ways If you can, but
come" And though Stefan argued though
he tried to deceive her at every corner they
came to, she would not be turned from her
purpose. Ever, as they went, the roar of
battle grew louder in their ears and there
was fear In the heart of Stefan the soldier
because of the woman who walked beside
him.
Francois was dead. That was one enemy
the less, but Of the master there was no
sign. 1t had been as wakeful a night for
Jules De Froilette as it had been for F'rina
Mavrodin, but he had spent 1t In no restless
Naofr, a,I H.
expected footsteps. Francois he knew was
providing about the streets. In the early
hours of the morning the servant had come
hastily and told his master Of the rescue of
Princess Martha. De Froilette had turned
pale and dropped back in his chair dumb
founded at the news, but he quickly recov-
cred himself. Her freedom could be only
temporary. There might be some street
fighting, but her recapture was certain
Francois had neither heard nor seen any,
thing Of Captain Ellerey, but he was sure
to come, and the servant had gone out to
roam about the city again in search of him.
Jules de Froilette spent his time in busily
destroying papers. now and then placing an
important one aside, sometimes reading one
with greater care and hesitating over It,
At intervals he leaned back in his chair and
remained buried in thought for awhile
and once he got up and went to a side ia
BILE on which stood the portrait of Queen
Elena.
IF Ellerey were out of the way we might
L
what has become of the bracelet of medal
lions. If 1t were in my hands l might save
the situation, or the queen might have to
leave SturatZberg and then who is there to
protect her but me?"
The dawn found him still sorting and de-
stroying. He expected Francois to return
with further news, but the servant did not
come. The Altstrasse began to wake and
grew noisy at an earlier hour than usual
The fact made De Froilette lean back in
his chair in thought again. The news that
the princess had escaped was spreading
that was natural, and with the town in an
uproar, rebellion in the air. there were
many who would look to him for a sign.
They had been waiting for it and expect
ing 1t hourly during the last few days. Had
he not for long time been fostering re-
bellion. a revolt that should set him in high
place, that should bring him riches from
Russian Golfers that should bring him
love? Was not his house at this moment
full of men to whom he had promised much
men who should presently help the brig
ands to seize the city, and then in their turn
be quelled and crushed by Russia, whose
army on the frontier was only awaiting the
word from him? His scheme had failed
through this cursed Englshman, but De
Froilette had not dared to tell the waiting
men SO, had not dared to tell them at any
moment he might be compelled to fly for
safety. They were rebels, and would be
quick to see treachery in any failure when
they had not even been given the chance to
strike blow for success.
Presently servant brought him coffee
and some rolls.
THE city Is noisy" De Froilette said.
Yes, monsieur"
Where Is the rioting chiehyT
Toward the Southern Gate. they say,
monsieur; but the soldiers are everywhere"
What about tho Northern Gate and the
Bois7'
TT is auister that way. monsieur. am
told"