Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-11

the zigzag way: we had better meet them
at the top of it," said Stefan
Only one man came up to them.
There is not much distinction to be had
! from routing such an enemy. Captain Ell
lerey." he said.
| Baron Petrescu!
| AT your service. although barely recov-
cred from the effects of our last meeting.
| Time pressed. so I did not wait for a doc
| tors certificate Of fitness"
| Il thank you. but hardly understand the
| situation. baron" said Ellerey.
And that is not to be wondered at" was
the answer; but there will be time to ex-
plain presently Enough that we can shake
| hands over past quarrel for which have
/ paid the penalty, and know that we stand
| together now"
Ellerey took his outstretched hand with
| out word.
The princess is with your" Petrescu
| asked.
she was until this morning"
! 'Killed!' cried the baron.
| No; and yet do not know that worse
| has not happened to her.
| While you explain. captain. have 1 your
| leave to go down and make the acquant-
| ance OF our new comrades?" said Stefan
My stomach yearns toward them, and
| their victuals and drink"
| II had forgotten" said the baron hastily
You can explain while we eat and drink
captain
"A few moments will make no difference,
| baron said Elerey, noddlng a consent to
Stefan, who went down into the pass
| quickly. Then he went on: DO you know
! the princess plans. baron?'
Il thought 1 did. but her sudden disap-
pearance from SturatZberg was unexpected
by me: STILL l know enough of your mission
| to guess her reason for Joining you"
! Then. baron. you know my position. 1t
was not Princess Maritza's cause which
| brought me to these hills. 1 am the victim
| or a conspiracy; but at the same time, my
only thought now is for the safety of the
princess"
| The baron nodded and glanced swiftly at
! his companion.
| Il understand, captain"
/ Shortly Ellerey told him what had occur
| red since Princess Martha had Joined him
| at the Toison dor, reserving nothing. not
even his own anger at the deceit which had
| been practiced upon him.
| 1t was desperate enterprise. doomed to
| failure from the beginning he went on:
me, to protect the princess to the best Of
my ability. Our food was gone. and we had
determined to make dash for safety after
dark tonight. That we did not do so last
| night was by the princess desire. Her
going must have been In her. mind then"
''She took the bracelet of medallions with
her. said Petrescu thoughtfully.
"She told me 1t was In the tower yonder
| 1t is not there now, SO l presume she took
it."
1T may possibly secure her safety"
''Vasilici is a truculent villain Ellerey
answered. HE is not likely to forget. or
1
| Then you would follow herr"
"Stefan and had decided to do SO when
| those fellows stole back to prevent We
should have taken our chance after dark
| tonight"
Petrescu was thoughtful for a time.
| Il hardly know what course to advise,
| he said presently. I'VE may not be able to
| help her much in these hills. while In Stur-
atZberg we might stir up the people in her
| cause"
AT least 1 have small power in the city"
said Ellerey, with smile. Those who
! trusted me very naturally think me trail
tor. and I should quickly be delivered over
| to enemies who would make short work of
me-
Yet you have powerful friends there"
when the men who deserted you rode
| into the city with stories of your treachery,
| Captain Elierey's name suddenly became
| known to hundreds who had never heard 1t
| before, and to each one of them he became
a friend, since his fate was linked with
| Princess Martza's''
Would such friendship protect me from
| my enemies p"
'.At least many a hiding place In the city
would be open to you, and some men might
sooner give up their lives than betray you.
! There is one proof of the truth of what I
say The men who deserted you all died a
violent death that night. They were found
| lying side by side in the Bergenstrasse, In
spite Of the fact that the city was patrolled
| by troops"
| EueTeJ lDckeu III MIN
NO captain. l was not privy to their as
sassina ton, although 1 might make a
| shrewd guess in what quarter the plot orig
| mated.
''Then Sturatzberg is in uproar?"
! mo: it is strangely quiet. all things con-
sidered-that quiet which presages a storm
| The king would strike II he knew where to
strike. but he hardly knows who are his
| enemies"
1.-The sight OF me would give him some
idea where to aim blow" said Ellerey.
Eyes: and yet he might think twice before
striking 1t. You have powerful friends. one
! very powerful friend-one very powerful
| friend"
you do not mean her majesty"
II think you know I do not. Captain Ell
! lerey," the Baron answered. ut was the
| Countess Mavrodin who bid me come"
| II know that the cause of Princess Ma
rita Is dear to her, said Ellerey quietly.
at is and to me-" said the baron; land
| yet we are probably not doing the best for
hills. There are no more behind. Our call
| ing back as though there were was strata
gem to strike greater terror into the bril-
! gands No, captain, the countess bid me
come to rescue the princess. and you. to aid
| your escape out Of Wallaria IL need be. and
her command is my law. Do we under
stand each other. Captain Ellerey?'
They looked into each others eyes for a
| moment.
DO you understand why forced a duel
| upon your" Petrescu went on. Il might
tell you that l believed the queen token
was in your possession; it would be true:
but that was not uppermost in my thoughts
when we stood face to face Therefore.
when I come to you at her bidding. you
may well trust me. since have little to
win by it,
"Only partly do understand you. baron"
you mortimer. in spite Of your many
| virtues, are slower to understand than we
| southerners are. Would you have me pluck
| the fruit for you as well as show you the
| tree? Sturatzberg may be In open rebellion
| before a week Is out and Frina Mavrodin
| NAV have to leave It. I will say no more.
Even my generosity has a limit"
| Ellerey could not fail to understand his
| meaning.
| you had better read that. baron" he
| said. handing him Maritza's letter.
Petrescu took the scrap Of paper and read
I it carefully.
II met Martha long ago In England" he
said as Petrescu looked at him. ''She has
remembered 1t, you see. and II came to
| Sturatzberg."
"Then the countess is"
| my friend, but Martha We waste
precious time. baron; must follow Ma
| rita"
| lose no time
| It was arranged to leave some of the men