The San Francisco call., 1908-04-26


prince and she was a lovely girl in the
old empress train. she had worshfped
him and he had condescended to accept
her admiration for a few weeks But
this was the truth. as Zeno's grandson.
the bishop, very clearly explains
She-left the lantern just outside the
door and came out with Carol into the
open air. After walking a few steps
she laid her hand on his arm. stopped.
looked around and listened As Yet
they had not exchanged two words
about the situation, and We're far from
sure that the watch. which had detect
cd Carlo from the water and had failed
to catch him. had not come around BY
land to the palace gate to give the
alarm.
Zeno slipped the cloak from his
shoulders and wrapped it round the
helmet, so that the captains wife
could carry both conveniently.
1T is hopeless" she whispered as she
took them. This morning he promised
that he would leave the prison II you
could bring him out. He has often
spoken to me as he spoke TO you this
evening-he loves the boy dearly-out
I was sure that he had made Up his
mind to risk everything else 1 would
not have shown the red light
After all,'' Zeno observed. 1T Is just
as well that he would not come, since
we were seen. though / really believe
Gorlias was too much for the men who
almost. caught u.s. He and together
could certainly have settled them all
there were only three 1 saw them
distinctly when they first jumped
ashore. and one was killed by the fall
when 1 cut the rope Gorlias silenced
the other two. for IL they were alive
there would have been an alarm here
by this time"
Yes" the woman answered But
some one must have betrayed US. We
cannot try that way again"
i shall not try that, or any other
way again" Zeno said with emphasis
In the name OF the evangelist. why
should ! risk my neck to free man
who prefers to be a prisonerT'
The wonder is that you are alive
this timer
TT will not even be safe TO COM
municate by the thread again Will
you take a message?"
..As well as 1 can remember it
Tell him that the next time he
asks my help he noust send me. by the
same messenger, a deed giving Tenes-
dos to Venice. signed and sealed
Otherwise I win not stir"
Shall tell him THAR
Yes. Tell him so from me. And
now go back. Kyria, and thank you
for your guidance and your lantern in
those dark stairs"
How shall you pass the gate?'
asked the captains wife.
She spoke anxiously. for Zeno was q
handsome man, and she had seen how
brave he was.
Il do not know he answered. but
one of two things must happen"
What things7'
Either I shall get out or I shall
never see daylight again, I shall not
let myself be taken alive to be i'm
paled in the hippodrome. assure you.
Thank you again, and good night"
Zeno did not walk straight toward
the gate, though 1t was easily dfstin-
guished from the adjacent buildings By
the greater number OF It's lights. He
crossed the wide court diagonally 10
the right. in the direction OF the sta
bles, till he was near enough to see dis
tinctly any one who chanced to come
under the rays Of one of the scat
tered lamps that burned here and
there in doorways and open windows.
Before long he saw a trooper Of the
guards emerging rather unsteadtly out
OF the darkness into one of these small
circles of light.
He overlook the man in half a dozen
strides. and spoke to him in a low
voice.
Hi. comrade. You who are still per
fectly sober, help a friend who is very
drunk
The man stopped. steadied himself
and answered with ponderous grav-
ity:
"Perfectly-hic-hic-
Il wish 1 werer' replied Zeno. The
truth is. 1 am exceedingly drunk
though I do not show it. Wine only
affects my brain, never my legs OF
my tongue. 1t is a very strange
Excuse me-hic." interrupted the
soldier Are you one man-hic-or
two rnen?"
"one man." Zeno answered "only
one. and so drunk that I have quite
forgotten the. password
"Sec-hic-ret." hiccoughed the man
Password secret" he repeated. with a
tremendous effort.
Here is a gold piece. my dear
friend. You will help a comrade in
trouble"
The man took the money eagerly and
tried to put 1t into his wallet. To dc
so be had 10 bend his head down so as
TO see the thongs that fastened it il
took a long time to find them
"Just give me the password before
you do that" Zeno said in a coaxtng
tone.
Password The man looked VI
stupidity.
I0e cHOTL OF UlQOlH8 tLne luOuSS udl
been too much for him and had sen
the blood 20 his head. He staggered
against the Venetian and tried Il
speak After many efforts he got ths
words out suddenly.
Drunk, by Mosesr'A he cried. quit,
distinctly, as he fell at Zeno's feet.
In his vexation zeno could have
kicked the stupid mass OF humanity
across the great yard. but he was IA
. too wise to waste his time so unprofit
ably. Instead OF kicking him h.
stepped across him. thrust his hand.
, under the unconscious mans armpits
hove him up like a sack of -four. go
him over his shoulder and carried hin
: to the open door OF the nearest stable
! whence the light came Five horse
t stood or lay in their stalls. but the sixtl
I stall was vacant and there was fresI
3 straw in It, Zeno threw the man dowi
; there and looked around 10 see that n,
one else was In the place.
The trooper was now sound asIeer
: and it was the work OF a few moment
to pull OF his boots of soft leather an,
t slip them on. for Zeno had left his owl
l ir the boat and had walked in his clotl
, hose. he took or the soldiers sword
: belt and tunic next, the latter OF rfc
,r<< <rf~~ = ~fer.