The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1908-03-05
CHAPTER xxxIV.

his open palm.
"Dog!" 1t was Ferdinand who spoke.
lie struggled vainly to rise.
"A live dog is better than a dead
Hon. Ferdinand. That flag at half
mast is significant of many things. 1t
tells it's story eloquently, that beauti-
full fiag-as clearly as the little stamp
that has frightened you so much
Interpret the flags moving tale for
this puppet king" beseeched Bratinau,
chuckling savagely.
First of all, then. your Majesty
must understand that II is the stand
ard of England with the royal arms in
the center surrounded by a garland of
flowers. Your Majesty knows quite as
we'll as that when such a flag floats,
whether on sea or land. 1t is a signal
of the presence of an English ambas.
sador. But 1t flies at half-mast be-
cause the ambassador in this chateau
IL dead-dead as you will be. vain
king. when the midnight hour has
struck. Pardon us IL we have given a
mere ambassador precedence over a
king: but you arrive little late"
My blood boiled. was impatient to
interrupt Starva's narrative Ii was
Locke's curiosity that delayed our res
cue. He restrained me with a gesture.
There is plenty of time" he wins
pered. ut is hardly IL now. and Ferdi-
uand is 10 die at midnight. 1 am anx-
ious to hear more conserving this flag.
And remember. please, that you have
my revolver"
was too easily persuaded l had
listened to DR.. Starva's words in won
der. II was l. or rather fate. who had
lowered that flag at half-mast. My
perplexity was not lessened as heard
what followed.
But when" continued Starva, Il
entered my carriage to escort you
hither in state. this flag was floating
ia the breeze at the head of its flag
stan. Not until your Majesty stepped
on the terrace did it fall at halfmast.
Shall | tell you why? When IL fell
at half-mast it was a signal that you
were in our power. There are others
anxious to welcome your coming.
Ferdinand. They have watched that
dag with burning eyes. They will
come soon, the rest OF the reception
committee. Listen-three raps and
silence-two and sllence-one and
then three. 1t is they, Bratinau Open
the door while l guard this ass in a
iion's skin that will cease to bray at
midnight"
I deplored my folly In delaying the
attempt at Ferdinand's rescue Even
now. while Bratinau rushed to the
door to draw its bolts. | should have
fred at Starya had he not been kneel-
ing at Ferdinand's side, twisting a cord
about his wrists to fasten him in the
chair in which he sat. The action ex-
posed Ferdinand; Starva's body was
shielded by that of the king. The ad-
vent OF the conspirators had taken
Locke and myself completely by sur
prise. And when we had heard the
knocking on the door we had hoped
that timely rescue had come.
| counted five of them. Locke and
were hopelessly outnumbered now. We
had missed our chance. confess that
something very like fear clutched at
my heart when heard the bars CRATE
back in their sockets. know that
Locke himself was pale enough. I'm
less some accident favored US, not
only was Ferdinand doomed, but per-
hsps ourselves as well.
But forgot our own danger in the
extraordinary scene that followed.
Starva had sprung on a chair close TO
Ferdinand. With ribald jest he intro
duced each of his confederates as they
stood about the two In a half circle.
AS each mans name was mentioned
ne stepped in front OF Ferdinand and
Knocked him.
Your Majesty" cried Starva, bow
ing low. "aE of your reception commit
tee is present except one. He will
come presently-and his news will
arouse you from the ennui that seems
to Cypress you. In the meanwhile let
me have the honor of introducing to
you each of these gentlemen:
Col. Ignaiieff. of Roumania! He is
an admirer of the ladies', and he will
be charmed to present them with a
lock OF your hair as souvenir"
Il prefer your heart, Ferdinand, to
be preserved in a beautiful funeral
ern for myself" cried the ruffian.
"Dimitri Gortschakoff, OF Serv:a. He
Is graom of the bedchamber of King
Alexander. He should be concerned
with his own duty this night"
But | have unselfshly sacrificed
myself to administer to your comfort"
was the brutal comment.
Count Nicholai Piteschti, Of Bosnia!
You should feel at home-you see we
have aristocrats present"
Il am so much of an aristocrat that
! am Jealous OF one who is above me
n rank to dwarf my own Importance"
'Gornji. OF Montenegro. He is only
a common soldier. and is better known
oy HE sobriquet, The Cat Is viii
<se his claws presently"
"A cat can look at king. they say.
Yes. can scratch well enough. A
'tpng's tyranny has made me groan;
hope you will not die 30 quickly. Ferdi-