The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1908-10-15

ence. That was another point. The
peril OF the audience remained, but
they had improved their chances. Per
haps Stafnitz's brain was already busy
with the possibilities of his mission and
his escort. The latter was to be large
enough to make him secure from hin
drance by any act short Of open and
armed resistance to the kings com
mands. If It were impossible. as his
majesty obviously considered, to con
template such resistance II was evi.
IDENTIFY no less impossible TO reckon
what might happen as a consequence
of It.
The king rang his bell impatently.
81 want my draft again. I'm very
tired. Is there ANYTHING else which
need detain us today"
As he spoke before Stenovics could
answer. Lepage came In with the draft
The valet wore IN even unusually de
mure and unir'p.c-'ed expression.
There is one other matter. sir" said
Stenovics.
The king paused in the act Of drink
ing and listened. with his glass In his
hand, Lepage standing beside him.
"Your majesty just now impressed
on us the need OF secrecy as TO what
passes between these walls I think.
sir, you would insist on the same thing
with all who serve you conhdentially.
You haven't asked, sir. how the prince
became aware of the state of your
maiesty's health"
The king started little. "No; for
got that. It was against my direct or
ders. How was it?'
Stenovlcs kept his eyes on the king
Markart and Stafnitz allowed them
selves to study Lepage's features. He
stood the scrutiny we'll
"The news sir. was betrayed 10y a
man within these wals-a man I'm close
touch with your majesty"
"Natcheffw exclaimed the king.
certainly not, sir. Another. This
man, of whom | had suspicious and
whom caused to he watched, went by
night to the house of NJ. Zerkovitch
who Is, as you are aware Il close friend
and, If may use the word. an adhercnt
of the Prince Of SlaVna. Their inter.
view took place between 8 ana ~ last
night. At IL Ierkovitch. having Dor.
rowed a horse from the princes sta
bles, set out for Praslok He rode hard
through the night and reached the cas-
tie, as Captain Markart has told US, In
the small hours of the morning. There
he had an interview with the prince.
He left Praslok between 6 and in the
morning and arrived at his house on
the south boulevard by II. At half
past II he walked up the Street of the
Fountain, crossed 81. Mlchael's square
and entered a small inn in little alley
behind the cathedral. Here the man l
speak Of was waiting for him. They
were together half an hour. Zerko-
witch then left. The man remained Till
l, then came out and returned to the
palace by cirCuitous route, arriving
here about O'Clock. l venture to say
that the meaning of all this Is quite
clear. This man is in communication
with Praslok, using Zerkovitch as his
intermediary. It's for your majesty 10
say how far his disobedience in regard
to acquainting the prince with your
condition Is serious offense. As to
that l say nothing, but It will he OBJ
vious that this man should know moth
ing Of any private measures undertaken
or contemplated"
The king had listened carefully. "The
case seems clear" he said. "Thls fel-
lows a traitor. He's done harm al
ready and may do more. What do you
ask, generalT
"We might be content to let him
know nothing, but who can be quite
certain Of insurlng that? Sir, you have
Just arrived at very important de-
cision-to take certain action. Absolute
secrecy is essential TO its success. I've
no wish TO press hardly on this man,
but feel bound TO urge that he should
be put under arrest and kept in the
charge OF a person who is beyond sus-
picion until the action to which l refer
has been successfully carried out"
''The precaution is an obvious one and
the punishment hardly sufficient" The
king rose. "Do as you say, general.
leave you full discretion. And now I'll
go to my room and rest. I'm very
tired. Give me your arm, Lepage, and
come and make me comfortable"
Lepage did not offer his arm. He was
not looking at the king nor listening TO
him. His eyes and his ears were for
General Stenovics. Stenovics rose now
and pointed his finger at Lepage.
'"That, sir, is the man." said he.
"LepageW cried the king and sank
heavily into his seat with bewildered
face. Lepage-his familiar-the man
he trusted!
"a nnI u MI l