Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1908-08-14
"There is one other matter. SIR" said

"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. think.
sir, you would Insist on the same thing
with all who serve you confidentially.
You haven't asked. sir. how the prince
became aware Of the state Of your
majesty's health."-
The king started little, mo; for
got that 1t was against my direct or
ders. How was III"
Stenovics kept his eyes on the king.
Markart and Stafnitz allowed them
selves to study Lepage's features. He
stood the scrutiny well.
"The news. SIT. was betrayed by a
man within these walls-a man in close
touch with your majesty"
"Natcheff!" exclaimed the king.
Certainly not. sir. Another. This
man. Of whom 1. had suspicious and
whom caused to be watched, went by
night to the house of Nj. Zerkovitch,
who is, as you are aware. close friend
and. if may use the word. an adherent
of the Prince of Slavna. Their inter-
view took place between and 10 last
night At II Zerkoyitch. having Dor
rowed horse from the princes sta
bles. set out for Praslok. He rode hard
through the night and reached the cas-
tie. as Captain Ma'rkart has told US, in
the small hours of the morning There
he had an interview with the prince.
He left Praslok between 6 and Z in the
morning and arrived at his house on
the south boulevard by H. At half
past II he walked up the Street of the
Fountain, crossed st. Michael'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 2 o'clock. | 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 to
say how far his disobedience in regard
to acquainting the prince with your
condition is Il serious offense. As to
that | say nothing but it will be OBJ
vious that this man should know moth
ing of any private measures undertaken
or contemplated"
The king had listened carefully. 'srhe
case seems clear."he said This fel.
lows a traitor. He's done harm al
ready and may do more What do you
ask, general?''
"We might be content to let him
know nothing, but who can be quite
certain of insnring 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 refer
has been successfully carried out"
1.-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. Iepage. and
come and make me comfortable"
Lepage did not offer his arm. He was
not looking ut The Ring nor listening to
him His eyes and his ears We're for
General Stenovics. Stenovics rose now
and pointed his finger nj I.epage
THAT, sir. isstlie man" said he.
"Lepage!" cried the king and sank
heavily into his seat. with u bewildered
face Lepage-his famiiar-the man
NJ, t.rct.dt 9tas- IL