Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1908-02-20
BY T n HENRY VESrY
CHAPTER xxxIv.
Copyright, 1895. by D. Appleton 4 Compr

He 10 introduced to the Conspirators.
In an hour or two he will be still
more pale"
He struck Ferdinand's cheek with
his open palm.
Dog" 1t was Ferdinand who spoke.
He struggled vainly to rise.
"A live dog Is better than a dead
lion, Ferdinand. That flag at half
mast Is significant OF many things. 1t
tells its 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 1t Is the stand
ard of England with the royal arms In
the center surrounded by a garland OF
flowers. Your Majesty knows quite as
well as l that when such a flag floats,
whether on sea or land, 1t Is a signal
of the presence of ar English ambas-
sadOr. But It flies at half-mast be
cause the ambassador in this chateau
is dcad-dead as you will be. vain
king, when the midnight hour has
struck. Pardon us If We have given a
mere ambassador precedence over a
king; but you arrive a little late"
My blood boiled. | was impatient to
interrupt Starva's narrative. 1t was
Locke's curiosity that delayed our res
cue. He restrained me with a gesture.
There Is plenty OF time" he whis-
pered. at Is hardly II now, and Fcrdi-
nand Is to die at midnight. ] am anx.
ious to hear more concerning this flag.
And remember, please. that you have
m revolver
was too easily persuaded. ! a
listened to DR.. Starva's words In won
der. 1t was |. or rather fate, who had
lowered that flag ut hall. mast. My
perplexity was not lessened as | heard
what followed.
But when" continued Starva, 81
entered my carriage to escort you
hither in state, this flag was floating
in the breeze at the head Of It's flag
staff. Not until your Majesty stepped
on the terrace did 1t fall at half.mast.
Shall I tell you why? When 1t fell
at half-mast It vas a signal that you
were in our power. There are others
anxious to welcome our coming.
Ferdinand. They have watched that
flag with burning eyes. They will
con soon, the rest of the reception
committee. Listcn-thrcc raps and
silence-twO and silcnce-Onc and
then three. 1t is they, Bratinau. Open
the door while ! guard this ass in a
lions skin that will cease to bray at
midnight"
! deplOred my folly In delaying the
attempt at Ferdinand's rescue. Even
now. while Bratinau rushed to the
door to draw It's bolts. | should have
fired at Starva 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 OK.
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
thai n timely rescue had come.
! counted five of them. Locke and
we're hopelessly outnumbercd now. We
had missed our chance. confess that
something very like fear clutched at
my heart when l heard the bars CRATE
back In their sockets. / know that
Locke himself was pale enough. Tn.
less some accident favored us, not
only was Ferdinand doomed, but per
haps ourselves as well.
But ! forgot our own danger in the
extraordinary scene that followed
Starva had sprung on a chair close Ia
Ferdinand. With rlbald Jest he intro
duced each Of his c~onfederates as they
stood about the two In a half circle
As each mans name was mentioned
he stepped In front Of Ferdinand and
Knocked him.
Your Majesty" cried Starva, bow
Ing low, 'all OF your reception commit
tee Is present except one. He will
come presently-and his news will
arouse you from the cnnul that seems
to cypress you. In the meanwhile let
me have the honor Of Introducing L,
yGI each OF these gentlemen.
"Col. Ignaticf. Of Roumanla! He L.
OF aimirer OF the ladies'. and he vii!
pe charmed to present them with O
LNck n vOur hair as a gou.potr"