The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1908-01-04
CHAPTER xxxv.
II. Fioht on the staircass.


the other two his temerity would
doubtless have cost him his life. AS II
was, Gornji of Montenegro leaped
toward him, drawn dirk in his hand
Starva sent it spinning along the pol.
ished floor.A
"Imbecile!" he Kissed. There Is
none here who will be more loyal tc
our cause than Otto Kuhn of Mace
donia. There is none who can help II
so much. He needs but to be con
WINGED. Is it not SO. comrade?'
Il ask only to go into the affaii
with my eyes open," muttered Kuhn
his voice trembling with rage ane
fear.
But we will have no traitors
Gornji grumbled.
| "And if any have forced their way
into this meeting and are unwilling to
pay the price of admission, they must
be put out-yes, out of this world
cried Ignatieff.
The four assassins most Jealous
ranged themselves side by side, facing
the three. Starva stood between them
Patience, friends. What you say
would be quite true" he pleaded, III
it were so. There can be no traitors
among us. No one may leave this
room tonight until he is committed
irrevocably to the cause. AS 1t Is
each man by his presence has com
mitted himself. There must be com
plete harmony among us. Ferdinand
is to die. But he and Alexander mere
lily lead the procession of ghosts. There
are others to follow them into Hades
And that is only the beginning OF oui
work. We shall find half of Europe
arrayed against us. The new republic
will have to fight perhaps for its ex.
Iistence. We shall need money, and
comrade Kuhn has pledged his mil
lions 70 the cause"
But only on the condition that
England had refused to aid Ferdi
nand," interrupted Kuhn defiantly. y
say you have tricked me into commit
ting myself"
"And IT," fiercely shouted Gortscha'
koff of Servia, "the British ambassa.
dor were actually living-if he could
promise what he has been vainly
asked, it could avail nothing now. Has
not Ferdinand heard the names of all
of us? Can he not see us? Enough
of this vain talk. Gornji speak with
reason We can have no traitors
among us. If Caesar fell pierced by
the daggers of so senators, Ferdinand
must be content with eight. But
there can be no Sinking. Each man
must have a hand in his death"
"All in good time. But first Of
all / would answer our skeptical
friend here. You say, Kuhn, that the
ambassador is living. If show hin
to you on his bier will you believe
me?"
Prove to me what you say" sale
| Kuhn, uneasily.
81 tell you that it is you who would
| have been tricked had it not beer
| for my vigilance. Sir Mortimer Bret
has been dead these four days. Will
his death ended the schemes Of thu
woman, the Countess Sarahoh, Fer
| dinand's spy. But by one Of thos'
tests of fate she found ready too
to aid her as a price for her caresses
This tool of hers bears a marvelou
resemblance to the dead minister
1t was he whom you saw this morn
ing and not Sir Mortimer. He cam
to this chateau with the Countess Sal
ahoff to play the part of the Englisl
minister. 1t was he who was to trio
70 have you to say?"
"a "This sounds too improbable to b
:. believed without proof" Kuhn replied
~ turning to the two men who stood o
,s either side of him.
a 81 shall show you the proof" thur
N dered Starva, his patience at an emf
8 land that before you leave this castle
70 hold them all in the hollow Of m
!. hand-the countess herself, her a
ID complete, and the kings messenge
% Now what have you to say"
~ SHOW me this man who has tricl
h. ed me, and l am with you heart an
~ SOUL" was Kuhn's response. I'll
M words were brave enough, but the
n were those of man forced into CO
ner Il told you that wish only
nj go into this affair with my eye
open"
~ You see, friends" said Starva,
little patience was all that was nece
n. sary. Our comrade needed but
,e be convinced. / shall satisfy his cul
81 osity without delay" He raised b
voice: "Jacques!"
NJ The servant came forth from Il
dining-room and stood silent; befol
m him.
be Jacques, go to the tower and bril-
no to me the friend of Countess Sar
or hoff. You are armed? If he Civ
IN you any trouble, call me-"
He will give me no trouble" sa
INF the man, CONTEMPORARY, starting {