The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1908-10-29

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strongly supportedr'
"Again the colonel's orders, baron.
ess. I confess the precautions seemed
10 me excessive. had no doubt you
would willingly obey his majesty
commands Here, by the way, is the
written order" He produced the order
the king had signed before his death.
Sophy had been thinking Neither
her courage nor her cunning forsook
her. She waved the document away
II can take your word. captain? You're
making no mistake todayi ! really am
Baroness D6brava--not somebody else
with whom you have feudY She
laughed at him gayly and went on:
"Well. I'm ready I'm dressed for a
ride, and III ride with you immediate.
ly. In two minutes we'll be Off" She
saw a groom In the road staring at the
troopers and called to him to bring her
horse.
This prompt obedience by no means
suited Mistitch's book. 1t forced him
either to show his hand or to ride of
with Sophy. leaving the prince TO his
devices. and. in little while, to his re-
venge.
II mustn't hurry you. You have some
preparatlons'-
"None," said Sophy. Her horse was
led out into the road.
you'll at least desire to acquaint his
royal highness"-
"Not at all necessary. Baron Won
Hollbrandt can do that later on"
Mistltch looked puzzled. Sophy smil-
ed. Her intuition had been right The
attack on her was felnt, her arrest a
blind. The prince was the real object
Of the move She stepped down toward
Mistitch
81 see my horse is ready We can
start at once. captain" she said.
'T'm instructed to express TO the
sary"-
"rhe regret will be conveyed to him
Come. captainr
But MiSttch barred her way.
Ellis royal highness Is i'm the castle?"
he asked His voice grew angry now
He feared the great stroke had failed
He saw that Sophy played with him
How would he and his escort look rid.
ing back TO Slavna with nothing to
show for their Journey save the cap.
ture Of one unreslsting woman-a wo-
man whom they dared not harm while
the prince remained free and might be.
come all powerful?
"If he had been you'd have known It
by now, think" smiled Sophy "No.
the prince isn't at the castle"
"Pll see that for myselfr' Mistitch
cried. taking a step forward.
With a low laugh Sophy drew aside.
passed him and ran down the cause
way. In an instant she darted between
the ranks Of Mlstitch's men and reached
her horse. The groom mounted her
She looked up to Mistitch and called to
him gayly:
Now for Slavna, captain And hur-
ry or you'll be left behlndr
Her wit was too quick for him. Max
Won Hollbrandt burst out laughing. Pc
ter Vassip grinned.
"What are you waiting for, captain ?"
ueNNu hAuNs AOhi ~ inOhNi . Ohly lOO
anxious to go with you, you see!"
"I'll search the castle firstg he cried
in rage. which made him forget his
part.
Peter Vassip sprang forward and
barred the way. Mistitch raised his
mighty arm. but Sophy's voice rang
out gayly:
NNOnCnncn natnrf rhnrnfa g.,
conceal. Let the captain pass"
Her words stopped Mistitch. He
feared trap. Max saw 1t and mocked
him. Don't be afraid. captain. Take
fifty men In with you The garrison
consists Of lady I'm bed, an old man
and five female servants"
Sophy heard and laughed. Even the
troopers began to laugh now. Mistitch
stood on the top of the causeway, ir-
resolute, bafiied furious.
But behind his stupidity lay the cum
ming astuteness of Stafnitz, the In
genious bit OF deviltry. Mistitch's name
availed where his brain could not. For
the moment the prince made little of
the crown which had become his. When
ne HedTu LerkOVltC0S news MS over
powering thought was that the woman
he loved might be exposed to the pow.
er and the insults of Mistitch. Sophy
was playing a skillful game for him.
but he did not know 1t.
81 hear something" said Peter Vas
sip again, whispering to Max Won Holl-
brandt.
Yes, there was the galloping of horses
on the Volseni roadl
Colonel Stafnitz had not miscalcu-
lated.
Now Mistitch heard the sound. His
heavy face frightened, He ran down
the causeway loudly ordering his men
to mount He was no longer at loss
He had his cue now-the cue Stafnitz
had given him.
il IL: -: ~