The San Francisco call., 1908-05-24

said at last. ~but 1 think you win
see him before long. for he is coming
here
"Heree" Andronicus was taken by
surprise. "Here?" he repeated In won
der.
Yes. here" Zoe answered. and
soOn- He has business here tonight"
The girl is mad" said the emperor.
looking toward the ministers.
Quite mad, your august majesty"
said one.
Evidently out of her mind. sire
echoed the other. at will be well to
put out her eyes and let her CO."
The : one who had spoken first. the
rawntng Greek. made a sign to an
onicer near him. and the latter gave
an order to one of the running footmen
who stood waiting. The latter Instant
ly ran In through the great open door
way OF the palace Where Andronfcus
was the torturer was never hard to ind
And pray" asked the emperor with
an ugly smile, what possible business
can Venetian merchant have here at
this hour? VIII you please to tell us7"
"A business that will soon be dis
patched. IL God will" answered Zoe.
She could not look away from the
man who had murdered Michael Rhan-
gabe. and though she knew what she
was risking if she did not gain time.
the longing for just vengeance was too
strong for her. so that she could not
control her speech. and in her clear
young voice Andronicus heard an ac-
cent that struck terror to mis- heart
She is not madl" he exclaimed in
sudden anxiety. "She knows something.
Make her speak"
While the words were on his lips the
running footman returned and after
him another man came quickly CARRYING
a worn leathern bag. He was very tall
nd n.
face OF corpse and there was no light
In his eyes Zoe did not see him. but
he came and stood behind her, close to
the Ethiopian. and he fumbled in his
bag. and all around the uniforms of
the guard were as red as blood IN the
twilight.
II am not afraid TO speak. since I am
caught" Zoe said. answering the en-
peror's words. and what l say is true.
For what you owe me. you owe to
many and many more. and the name Of
that debt is bloodg'
'She is raving." cried Andronicus in
An unsteady voice.
No, / am not mad Zoe answered
speaking loud and clear. your reck-
onfng has been due these two years and
a man Is coming within the hour tc
claim IL, and you shall pay all, both to
others and to me, whether you will or
nott'
CFedIUre
emperor, but his cheeks were whittier
now.
Not sound broke the silence. and
the man with the leathern bag crept a
little nearer. TO the defenseless girl and
the Ethiopian's grip frightened on her
wrists From somewhere beyond the
walls of the courtyard the neighing of
horse broke the silence.
Who is this girl that dares me with
In my own gates7" Andronicus asked
again, turning to his ministers and Of
ficers-
The Greek with the fawning face
bent in his saddle toward the young
emperor as IL he were prostrating HIM
self, and he spoke in very low voice.
Your majesty would do we'll TO have
her tongue torn out before she says
more"
Who is she. say?'' cried the SOW
ereign, suddenly furious, as towards
can be-
No one spoke. The corpse-faced mar
on her features. Beyond the wall and
far off the unseen horse neighed again
1t was growing darker, but all around
the scarlet tunics were as red as blood
Then the answer came. The twisted
lips OF the tornentor moved slowly ana
words came from them in thin. harsh
voice. like the creakfng OF the rack.
She is Michael Rhangabe's daught-
err"
"The Protosparthos The emperor's
voice shook again.
The corpse faced man nodded twice in
assent. and his thin lips writhed hide
ousiy when Zoes eye fell on him.
Il saw her at the prison when i took
him out TO die" he said
His bony hand. all knotty and stained
from his horrid work. took the girls
delicate chin. forcing her to turn her
full face to him; and she quivered
from head 10 foot at his touch. He
knew well the convulsive shiver that
ran through the victim he touched for
the first time: he could feel IL in his
fingers as the musician feels the
strings. he was familiar with IL. as the
hsherman's hand is with the tremor and
tension OF his rod when a fish strikes
and he smiled in CHASTITY way
Yes" he said, lit is she" And he
laughed.
He held her by the chin and wagged
her beautiful head to right and left.
Since the emperor had spoken no
sound had been heard but the tor
turer's diseordant voice: but now the
outraged girls shrek OF fury split the
air.
''wretehw
Her small hands suddenly slipped
through the Ethiopian's rapacious hold
Before he could catch her she had
wrenched herself free from both men
and had struck a furious blow full in
the torturer's face: and though she was
but a slender girl her anger gave her a
mans strength. and her swiftness lent
her a sudden advantage The man
reeled back three PAGES before he could
steady himself again.
Hold herr cried AndronicuS. for he
feared she might have knife hidden
on her. and both her bands were free
But only for that instant Though
the African was huge. he was quick,
and he was behind her Almost before
the emperor had called out Zoe was
a prisoner again. and the man she had
struck was close to her with his bat
tered leathern bag. re looked up to
Andronicus for a command before he
began his work.
Make her tell what she knows" the
emperor said, reassured since she was
again fast In the Africans great hands
He leaned forward a little. the better
to hear the words which pain was to
draw from Zoe's lips. and the Greek
minister settled himself comfortably in
the saddle to enjoy the rare amusement
of seeing a beautiful and noble girl
deliberately tortured before half a