Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1908-06-19


which you may require. Ring this
hand bell on the table-no other bell.
mind-and he will be with you imme-
diately. Do you understand your or
dersY
Markart understood them very we'll.
There was no need of Stafnitz's mock
ing little smile to point the meaning.
Markart was to be Lepage's jaiier;
Sterko6 was to be his. Under the
most civil and considerable form he was
made as close prisoner as the man
he guarded. Evidently Stenovics had
come to the conclusion that he could
not ask Markart to put too great strain
on his conscience. The general, how
ever, seemed very kindly disposed to-
ward him and was, indeed, almost
apologize:
1--WE every hope that this responsible
and. fear, very irksome duty may last
only the few hours mentioned. You
put me under a personal obligation by
undertaking 1t. my dear Markart."
In the absence Of any choice Markart
saluted and answered, II understand
my orders, general"
Stafnitz interposed, captain Sterkoff
is also aware Of their purport."
Stenovics looked vexed. "Yes, yes.
but I'm sure Markart himself is quite
enough" 1t seems odd that in the
midst of such transaction as that in
which he was engaged Stenovics should
have found leisure or heart to care
about Markart's feeling. Yet SO 1t was
"a curiously human touch creeping In
He shut Markart up only under the
strongest sense Of necessity and with
great reluctance Probably Stafnitz
had insisted in the private converse
ton which they had held together
Markart had shown such evident signs
of jibbing over the Job proposed for
Captain Hercules!
Lepage's heart was wrung. but his
spirit was not broken. Stafnitz's ironic-
al smile called an answering one to his
lips.
ut would console my feelings II
also were put in charge Of somebody,
general" he said. "Shall l, in my turn,
keep an eye on Dr. hatcher or report
If the captain here is remiss in the duty
of keeping himself a prisoner"
II don't think you need trouble your
self. NJ. Lepage. Captain Sterkon will
relieve you of responsibility" To Le-
page. too, Stenovics was gentle, urbane.
almost apologize.
"And how long am I to live, gen.
eral?"
You're in the enviable position, NJ. Le-
page. Of being able. subject to our COM
mon mortality. to settle that for your
self. Come. come, we'll discuss mat
tiers again tomorrow night or the fol-
lowing morning. There are many men
who prefer not to do things, but will
accept thing when it's done. They're
not necessarily unwise. I've done no
worse to you than give you the oppor
tunity Of being one of them. think
you'll be prudent to take 1t. Anyhow,
don't be angry. You must remember
that you've given us a good deal Of
trouble"
Between us we have killed the
king"
Stenovics waved his hands in a com.
miserating way. practical men
mustn't spend time in lamenting the
past" he said.
Nor in mere conversation, however
pleasant" Stafnitz broke in, with a
laugh. Captain Markart. march your
prisoner to his quarters"
His smile made the order a mockery.
Markart felt 1t, and a hatred Of the
man rose in him. But he could do
nothing. He did not lead Lepage to
his quarters. but followed sheepishly
In his prisoners wake. They went to-
gether into. the little room where L.
page slept.
"Close quarters, too. captain" said
the valet. There is but one chair. Let
me put It at your service" He himself
sat down on the bed. took out his to-
bacco and began to roll himself a ciga.
rette.
Markart shut the door and then threw
himself on the solitary chair in heavy
Of spirit and a confused
conflict Of feelings. He was glad to
be out Of the work. yet he resented the
manner in which he was put inside.
There were things going on in which 1t
was well to have no hand. Yet was
there not thing going on in which ev.
cry man ought to have a hand on one
side or the other? Not to do 1t, but to
be ready to accept 1t when done! He
was enough Of a soldier to feel that
there lay the worst. the meanest thing
Of all. Not to dare to do It. but to
profit by the doing! Stenovics had
used the words to Lepage. his prisoner.
By making him in effect q prisoner.
TOO. the general showed that be an.
Piled them to the captain also. ANY.
thing seemed better than that-aye. II
would be better to ride to Praslok be.
hind Captain Hercules! In that ad-
venture a man might at least, risk his
life!
AN odd worldr' said the vilet. pufY.
ing out his cigarette smoke. Honest
men for prisoners and murtierers for
)aiiers! Are you a prisoner or a taller
Captain Markarfp"