Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1908-02-27

dawn, my friend."
And where?" I demanded aston
ished and not Q little piqued at bic
cool assurance.
I'm route for America, II you are
Wise"
"You are settling my destiny In .
rather h%ighhanded manner" I cried.
angrily. And will you tell me why
you dispose OF me 80 ~summarily?"
"Why," replied he, with a quiet
laugh, II have promoted you-"
He became suddenly serious, glanc.
ing uneasily at Helena.
Miss Bret, Capt. Forbes and my
self will accompany you to your no
tel presently. VIII you wait here
while I say a few words to Mr.. Had
DOM"
But II is not possible that you still
mistrust him after t~o-night?" she dc
manded with Indignation.
mo, no." he assured her. Il would
spare you from embarrassment; that
Is all"
Come, then" I said. shortly.
When we had reached the gallery
I saw to my establishment that the
hall below was empty. listened and
there was complete silence.
What have Forbes and yourself
done with your ~prisoners?' ! demand
ed. In my perplexity I forgot to ASK
what Locke had meant in saying Nip,
PANTY that he had promoted me.
"They are all gone but two" Locke
answered cody. He lighted a cigar.
cite, and leaning on the gallery rail-
stared down into the hall. "Starva
and Bratinau's bodies are in the din
ing.rooms, but their souls have been
swiftly ferried across the Styx by old
Charon. Nothing reminds us OF our
fight except the dark stain on the
staircase carpet yonder. 1t was
good scrap while It lasted. Your shot
/ winged Starva, as you probably know.
|, settled Bratinau. Forbes peppered
away In the dark, and had fair luck.
The man called Go on or Geeup. or
something like that. got a shattered
ankle, and the Scrvian a rather nasty
wound In the thigh. As for the rest
OF the gentry, three OF them rallied
r to your slogan and joined me ut the
staircase; the other two were easily
settled with. Yes, 1t was a good
I fight, but much too shOrt-cspecially
o for you, old chap" lie shook his
+ head despondently.
But your p]risoners?" I demanded
8 again, irritated by his superhuous
comments.
at was Prince Ferdinand who In.
u sisted on their release"
j. "Thcir released" ! interrupted. III.
riously. What incredible folly"
=" "You remember that Starva and
y Bratinau we're tho only Bulgars
among the conspirators, and they are
= dead. The two ringleaders are wound
" cd badly enough to go to a hospital,
W Forbes himself has accompanied them
'" there to soc that they are not dis
charged until one OF us Is told. Prac'
:" tIcally they are prisoners. Their re
= mains Kuhn, Pitcschti and Gingaja
the three men who showed that they
IL had some instincts OF humanity when
r. II came to the crisis. The other two
u were arrant towards; Ferdinand pre-
!" fcrs to consider the three his lOya
friends and two others pOwerless
u He has SGT them at liberty"
"By ,Jovc. his ~magnanimity or hi
10 folly will cost him dear"
!" 81 am not 80 certain Of that" re
sumed Locke, thonghtfully. 1T II
possible that he has made five friendi
of Ave enemies. YOU must remembel
u that even II he wished to punish thu
ID conspirators he Is pOwerless to d.
:. this without advertising to the worlt
: the intended uprising OF the Balkan
~ States"
It. CTo BE CoNTINUED)