The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1908-03-12
CHAPTER xxxv.-continued.


staircase. Bring your man. Jacques.
60 that point and no farther We
shall see him; but he will not be able
TO see US"
Fortune was favoring US indeed.
Locke and l silently bestirred our
eslyes. Now at last had come the
moment for action. But still another
grumbled; and still fortune favored
us.
That Is all very WELL" objected Ig-
natief. And perhaps a traitor may
strike a blow in the dark. l for one
refuse to crafty the curiosity of Kuhn
In this matter"
"But Starva was determined to
have his way.
ITO prevent that" he answered.
each Of US viii lay his weapons on
the table at the end of the hall"
There we're cries of fierce dissent
Starva silenced them with an angry
gesture.
"One moment. friends" he purred.
You do not quite understand. When
we first came into this room l sug-
gested that lots should be drawn. and
he who was favored with the lucky
sumber should fire. concealed In the
gloom, that none might be sure who
had been chosen to snuff out Ferdi-
nand's little soul. But since our
friend Kuhn's loyalty has been ques-
toned. ii is he who shall have that
honor, and with Gornji's dagger he
han do fha An
dent should happen. or lest his cour-
age should fail him. Bratinau and
will keep our revolvers. think there
ie none to question our loyalty?"
Kuhn had grown frightfully pale;
he trembled. But he spoke no word.
by this arrangement" continued
Starva, ''the loyalty of Kuhn of Mace
donia viii be established. And IT," he
was glazing at Gingaja and Count
Piteschti." there are any mad enough
10 dream of disloyaity at this late
hour. and harbor treachery. they will
be powerless.
Starva's ruse was hailed with
shouts of approval. Gornji, Ignatieff,
and Gortschakoff strobe to the table
at the end of the hall and flung down
their weapons deflantly. Gingaja re-
IuctantIy followed their example.
Piteschti folded his arms defiantly.
standing motionless.
This is child's play" he muttered.
with pale lips.
Nevertheless" whispered Bratinau
I'm his ear, you will obey. and quick
". by all the saints. Starva. l think
your plan has proved a wise one.
Come. sir, we are waiting. Or are
you so ignorant Of the rules of ETH
quette that you insist in taking prece-
dence over u king?"
With a gesture of despair Count
piteschti walked slowly to the table
and left his revolver there.
Now, friend Kuhn. we are waiting
only for you" cried Starva sharply.
Il have no arms" answered the
poor wretch, with a sob.
You shall be armed presently"
cried Gornii.
Now, Jaquee, you may go. Out
with the candles, Gornji and IL
natieff The rest of you remain
quietly as you value your lives. You
will find your man defenseless,
Jacques. But II he proves trouble
some, you have only to call and !
will come. You have taken care OF
Alphonse?"
Il have put him to sleep" he
chuckled
AS Jaques lifted the tapestry Locke
choked him into silence. Together we
carried him struggling up. the hidden
staircase and burst into the anteroom
of the tower Not until we had flung
him breathless into the room OF the
we answer Forbes frenzied questions.
Locke gripped his arm for silence.
Quick. there is not a moment to
lose. Have you arms?"
NO." growled Forbes. ready for &C
ton.
'In the first room to the right Of the
corridor" painted Madame de Var.
nier. TN the drawer Of the cabinet
near the door,
Then come And you two stay
here. There is mans work below"
We stole silently down the stairs.
Locke and myself in the lead. to the
cabinet, where both Locke and Forbes
chose their revolver.
DO you. Capt. Forbes. make your
way along the gallery until you come
TO the spiral staircase at the end of
the hail." commanded, briefly.
when l appear at the main stairway
with Locke, reach the hall with no
delay. There is table by the little
stairway; there are arms on It; let
no one approach that table until
Locke or myself have reached your
side. Now then. Locke. are we ready?"
We had filed silently into the cor.
ridor. Forbes sped with caution to
his vantage ground. Locke was al
ready approaching the pain staircase
wher seized him by the Irm.
Il am going TO fool Starva ] am
going TO cal. for help. EIe viii think
II Jacques. AS he comes. IQxshsll
take care OF him. Bratinau is your
man. Walt till he shows himself. and
uind you. aim straight"