Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1908-02-27
66eCastle
Of Lii
By ARTHUR HENRY vESEY


THAT is not necessary" assured
Starva. Let all these candles be
snuifed except those in the candelab-
rum that stands at the head OF the
staircase. Bring your man, Jacques.
to that point and no farther. We
shall see him; but he will not be able
to see u.s."
Fortune was favoring us Indeed.
Locke and | silently bestirred our
cslves. Now at last had come the
moment for action. But still another
grumbled; and still fortune favored
us.
THAT is all very WE'LL objected lg.
natieff. And perhaps a traitor may
strike a blow in the dark. | for one
refuse to crafty the curiosity OF Kuhn
in this matter"
But Starva was determined to
have his way.
"To prevent that" he answered,
leach of us will 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.
lone moment, friends" he purred.
"You do not quite understand. When
we first came into this room ! sug'
gested that lots should be drawn, and
he who was favored with the lucky
number should fire, concealed In the
gloom, that none might be sure who
had been chosen to snuf out Ferdi-
nand's little soul. But since our
friend Kuhn's loyalty has been qucs.
toned, It Ia he who shall have that
honor, and with Gornji's dagger he
shall do the work. And lest an acct
dent should happen, or lest his cou
age should fail him, Bratinau n l
will keep our revOlvcrs. ] think there
Is 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 will be established. And w." he
was glaring at Gingaja and Count
Piteschti." there are any mad enough
TO dream Of d~isloyalty at this late
hour, and harbor treachcry, 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 defantly. Gingaja re-
luctantly followed their example.
Piteschti folded his arms dclantly.
standing motionless.
This is child's play" he muttered,
with pale lips.
Nevertheless" whispered Bratinau
in his ear, "you will obey, and quick.
ly. by all the saints, Starva, ! think
our plan has proved a wise one.
Come. sir, we are waiting. Or are
you 80 ignorant OF the rules Of ell.
qucttc that you insist In taking prece.
dence over a klng?'
With a gesture OF despair Count
Piteschti walked slowly to the table
and left his revolver there.
Nov, friend Kuhn, we are waiting
only for you!" cried Starva sharply.
II have no arms" answered the
poor wretch, with a sob.
you shall be armed presently
cried Gornji.
Now. Jaques. you may go. Out
with the candles. Gornji and liz
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 car o.
~Alphonse?"
II have put him to Sleep" h
chuckled.
AS Jaques lifted tho tapestry Locke
choked him into silence. Together W,
carried him struggling up the bidder
staircase and burst into the anteroon
Of tho tower. Not until VIC had fun
him breathless into the room OF thu
safe, and had locked tho door, dit
we answer Forbes frenzied questions
Locke gripped his arm for silence
"Quick. there Is not a moment I,
lose. Have you arms?"
mo-" grOwled Forbes, ready for &C
ton.
"In the first room to the right OF tn,
corridor" painted Madame de Var
nier. I'm the drawer OF the cabine
near the door,"
Then come. And you two sta,
here There IS mans work below.
We stole silently down the stairs
,L- AoA u,y,nif In tho IaaA In A.