The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1908-10-08


feet and sdlutcd. has taken ad-
vantage Of the favor the king showed
her"
"And If | dicd?" asked the king.
Stenovics shrugged his shoulders
"Of course there would he no control
then" said he.
The king lool;ed around 1--WE must
get her away from praslok."
"Will she Gomez" ierred the countess.
Not she! WIN re let her go? Not her'
The king passed his hand weakly
across his brow. Then he rang a bell
on the table Lepage entered, and the
king bade him bring him the draft
which Natchcf had prescribed for his
nerves. Wen might the unfortunate
man feel The need of it, between the
countess opel eruption ana the not less
formidable cJl.h OF Stcnovlcs and STAFF
nltz! And all his fayolte dreams in
danger.
"Shc wont leave him or he'll follow
her. The W, man has infatuated himr'
the coun go; l.etsis,Cd.
Pray. ma lame, let me think" said
the hnrassed ana sick king. 1--WE must
open communications with Baroness
Dobrava."
"May suggest that The matter might
prove urgent, sirf" said Stcnovlcs.
"Every hour is fun of danger" de-
clared the countess
The king held up his hand for silence.
Then he took paper and pen and wrote
with his own hand some lines He
signed the document and folded It.
His face was now firm and camer.
The peril to his greatest hopes-per-
haps sense of the precarious tenure
Of his power-seemed to impart to him
a new promptness, decision alien to
his normal character. Colonel Staf-
nitzw he said in tone of command.
The colonel rose to his feet and sa-
luted. From an adviser In council he
became in moment soldier on duty.
II am about to intrust to you duty
of great delicacy. 1 choose you be-
cause, short of General Stenovics him
self, there is no man In whom 1 have
such confidence. Tomorrow morning
you will go to Praslok and inform his
royal highness that you have a com
munication from me for Baroness Do
bravo. If the prince is absent you will
see the baroness herself. If she is alb
sent you viii follow her and find her.
The matter is urgent. You will tell her
that 1t is my request that she at once
accompany you back here to the palace,
where shall receive her and acquaint
her with my further wishes. II she
asks of these say that you are not en-
powered to tell her anything. She
must learn them from myself. II she
makes any demur about accompanying
you Immediately or If demur Is made
or delay suggested from any quarter
you will say that my request Is a COM
mand. II that is not sufficient you will
produce this paper. 1t is an order un-
der my hand addressed TO you and di-
recting you TO arrest Baroness Do
bravo and escort her here to my pres
ence, Notwithstanding any objection or
resistance which any person whatever
Will offer at his peril. You will be
back here by tomorrow evening, with
the baroness in your charge. Do 1t
without employing the order for arrest
II possible but do II anyhow and at all
costs. Do you understand"
Perfectly, sir. Am to take an es-
cort?
The answer to that question was anx-
iously considered-and awaited anx-
iously.
"Yes," said the king, you will. The
precise force leave TO your discretion.
II should be large enough TO make you
secure from hindrance by any act short
OF open and armed resistance to my
| commands"
Stafnitz saluted again and at a sign
from the king resumed his seat. The
kings manner relaxed as he turned to
Stenovics. when we've got her here
Wen reason with her-she'll hear rea-
son-and persuade her that her health
will benefit by foreign trip, If neces-
sary shall cause her to be deported.
She must be out OF Kravonia in three
days unless she can clear herself from
all suspicion. I'll arrange that the
prince shan't come for his audience un-
til she is well out of Slavna. 1t is, OF
course, absolutely essential that no
word OF this should pass the walls OF
this room. II once hint OF II reached
Praslok the task of laying our hands
on the baroness might become infinite
ly more difficult"
The three were well pleased. They
had come to fear Sophy, and ON that
score alone would be right glad TO see
the last OF her. And when she had
gone there was a fairer chance that
the prince, too would 60 on his travels.
Whether he went after her or not they
cared little so that he went and the re-
cruiting and training at Volseni were
interrupted.
ITo BE ooNTINUEDl