Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1908-08-28

you're strange messenger to send"
THAT'S point to put to my superior
officer, Colonel Stafnitz. who sent me.
baroness"
sophy pointed at his men. "You ride
strongly supported"
"Again the colonels orders baron
ess. confess the precautions seemed
to me excessive. had no doubt you
would willingly obey his majesty's
commands. Here, by the way. is the
written order" He produced the order
the king had signed before his death.
Sophy had been thinking. Neither
her courage nor her cunning forsook
her. She waved the document away.
II can take your word, captain? You're
making no mistake today? really am
Baroness Dobrava-not somebody else
with whom you have feud? She
laughed at him gayly and went on:
"Well. I'm ready. I'm dressed for a
ride. and I'll ride with you immediate
~. In two minutes We'll be off," She
saw groom in the road staring at the
troopers and called to him to bring her
q horse.
This prompt obedience by no means
suited Mistitch's book. 1t forced him
either to show his hand or to ride of
with Sophy. leaving the prince to his
devices. and, in little while, to his re-
venge.
81 mustn't hurry you. You have some
preparations
/, "None." said sophy. Her horse was
led out into the road.
you'll at least desire to acquaint his
royal highness"-
Not at all necessary. Baron Won
Hollbrandt can do that later on"
Mistitch looked puzzled. Sophy smil-
ed. Her intuition had been right. The
attack on her was feint. her arrest a
blind. The prince was the real object
of the move. She stepped down toward
Mistitch
II see my horse is ready. We can
start at once, captain" she said
"I'm Instructed to express to the
prince regret that 1t should be neces
sary'-
'The regret will be conveyed to him
Come. captainv'
But Mistitch barred her way.
His royal highness is In the castle?"
he asked. His voice grew angry now
He feared the great stroke had failed.
He saw that Sophy played with him.
How would he and his escort look rid
ing back to Slavna with nothing to
show for their Journey save the cap
fi1ro op
man whom they dared not harm while
i the prince remained free and might be-
| come all powerful?
'.If he had been you'd have known it
, by now. think" smiled Sophy. 'No,
, the prince isn't at the castle"
"I'll see that for myselfv' Mistitch
cried. taking step forward.
With low laugh Sophy drew aside,
passed him and ran down the cause
way. In an instant she darted between
the ranks of Mistitch's men and reached
her horse. The groom mounted her
She looked up to Mistitch and called to
him gayly:
"Now for Slavna. captain! And hur-
! ~ or you'll be left behind!"
| Her wit was too quick for him. Max
Won Hollbrandt burst out laughing. Pc
ter Yassip grinned.
What are you waiting for. captain?"
asked Max. "Your prisoners only too
anxious to go with you, you see!''
"pll search the castle firstw he cried
In rage, which made him forget his
part.
Peter vassip sprang forward aud
barred the way. Mistitch raised his
mighty arm, but Sophy's voice rang
out gayly:
Nonsense. Peter! There's nothing to
conceal. Let the captain pass"
Her words stopped Mistitch. He
feared a trap. Max saw 1t and Knocked
him. Don't be afraid, captain Take
fifty men in with you. The garrison
consists of a lady in bed. an old man
and five female servants"
Sophy heard and laughed. Even the
troopers began to laugh now. AIistitch
stood on the top of the causeway, ir.
resolute. baffied. furious
But behind his stupidity lay the cum
ming astuteness Of Stafnitz the In
/ eSAAOuo 1At vi
availed where his brain could not. For
the moment the prince made little Of
the crown which had become his When
he heard Zerkovitchs news his over
powering thought was that the woman
he loved might be exposed to the pow
er and the insults Of Mistitch Sophy
was playing skillful game for him,
but he did not know it.
| II hear something" said Peter Vas.
sip again, whispering to Max Won Holl-
brandt.
Yes, there was the galloping of horses
on the Volseni road
Colonel Stafnitz had not miscalcu.
lated
Now Mistitch heard the sound His
heavy face frightened. He ran down
the causeway loudly ordering his men
to mount. He was no longer at loss.
He had his cue now-the cue Stafnitz
had given him.
i w. =,