Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1908-07-28
Chapter
Sixteen
TIIE troops of the garrison and


scored great victory and in
hicted deep humiliation on the unpopu-
lar martinez who ruled and harried
them. They celebrated the event with
noisy but harmless revels, and when
Captain Hercules was seen about again
The submitted to fortnight's con-
finement to barracks with feelings in
which thankfulncss, though not graft
tude predominated found his popu-
larity with them greater than ever.
But in the higher circles-the inner
ring-of the party he served his recep-
ton was not so cordial. Stenovics
would not see him. Stafnitz saw him
only to express most uncompromising
judgment on his conduct.
Yielding in appearance, in point of
substance the Prince of Slavna had
scored heavily. The big guns were or
dered from Germany. The prince had
the money to pay for them. and they
were to be consigned to him. These
We're the guarantees which he had
asked from Stenovics. When the guns
came-and he had agreed to make an
extra payment for early delivery-his
situation would be very different. With
trusty men behind them it would go
hard with him if he were not master
of Slavna, and he had already obtained
the kings sanction to raise and train a
force of artillery from among his own
men In Volseni and its neighborhood.
The men of Volseni were proof against
Mistitch's Dragging and the subtle in
diligence by which Stafnitz held his
power over the rank and file of the
army. They were true to the prince.
The idle kings family pride was
touched. 1t was the one thing which
could rouse him. At his sons express
request, and at that only, he acquiesced
in the release Of Mistitch and his satel-
lite Sterkoff, but he was determined to
make his own attitude clear and to do
what he could to restore the prestige of
his family. The prince said dryly that
the prestige would profit best of all by
the big guns. The king was minded to
supplement their effect by something
more ornate. He created new order
and made his son grand master of It,
There was no harm in that, and Ste
movies readily consented. He declared
that something more must be done for
the lady to whom his son owed his life.
To be made keeper of the tapestries
might be convenient recompense, but
was not honor enough. Stenovics de-
clared that any mark Of favor which
his majesty designed for Mile. de
Gruche might most properly be hers.
Finally the king instructed Stenovics
to concentrate all his energies on the
matrimonial negotiations. A splendid
marriage for Sergius with German
princess would enhance and strength
en- the prestige more than anything
else. Stenoyics promised jealous obe-
dience and withdrew full of thought.
The order was an easy matter, and
honors for Sophy did no harm. The
marriage was ground much more deli
cate. 1t touched the "big stake" which
Colonel Stafnitz had SO emphatically
warned the general not to play on the
bad hand dealt to. him by Mistitch's
laundering. But. with the big guns in
position and the sturdy men of yolseni
behind them, would good hand ever
come?
There We're but three in the inner
secret of the scheme, but they were
three Of the longest heads in Kravonia.
Countess Ellenburg was a pious wo-
man and Of exemplary demeanor; but,
as Markart told Sophy. women are am
bilious, and she had borne the king a
son. Stenoyics saw himself cast aside
like an old glove If Prince Sergius came
to the throne Stafnitz was born
fisher in troubled waters and threw a
skillful net. Twice before in the coun-
try's history intrigue had made revolu-
tion and changed the order of success
sion in the house Of Stefanoyitch. The
three waited on chance, but the chance
was not yet. If the king were at en-
nifty with his son or If there was a
demise of the crown while. the prince
was not on the spot to look after his in
terests. there might lie the opportunity
But now the king was all cordially for
his heir apparent; the prince was on
the spot; the guns and their volsenian
gunners threatened to be on the spot.
too. ere long. 1t was not now the mo-
ment for the big stake.
King Alexis was delighted with his
new order. and the grand masters in
sigma were very handsome. In the
center Of five pointed star st. Michael
slew the dragon-a symbol perhaps Of
Captain MistitchI But the king had
not done yet. There was honor for the
princes friends too. Men should know
!. that service to the royal house wa
meritorious in proportion to the illu
trious position Of that house. Zerk,
Witch stood forward and was made
cheyalier Of the Cross of Kravonia. The
occasion cost Zerkoyitch the price Of a
court suit. but for Marles sake he bore
The outlay patiently. Then the king,
having refreshed himself with draft
which his valet Lepage brought him,
turned to his most pleasing task. The
keeper Of the tapestries was called
From her place In the circle beside
Marie zerkevitch Colonel Stafnitz had
not poticeq her standing there. but now
be gave q little start. The figure seem
sd familiar. He turned his head round
to Markart, who was just behind him.
Yes, that's her." Markart whispered
4 in answer to tho question in the colo
nels eyes. The eyes flew back to So.
ply instantly. There, too. was set the
gaze Of Countess Ellenburg, for Sophy
WAS in full beauty that day She foo