The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1909-01-07

room. The words were indiStinguiSh-
able. So passed full half an hour. 4
strange and terrible half hour It seem
cd TO Markart.
the door opened. and Stnfnitz called
Natchesf The physician rose and fol-
lowed him. Another twenty minutes
went by. still in silence. but once Mark
art looking for moment ut his mute
companion. saw n tear rolling slowly
down Lepage's wrlnkled check. Lee
page saw him looking and broke the
silence:
81 suppose helped to kill him.
Markart shrugged his shoulders help
lessly. Silence came again. Very long
II seemed: but. on looking Mt his watch,
Markart found that Il was not yet half
past 6.
Again the door opened. and Stafnitz
called TO them both. They followed
him into the next room. Stenovics
was sitting at the table. with his hands
clasped on II in front OF him. Stafnitz
took up position by his side. standing
as though on duty. Natchen had dis
appeared. Stenovics spoke In calm.
deliberate tones. lie seemed 10 have
assumed command OF the operations
again
captain Markart. I'm about TO in
trust TO you an important and respon-
sible duty. For the next twenty four
hours and afterward until relieved by
my orders you will be in charge Of this
man Lepage and viii detain him In
these apartments. His own room and
this room win be at the disposal OF
yourself and your prisoner. but you
must not let the prisoner out of your
sight Dr. Natcheff remains In his
room. He win have access 20 the kings
room when he desires. but he will not
leave the suit Of apartments. Beyond
seeing to this you will have no respon-
sibility for him. The door leading to
the suit will be locked by me and will
be opened only by me or by my orders
remain at the palace tonight. Under
me Captain Sterkod will he the officer
on guard. lie viii himself supply you
with any meals or other refreshments
which you may require Ring this
hand bell on the table-no other bell,
midland he win bc with you imme-
diately. DO you understand your or
dersg"
Markart understood them very we'll
There was no need Of Stafnltz's mock
Ing little smile TO point the meaning.
arb ~ 60 I.s. I fnfl
Stskoff was 20 be his. Under the
most civil and considerate form he was
made as close a prisoner Us the man
he guarded. Evidently Stenovics had
come 10 the conclusion that he could
not ask Markart to put too great strain
on his conscience. The general. how
ever. seemed very kindly disposed to-
ward him and was. indeed. almost
apologetic:
"Fve every hope that this responsible
and. fear. very irksome duty may last
only the few hours | mentioned. You
put me under a personal obligation by
undertaking II. my dear Markart"
In the absence OF any choice Markart
saluted and answered. Il understand
my orders. general"
Stafnitz interposed. Captain Sterkoff
Is also aware Of their purport."
Stenovics looked vexed. yes. yes.
but I'm sure Markart himself Is quite
enough" II seems odd that in the
midst Of such a transaction ms that In
which he was engaged Stenovics should
have found leisure or heart TO care
about Markart's feeling Yet so It was
"a curlously human touch creeping IN.
He shut Markart up only under the
strongest sense OF necessity and with
great reluctance. Probably Stafnitz
had insisted IN the private conversa-
ton which they had held together.
Markart had shown such evident signs
II jibbing over the job proposed for
Captain Hercules.
Lepage's heart was wrung. but his
spirit was not broken. Stafnitz's lronic-
Al smile called an answering one to his
lips.
''It would console my feelings II
also were put IN charge Of somebody.
general" he said. "Shall I. in my turn,
keep an eye on Dr- .Natcneu OF report
Il the captain here is remiss in the duty
Of keeping himself a prisoner
Il don't think you need trouble your
self. NJ. Lepage. Captain Sterkoff will
relieve you Of responsibility" To Le-
page. too. Stenovics was gentle, urbane.
almost apologize.
and how long am I TO live, gen.
cral?"
You're in the enviable position. NJ. Le-
page. OF being able. subject 10 our COM
mon mortality, TO settle that for your
self. Come, come. wei discuss mat
ters again tomorrow night or the fol
lowing morning. There are many men
who prefer not 10 do things. but will
accept a thing when it's done. They're
not necessarily unwise. I've done no
worse to you than give you the oppor
tunlty OF being one Of them. ] think
you'll be prudent 20 take It. Anyhow,
don't be angry. You must remember
that you've given us a good deal or