The Morning examiner. [volume] (Ogden, Utah) 1904-1910, 1909-03-07
CHAPTER xxxv.-contlnued.


''That is not necessary" assured
StarvA Let all these candles be
snuffed except those In the candelab-
rum that stands at the head OF the
staircase. Bring your man, jacques.
10 that point and no farther. We
shall sec him; but he Will not be able
10 see US
Fortune was favoring rs indeed.
Locke and / silently beeurred our
cslves. Now at last had como the
moment for action. But still another
grumbled; and still fortune favored
us.
That is all very we'll" objected Ig-
natiefY "ADd perhaps traitor may
strike a blow I'm the dark. for one
refuse to crafty the curiosity OF Kuhn
in this matter"
But stnrva was determined to
have his way.
ITO prevent that" no answered.
leach Of us will lay his weapons on
the table at the end OF the hall"
There were cries of fierce dissent
Starya silenced them with an angry
gesture.
"One moment, friends" he purred
''You do not quite understand. When
we first came into this room ] sug-
gested that lots should be drawn, and
number should fire. concealed In the
gloom, that none might be sure who
had been chosen to snuff out Ferdl-
nand's little soul But since our
friend Kuhn's loyalty has been ques-
TONED. 1t is he who shall have that
honor. and with GornJfs dagger he
shall do the work. And Ice an acci
dent should happen. or lest his cour-
age should fail him, Braunau and
will keep our rcvolvers. l think there
is none TO question our loyalty7"
Kuhn had grown frightfully pale;
he trembled. But he spoke no word.
by this arrangement" continued
Starya, "the loyalty OF Kuhn of Mace
donia will be established And II" he
was glaring at Gingaja and Count
Piteschti." there are any mad enough
TO dream of dIsloyalty at this late
hour. and harbor treachery, they vii!
be powerlces.
Starya's ruse was hailed with
shouts OF approval, Go-nJi, Ignaticff
and Gortschakoff strobe to the table |
Mt the end of the hall and flung down
their weapons deflantly. Gingaja re-
luctautly followed their example. |
Piteschu folded his arms defantly.
standing motionless.
This is chlld's play" he muttered. |
with pale lips
Nevertheless" whispered Bratlnau
in his ear, you VIII obey. and quick
ly. By all the saints. Starya, / think |
your plan has proved a wise one.
Come sir, we arc waiting. Or are
you so ignorant OF the rules of eti- |
quette that YOU insist in taking preco-
dence over a king?"
With a gesture of despair Count |
Piteschti walked slowly to tho table
and left hir revolver there.
Now. friend Kuhn. we are waiting
only for you'" cried Starva sharply.
Il have no arms" answered the
poor wretch. with a sob
you shall be armed presently"
cried Gornji
Now, Jaaues, you may 60 Out
with the canuics. GornU and Ie.
naued. The rest of you remain
quietly as you value your lives. You
Will find your man defenseless,
Jacques. But II he proves trouble
come, you have only to call and l |
Will come. You have taken care OF
Alphonse7"
Il have put him to sleep." he
chuckled
AS Jaques lifted the tapestry Locke
choked him into silence. Together We
carried him struggling up the hidden
staircase and burst into the anteroom
OF the tower Not until we had flung
him breathless into tho room of the
sale, aud had locked the door. did
we answer Forbes frenzied questions.
Locke grippcd his arm for silence
Quick. there Is not a moment 10
lose. Have you arms?"
No" growled Forbes. ready for ac-
ton.
In the first room to the right OF the
corridor" painted Madame de Var.
nier. In the drawer Of the cabinet
near the door"
Then come. And you two stay
here. There Is mans work below"
We stole silontly down the stairs.
Locke and myself In the lead. to the
cabinet where both Locke and Forbes
chose their revolvers.
Do you, Capt Forbes. make your
way along the gallery until you come
to the spiral staircase at the end OF
tho hall, l commanded. briefly.
When l appear at tho main stairway
with Locke, reach the hall with no
delay. There is q table by the little
stairway; there are arms on It: let
no one approach that table until
Locke or myself have reached your
side. Now thon, Locke, are we ready?'
We had filed silently into the cor.
3dor- Forbes sped with caution to
his vantage ground. Locke was al.
ready approaching the main staircase
when | seized him by the arm.
Il am going to fool Starva | am
going TO call for help. He will think
1t jacques. AS he comes, | shall
take caro- OF him. Bratinau is your
man. Wait I'll be shows himself, and
mind you. aim straight"