The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1909-01-02
Tophy Of
kravOnia.
By ANTHONY HOPE.
Author Of The Prisoner ef zsnds-~
Copyright 1906. Anthony HOPE
Hawkins-


Il N~~--~-~--~<<
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 fairer chance that
the prince. too would go 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. a1.
Again. she was to go before the audi
ence. That was another point. The
peril OF the audience remained. but
they had improved their chances. Per-
haps Stafnitz's brain was already busy
with the possibilities Of his mission and
his escort. The latter was to be large
enough to make him secure from hin
drance by any act short OF open and
armed resistance to the kings COM
mands II II were impossible. as his
majesty obviously considered. to con-
template such resistance 1t was evil
IDENTIFY no less impossible 10 reckon
what might happen as a consequence
OF II,
The king rang his bell impatiently.
II want my draft again. I'm very
tired. Is there anything else which
need detaln us today?"
AS he spoke. before Stenovics could
answer. Lepage came in with the draft.
The valet wore an even unusually de
mure and uninterested expression.
There is one other matter, SIR" said
Stenovics.
The king paused In the act of drink
ing and listened. with his glass In hrs
hand. Lepage standing beside him.
"Your majesty just now impressed
on us the need OF secrecy as TO what
passes between these walls. think.
rir, you would insist on the same thing
with all who serve you confidentially
Won haven't asked, sir, how the prince
became aware OF the state of your
majesty's health"
The king started little. mo; for
got that II was against my direct or
iers. How was it,"
Stenovics kept his eyes on the king
Markart and Stafnitz allowed them
selves TO study Lepage's features. He
stood the scrutiny well.
The news. sir. was betrayed by n
man within these walls-a man In close
touch with yCur majesty"
"Satcheifv exclaimed the king.
Certainly Dot str. Another. This
man, Of whom I had suspicious and
whom l caused TO be WATCHED. went by
night TO the house of NJ. Zerkovitch.
who is, as you are aware, close friend
and. II may use the word. an adhercnt
Of the Prince of slavna Their inter
view took place between and 10 last
night. At IL Zerkovitch. having Dor.
rowed a horse from the princes sta
bles, set out for Praslok He rode hard
through the nigat aud reached the cas-
tie, as Captain Markart has told us. In
the small hours of the morning. There
be had an interview with the prince.
He left Prasiok between and I IN the
morning and arrived at his house on
the south boulevard by IL. At half
past IL he walked up the Street OF the
Fountain. crossed St Michaei's square
and entered a small inn in a little alley
behind the cathedral. Here the man
speak of was waiting for him. They
were together half an hour. Zerko-
witch then left. The man remained tia
1. then came out and returned to the
palace b. circuitous route. arriving
here about O'Clock. l venture TO say
that the meaning Of all this is quite
clear This man is In communication
with Praslok, using Zerkovitch as his
intermediary. It's for your majesty to
say how far his disobedience In regard
to acquaiDting the prince with your
condition is a serIons ohense. As 70
that I say nothing. but it will be OBJ
vious that this man should know moth
ing Of any private measures undertaken
or contemplated"
The king had listened carefully. "The
case seems clear" he said. ''This fel
lows a traitor. He's dore harm al
ready and may do more. What do you
ask. generalfb safis7
"We might be content TO let him
know nothing. but who can be quite
certain of insuring that? Sir. you have
just arrived at a very important de-
cislon-to take certain action. Absolute
secrecy Is essential TO its success. I've
no wish TO press hardly on this man.
but feel bound to urge that he should
be put under arrest and kept In the
charge Of a person who Is beyond sus-
picion until the action to which l refer
has been successfully carried out"
''The precaution is an obvious one and
the punishment hardly sufficient" The
king rose. do as you say, general.
leave you full discretion. And now I'll
GU to my room and rest. I'm very
tired. Give me yours arm, Lepage. aud
come and make me comfortable"
Lepage did not offer his arm. He was
not looking at the king nor listening to
him. His eyes and his ears were for
General Stenovics. Stenovics rose now
and pointed his finger at Lepage.
THAT, sir. is the man." said he.
"Lepager' cried the king and sank
heavily into his seat, with bc-vildered
face. Lepage-his familiar-the man
be trusted.
"A. @I III