The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1909-01-09

i Wnen ne inuSts Two IullcS.
He was getting terribly tired now.
but not cold-rather he was feverishly
hot inside his clammy garments. He
turned along country cross road
which ran west and passed through q
village. leaving the Hotel de Paris on
the main road far TO his right. At last
he reached the main road south and
turned up il. heading again for Slavna
Il and for the bridge which crossed the
South river. He pcssed the bridge
without being challenged as the cathe-
drnl clock struck midnight from 81.
Michncrs square. The worst Of his
task was accomplished. II now he
could find Zerkovitchl
But he was sore spent. Running was
out OF the question now. He slunk
slowly and painfully along the south
boulevard. clinging close TO the fences
n the gardens. seeking the shelter OF
the trees which oyerhung them.
Dragged. hatless. dirty. infinitely
weary. at last he reached Zerkovitch's
house at the corner where the boule-
ward and the Street OF the Fountain
meet. He opened the garden gate and
walked I'm. Spent as he was, he breathed
a "Bravoi" when he saw a light burn
ing in the hall. He staggered on. rang
the bell and fairly fell in a lump out.
side the door.
He had done well. lie, a man OF
peace. busy with clothes-he had done
well that night But he was. finished.
When Zerkovitch opened the door he
found little more than heap Of dank
and dirty raiment. He hauled Ii In
and shut the door. He supported Lee
page into the study. sat him by the fire
and got brandy for him TO drink, pour
ing out full half tuhbler. Lepage
took It and drank the better part Of II
ut a gulp. tff tI
1.-THE king died at o'clock. NJ. Zerko-
vitchr he said. He drank the rest let
the tumbler fall. with n crash. in the
'ender, buried his head on his breast
md fell into blank Inconsistencies.
He was out Of the battle as much as
Markart, who slept the clock around In
spite Of Stenovics' shakings and DIR.
Natcheff's rubbings and stimulants.
But he had done his part. 1t was for
Zerkovitch to do his now.
The king had died at o'clockf II
was certainly odd. that story. because
Zerkovitch had just returned from the
Offices OF the Patriot. aud Immediately
before he left he had sent down In the
foreman printer an Official cominuEilue
to be Inserted In his paper. II was TO
the effect that Captain Mistitch and a
guard OF honor OF fifty men would
leave-Slavna next morning at O'Clock
for Dobrava TO be In readiness TO re-
ceive the king. who had made magnifi-
cent progress and was about TO proceed
TO his country seat to complete his con
valescence. ua
Captain Mistitch and a guard OF hon.
or for Dobraval Zerkoyitch decided
that he would IL possible ride ahead Of
them TO Dobrava-that is. part OF the
way. But first he called his old house
keeper and told her TO put Lepage TO
bed
Don't worry about anything he says.
He's raving." he added thoughtfully-
But poor Lepage raved no more that
night He did not speak again till all
was over. lie had done his part.
At 3 o'clock In the morning Zerko-
Witch left Slavna hidden under sack
In carriers cart. He obtained a
horse at high price from a farmer
three miles along the road and thence
set ont for the castle az his best speed.
At Captain MistitciL charged with
Stafnltz's careful Instructions. set out
with his guard Of honor along the same
road going TO Dobraya to await the
arrival OF the king. who lay dead In the
palace on the krath. -
But since they started at and not
Z. as the official communiqne led Ter
kovitch TO suppose. he had an hour less
10 spare than he thought. Moreover,
they went not fifty strong. but hun
dred.
These two changes-of the hour and
the force-were made as soon as Ste
movies and Stafnitz learned OF Lepage's
escape. A large force and midnight
march would have aroused suspicion
In slavna. The general did what he
could safely do 10 meet the danger
which the escape suggested-the dan
ger that news OF the kings death might
be carried TO i'raslok before Mistitch
and his escort got there.