Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-19

the houses opposite
Alec did not seem to heed. The look of blank
amazement on his face proved that he had ridden
straight from the review ground to the university
whereas call at the Presidents house would have
enlightened him.
1T is true, dear whispered Joan. They came
with US from Paris; in the same train. that is. We
all arrived at Degratz this morning. Your mother
spoke to me on the platform at Vienna
He smiled with something of the old careless
the best" he said Nothing surprises me now, not
this and he nodded cheerfully toward the
landing and stairs, whence rush of footsteps and
clamOr OF voices audible.
THE handle of the door was wrenched violently
and shots fired into the lock and at the
panels. but the wood was seasoned and stanch, and
noting short of rifle would drive bullet through
The door creaked and strained under the pressure of
the mutineers shoulders. Had it not been REIN
forced by the solid sideboard and equally heavy
table, it must have given way. As it was, no four
men IN Degratz could hope to force an entrance and
no more than four could attack it simultaneously.
1t was noteworthy that no one called on the King
to come out These hirelings enraged against ruler
justice and uprightness of honest government and
clean handed service to the State made pretense
of requesting hearing for their grievances. They
had planned to shoot him in cold blood while he and
his three companions were momentarily delayed by
the barrier of the bullock in front of the
cafe. Baked of this easy means of attaining their
end, they were still of success. But their cries
and curses were intended only for self encourage
ment. Not even the bloodstaned Seventh Regiment
had the erontery to ask their victim to admit them
There was momentary quoting OF their Wild
beast fury when the door resisted their utmost eff
forts. Joan tried to persuade her tortured mind that
the conspiracy had failed
They will not dare to remain she whispered
They know that assistance may arrive at any mo-
ment: Listen, they are going now!,'
Are you gentlemen armed! asked Felix grinly
Yes with riding whips" said Alec For my
part, have refused to carry any more dangerous
weapon; though it is true that entered Delgratz
with sword in my hand he added, remembering
with twinge his imagining of Joan's ready laugh
when she heard of Prince Mchael's brown paper
parcel.
would prove useful when the panels broken
which will happen just soon as these high spirited
politicians on the landing secure axes, went on
Felix remorselessy.
He wanted Joan to realize the certain fate that
awaited her once the door gave way. Concealment
was useless and he hoped she would faint before the
end came.
What price the leg of chair" asked Beauma-
noir. The Pole bent his cleaning gray eyes on the
no; do better than that. You would be shot
before you could strike blow. Joan. please crawl
past the window and stand upright in the corner
close to the wall. You follow, Alec 60 next and
this young gentleman, who must be Lord Adalbert
Beaumanoir since he has all the outward signs Of the
British arstocracy will place himself the door,
If he does exactly what tell him. we still have a
fighting chance.
The change of position advised by Poluski
dered them safe from their assaants bullets until
the door actually off its hinges and the furniture
thrust aside In the last resort. Alec meant to show
himself at window and offer a fair target to the
in the houses across the street. When he fell
the shooting from that quarter would cease. Then.
acting his precise instructions. Beaumanoir and
Felix must lift Joan through another window and al
low her to drop to the pavement 1t was not far.
She might escape uninjured and there was a posi-
bility that the mob would spare woman who was an
utter stranger, one in way mixed up in Kosnovan
affairs.
TIME enough to take this final step when their de-
Tense was forced, and that would be soon In
all likelihood, he had not much more than minute
to live, and he devoted that minute to loan.
Sweetheart he murmured tenderly .You saw