The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1909-01-12

written order. lie pfOuuceu the order
| the king had signed before his death.
Sophy had been thinking. Neither
lher courage nor her cunning forsoob
lher She waved the document away
IL can take your word. captain? Your,
making no mistake today? really an
baroness Dobrava-not somebody else
with whom you have feudy' She
laughed at him gayly and went on
l"Well. I'm ready. I'm dressed for O
ride. and III ride with you immediate
ly. In two minutes Wen be on" She
saw a groom In the road staring az the
troopers and called to him to bring hel
a horse.
| This prompt obedience by no means
suited Mistitch's book. II forced him
either 10 show his hand or to ride OF
with Sophy. leaving the prince TO his
( devices, and, In little while. TO his re
venge.
81 mustn't hurry you. You have some
preparations
"None," said Sophy. Her horse was
led ont into the road.
you'll nj least desire to acquaint his
royal highness"- aH fN
| Not at all necessary. Baron Won
Hollbrandt can do that later on"
Mistitch looked puzzled. Sophy smil
ed. Her Intuition had been right. The
attack ON her was a feint, her arrest a
blind The prince was the real object
of the move, She stepped down toward
Mistitch.
| II see my horse is ready. We can
start at once. captain" she said.
| I'm instructed 10 express TO the
prince regret that II should be neces.
sary''-
"The regret viii be conveyed to him.
Come. captainr'
But Mistitch barred her way.
"His royal highness is In the castle;''
he asked. His voice grew angry now.
Tie feared the great stivse had failed
He saw that Sophy played with him.
How would he and his escort look rid
ing back TO Slavna with nothing to
show for their journey save the cap
ture OF one unresisting woman-a wo-
man whom they dared not harm while
the prince remained free and might be-
come all POWERFUL
"If he had been you'd have known II
by now. / think" smiled Sophy. "No,
the prince isn't at the castle"
I'm see hat for myselfr' Mistitch
cried. taking a step forward.
With n low laugh Sophy drew aside,
passed him and ran down the cause
way. In an instant she darted between
the ranSs Of Mistitch's men and reached
her horse. The groom mounted her.
She looked up TO Mistitch and called to
him gayly:
"Now for Slavna. captain! And hur.
~ or you'il be left behindr'
Her wit was too quick for him. Max
Won Hollbrendt burst out laughing. Pc.
ter Vassip grinned.
"What are you waiting for. captain;'
asked Max. "Your prisoners only too
anxious TO 20 with you. you see.'
"I'll search the castle firstr' he cried
in n rage. which made him forget his
part.
Peter vassip sprang forward and
barred the way. Mistitch raised his
mighty arm, but sophy's voice rang
out gayly:
Nonsense. Peteri There's nothing 10
conceal. let the captain pass
Her words stopped Mlstitch. He
feared trap. Max saw Il aud Knocked
him. Don't be afraid. captain. Take
fifty men In with you. The garrison
consists Of a lady in bed. an old man
and FIVE female servants"
Sophy heard and laughed. Even the
troopers begin 10 laugh now. Mistitch
stood on the top Of the caus-way. r.
resoiute. baficd. furious.
But liehin his stupidity lag the cum
alng astuteaess Of Siafnitz the In
genious bit OF dcyiltry. Mistitcnt name
awaited where bis brain could .iot For
the moment the prince made little of
the crown which had become his When
he heard Zcrkoyiich's news his ovty-
pOwerlng thought was that the woman
he loved mi mt he exposed 20 the pow
er and the insults OF Mistiich. Sophy
was playing a skillful game for Tim,
but .he did not know Il.
Il hear something" said Peter Vas
sip again. whispering TO Max won Holl-
brandt.
Yes. there was the galloplng OF horses
on the Nolsoni road.
Colonel stafnitz had not miscalcu-
lated.
Now Mist;tch heard the sound. His
heavy face frightened. lie ran dow
the causeway loudly ordering his mel
10 mount. lie was no longer at loss.
He had his cue now-the cue stafnItz
had given him.
IL <->Eo
~
,AzdS6i.,.na~
.-R-&2l s<>er<fs-