The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1910-02-28

food and drink. 1t was high
time, for he was almost fam
ished. Thereafter twice day he was
led into the larger room and given a
surprisingly hearty meal.
Peter Brutus had just voiced the
pleasure of the majority by urging the
necessity for physical torture to wiring
the governments secrets from the pris
oner King, half furnished. half crazed
by thirst, had been listening to the
fierce argument through the thin door
that separated the rooms. He heard
the sudden, eager movement toward
the door Of his cell and squared him
self against the opposite wall, ready to
fight to the death. Then there came u
voice that he recognized.
A woman was addressing the con-
spirators in tones of deadly earnest
ness. His heart gave Il bound. 1t was
the first time since his incarceration
that he had heard the voice of Olga
Platanova, she who still must be his
friend.
mo! You shall not torture him.
have said he is no spy. l still say it,
she was exclaiming.
"GOd. girl, we cannot turn him loose
now. He must die" This was from
Spantz.
1--WE cannot release him, 1 grant
YOU" she said, and Truxton's heart
sank. Not now, but afterward, yes
When it is all over he can do no harm
But hear me now, all Of you. If he is
harmed in any way shall not perform
my part of the work on the 26th. This
is finaI''
''You cannot withdraw" exclaimed
Peter Brutus. "You are pledged. You
are sworn. 1t is ordained"
Il, Olga Platanova, say this to you.
1t is not plea. not petition: it is an
ultimatum. Spare him or the glorious
cause must suffer by my detection"
Ssh! Not so loud, girl. He can hear
every word you say"'
LET him hear. Let him know that
l., Olga Platanova, am to hurl the thing
that is to destroy the life of Prince
Robin. l am not afraid to have him
know today what the world will know
next week Then the world Will say
that Olga Platanova was not a beast
but delivernr, a creator, Let hin
hearr
The listeners blood was running
cold. The life of Prince Robin. An
assassination! 1.-The thing that will
destroy" \ bomb,
For half an hour they argued with
her, seeking to turn her from the stand
she had taken. Then they came to
terms with her. TruxtOn King oweu
his life to this strange girl, who knew
him not at all. but who believed in him.
TruXton was brought into the room
a few minutes later. He was white
with emotion as he faced the commit
addressed to him he blurted out:
"You towards. Weak as l am, |
would have fought for you, Miss Pla-
tanova, if l could have got through
that door. Thank you for what you
have done to convince these dogs!
Only don't do this awful thing. Think
Of that dear little boy"'
Olga PlatanOva cried out and covered
her eyes with her hands. She was
led from the room by William Spantz
Peter Brutus stood over King, whose
arms were held by two staIwart men.
"Enough"' he commanded. I'VE
spare you not for her sake. but for
the sake of the cause we serve. Hear
me! You are to be held here a prisoner
until our plans are consummated. You
will be properly fed and cared for.
You have heard Miss Platanova say
that she will cook the food for you
! herself, but you are not to see her"
/ King interrupted him. i haven't
| the least doubt that you VIII kill nlc In
the end. She may not be here to pro
| tect me after-after the aSSaSSina ton.
She is prepared to die by the same
! bomb that Stays the prince was al
| that Brutus would say in response tC
! this, but King observed the sly look
! that went around among them. He
/ knew then that they meant to kill hin
/ in the end.
/ Afterward. in his little room, he
! writhed in the agony Of hclpleSsness
! The prince. his court, the government
all were to be blasted to satisfy the