The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1910-08-16
(Continued.)

(SOulluueuJ
The drive through the streets.
gay with busy people, was attend
ed by the manifestations grown
familiar. More eager way was
made for Stanief than for the
Emperor himself; the chances
which followed him were grateful
and keenly anxious. Once a girl
in a passing farmers cart rose to
toss into the carriage sheaf of
wildflowers.
Little Father of the People!"
she called in the soft, cultural vet
nacular.
1t was a title given only to SOW
ereigns; Stanief flushed and
frowned together.
THAT will not do" he comment
ed drily, leaning back in the shad-
ow of the victoria top.
You have permitted them to
think, and they give you your YER
dict" Allard answered.
The carriage turned from the
great square to an avenue leading
toward the palace. DenSely
packed with people, there was a
brief pause before the way could
be cleared. Noting a change in the
atmosphere, a chill and more nerv-
Gus haste. Allard lifted his eyes to
his companion.
This carriage. and with you in
the shadow, monseigneur," he OBJ
served,-"they think it is the EN-
peror who passes
The reply was not made by Stan
lief. Straight and surely aimed, a
missile hurtled from an upper win
dow in one TO the buildings and
fell on the cushions beside him.
For peace and freedom"
shrieked a man, leaning from the
window In half-insane excitement
and waving his arms above his
head. mo Adrian-for the En-
peror FeodOr."
The crowd grew white with up
turned faces; then, cemprehending,
broke into tumult and panic.
Screaming. frantic, one and all
turned to fly from the vicinity of
the carriage. Allard snatched the
bomb from the seat and rose to
fling 1t from him, but even as he
checked himself, Stanief seized
his arm.
Not into the people. john" he
ordered sharply. Better keep it
here than that"
60. you!" Allard implored,
turning the smoking object in his
hands for examination. go. mon
seigneur!"
Above the uproar of the fighting,
shrieking mob rose the agonized
cry of the man at the window as
he saw the Regents face:
You! oYu! The fuse, pull the
fuse!"
"Fuse?" echoed Allard, catching
at a small hanging thread of cot
ton. "Monseigneur, go, go! l can
handle this"
The cotton broke off short; a
steady kissing warned them that 1t
still burned inside.
Give 1t here" Stanief command
ed collectedly, Get your pen
knife"
The two men bent above the
oval. gray messenger of hate and
death. Around them ragged indie
scribable disorder; the very coach
man and footmen had fled from
the carriage.
"If you would go!" Allrad
painted, his voice tense.
Bah" said Stanief. and forced
the bomb from him
An ominous swapping came from
within. Stanief's strong white
fingers fitted themselves to the
crack and with a superb effort he
twisted the thing In half.
"Ah!" gasped Allard, as great
cloud OF smoke rushed forth.
Stanief drew out the fuse as 1t
reached the end, and flung 1t into
the street.
Lighted too late" he explained.
Our terrorists are clumsy"
They meant 1t for Adrian" he
answered. You were right"
They found each others hands
through the choking fumes: Al
lard's fingers scorched by the gun
cotton. Stanief's bruised and bleed
ing from the force used to open the
machine.
AS the smoke cleared they