The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-02-12

Z
81 ceration began King was given
III 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 famished. 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 d
voice that he recognized
A woman was addressing the con-
spirators In tones OF deadly earnest
ness. His heart gave bound. 1t was
the first time since his inca recreation
that he had heard the voice of Olga
Platanova. she who still must be his
friend
1
have said he is no spy. | still say itr'
she was exclaiminG
'God, girl. We cannot turn him loose
now, He must die" This was from
Spahtz.
I'VE cannot release him. / grant
you" she said, and Truxton's heart
sank. Not how. but afterward, yes.
When 1t Is all over he can do no harm.
But hear me now. all of you IL he liz
harmed in any way | shall not perform
my part OF the work on the o6th. This
Is final"
"You cannot withdraw" exclaimed
Peter Brutus. You are pledged You
are sworn. 1t Is ordained"
Il. Olga Piatanoya. 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 ynis "a = .,-
Let him hear. Let him know that
]. Olga Platanova, am to hurl the thing
that is to destroy the life of Prince
Robir. 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 deliverer. creator. Let him
hear
The listeners blood was running
cold. The life of Prince Robin. An
assassination, The thing that will
Destroy A bomb.
For half en hour they argued with
her. seeking to turn her from the stand
she had taken. Then they came to
terms with her. TFHxteH King owed
his life 10 this strange girl who knew
him not at all. but who believed in him.
Truxton WAS brought into the room
few minutes later He was white
with emotion as he faced the commit
tee of ten. Before Il word could be /
addressed to him he blurted out.
You towards. Weak as | am, ]
would have fought for you. Miss Pa
tanova. If ] could have got through
that door. Thank you for what You
have done 10 convince these dogs, I
Only don't do this awful thing, Think I
of that dear little boyr
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 stalwart men.
Enough he commanded I'VE I
spare you not for her sake. but for
the sake OF the cause we serve Hear
me. You are to be held here prisoner
until our plans are consummated. You
will be properly fed and cared for
You have heard Miss Platanova say
hat she will cook the food for you
herself, but You are not to see her.
King interrupted him. Il haven't
he least doubt that you will kill me Ia
The end. She may not be here to pro-
ect me after-;lfter the assassination.
"She Is prepared to die by the same
oomb that Stays the prince" was all
hat Brutus would say in response to
his. but King observed the sly look
hat went around among them. He
Knew then that they meant to kill him
n the end