The Ocala evening star., 1910-03-17

terstocd and were exalted. No other
word passed between them touching
upon the thing that was uppermost In
their minds.
Food vas provided for the wayfar-
ers. and Tullis' tent was made ready
for the countess and her maid.
The countess story was soon told.
Sitting before the great fire, surround
ed by eager listeners, she related her
experiences.
She had been seized on the night
Of the ball "a she started across Ler
fathers garden. and escape lad be-
come possible only through :he aid o;
!osepha and the girls father. Farm
ers' wives told them Of the newly
formed army and OF it's leaders. She
determined to make her way TO the
camp Of those who would destroy her
husband. eager TO give them any as
sistarce that her own knowledge of
Marlanx's plans might provide.
One bit CT information she gave
created no end Of CONSERVATION among
the would be delivere:s Of tie cit. Ii
had the effect of making them all the
for immedia lely regainIng corIrCI In
the city was forced upon them. She
told them that Count Marla3X had
lately received word that the Grand
Duke Paulus was likely TO intervene
before MANY lays, acting on his OVID
initiative. III he belief that he could
force the go"ernment of GrauSta:i to
grant The r. way privileges SO Iluch
desired by lis country. MarlGnL re-
slized that he would have to forestall
the willy grand duke. II he were in
absolute control OF the Graustar!1 gov
ernment WHEN the Russian appeared
he, aDd he alone. would be in a posi-
ton to Leal With the situation.
The GranG duke may send Il large
force Of men across the border at any
time" said the countess in conclusion.
Count MarlalX Is sure to make de-
cisive assault as soon as he hears that
the movement has begun. !ie hGd
hopes of starving them out, thus saw
Ing the castle from destruction, but as
that seems unlikely his shells Will
soon begin to rain in earnest upon the
dear cid pile
TruTton King was listening with
wide open ears. AS she finished this
dreaGy predic ion he silen,l- Gr0se to
bis feet AID, without word to any
one, stalked eff IN the darkness. Tul-
Is locked after him and shook lis head
sadly.
I'll be happy on that fellows ac-
count when daybreak comes and we
ba To pt,in.a
Dantan, who knew something Of Kings
aftiiction.
But Truxton King was not there at
, 6aybreak. When he strode out Of the
camp that night he left 1t behind for
ever.
The unfortunate lack Of means TO
comm Inicate with the occupants of
the castle had been the source Of great
distress to Captain Haas. If the de-
tenders could be informed as TO the
exact hour OF the assault from the out
side they could do much toward its
speedy success by making a fierce sor-
/ tie from behind their own walls. A
quick dash from the castle grounds
would serve to draw Marlanx's atten-
ton In that direction. diminishing the
| force that he would send TO check the
! onslaught at the gates.
Truxton King had all this IN mind
as he swung OF down the mountain
! road, having stolen past the sentries
! with comparative ease. The danger
! from Marlanx's scouts outside the city
! was not great; they had been scattered
and beaten Dy Haas recruiting par
CT. .rI In 6anuar from
! the rlen he would help, they who were
, the wacchful defenders OF the castle.
! 1t r,Ist have been 2 o'clock whan be
: crossed the kings highway, a ME or
more above the northern gates, and
! struck down into the same tLick un-
/ dergrowth that had protected him and
I Hobbs on a memorable night not long
, before
, At o'clock a dripping figure threw
: up his hands obliGnGly ard laughed
with exultat.cn when confronted By q
startled cuardsman inside the castle
walls and not more than fifty yards
from the water gate. He shouted Q
friendly cry as he advanced toward
the man. calling out his own name.
Ten minutes later be was standing
in the presence Of the haggarL, nerve
racked Quir1ox. pouring into lis as
tonished ears the news Of the coming
attack. The colonel lost no tine II
routing out the sleeping guarosmer
end reserves and IN sending com
mards to those already on duty at the
gates
(Cor :inued Saturday