Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1911-12-05
! am I'm no mood for talking of It

She dropped me a low courtesy, and
went quickly through the other
rooms, neither being spoken to nor
speaking to any.
As was leaving the palace, how
ever. a hand was laid upon my Shout
der, and turned to face a friend, a
knight who had ever taken part with
me against my enemies.
"Sir Verrall. let me come with you"
Il warn you am poor company to-
night" I answered.
1.-Two swords are better than one
when the night Is dark and the attack
| sudden and from behind"
"Why should you fear attack to.
night?"
"The town is full of drunken SOL
diers, and a fallen man is food for
any assassin's dagger. The murderer
may be thanked for getting rid Of SO
turbulent q subject-or thinks he may"
I laughed at his somber foreboding,
but was not i'll pleased to have his
company. His presence may have pro-
tected me, do not know, but reach
ed my quarters in safety.
Organ was not there. I guessed
that the attractions Of the town had
proved too much for him tonight, and
I was not sorry to be alone. I crossed
the room and looked out upon the mar.
ket place. The sounds Of merrymak-
ing run to riot rose up to me. The
dawn would bring the chanting priests,
the flashing swords and the stakes with
their CHASTITY burdens. What could l
do more to prevent the butchery?
Nothing absolutely nothing. l had
played my trump card and lost.
Not only had not helped the pris-
oners. but l had put my own life in
jeopardy. I had no mercy to hope for
from the princess, and could not ex-
pect the priests to raise finger in
my protection now that l had attempt.
ed to wreck one Of their dearest laws.
Should 60 to the priests and, playing
upon their superstition, command them
to save their prisoners? Should I
steal out, mount my horse, ride to
Yadasara and proffer my services to
lead the kings troops to victory against
their enemies? Should l go back to
the palace and attempt to speak again
with the princess? And then, I regret
to say, wondered if the lives of these,
prisoners were worth the sacrifice l
had made for them, whether I should
not have been wiser to take Organs
advice and look after my own skin.
Presently realized that the town
had grown quieter. Listening for
Organ. I heard something else
stealthy footsteps coming along the
corridor. Under the circumstances 1t
was not strange that should think
Of treachery. drew my sword noise
lessly and waited. There was quick
knock at my door.
"Who comes at so late an hour?'' I
said. throwing the door open and ready
to defend myself.
welcome you all your friends 80.
Sir Verrall?"
It was Jasar, and he smiled as he
pointed to my drawn sword.
II expected foe"
"And perhaps with reason" he said.
Still. come as friend and secretly.
Close the door and make 1t fast and
let us speak low. Your servant has
not returned?"
mo"
"And will not tonight. He was found
brawling In the streets and was ar
rested"
II thought soldiers were privileged
to brawl tonight" said.
"Some-not ALL"
"You mean that only my servant was
arrested?"
He bowed and watched me with a
smile upon his face, even as he had
watched me as I pleaded to the prin. !
cess.
by vasca's orders. doubtless?
Doubtless"
"Ah, for few moments with him |
to settle our score now and for all |
time!" said impatiently.
"What can you expect? A fallen |
man is ever a stepping stone which |
others use to rise to higher favor"
"Fallen, you say! 1t is too rash an |
Falling. perhaps, but not |
fallen. When Sir Verrall completely |
falls he'll carry some ruin with him."
"Brave words-an idle boast should |
have said had another uttered them.
But Sir Verrall has proved himself as
good as his words. Tell me, are all |
men as you are in the land you come
from?"