The Lamar register., 1911-08-09
OF THE /
S 7 A r /
BY Percy |
Brebmer J


over him would rise Sir. Verrall-Clin-
ton verall-my knight Of the Silver
Star"
For some moments there was silence.
and no voice was raised TO sneer at the
character which had been given me
You have Il powerful advocate. Sir
Knight" said the king presently. but
there is another side to the question
which condemns you deeply"
II am not worthy either OF such high
praise. your majesty. or such deep con-
domination"
You are modest as well rs valiant.
It would SEEM
81 lay claim to being an honest gen.
tleman. The world holds no higher
distinction.
DO honest men Hep be asked se-
verely. You did. else had you not
entered Yadasara the first time
Pardon. your highness. 1t was
Captain O'Ryan who gave certain &C.
counts OF me. which satisfied you. In
truth. my coming to the city was In
the nature of flight from my enc
miles,
/ was not disposed to spare Organ.
Why should | Def
"a valiant knight does not dee from
his enemies said the king
II fed from a would be assassin
Count vascs."
Truly. count. you have grevous
charges laid against you"
"who would believe the word of q
spy?' said the count savagely.
"That Is well spoken. Sir Knight
A spy What say you to thatf'
''Even what your majesty said Just
now II IL wise TO handle similar
weapons Ia those used by an enemy.
In the princess camp there was not
one spy. but n hundred Ever since I
came to Drissenland Count vasca and
his friends have been working to he
tray the princess She had not been
here now to hear your Judgment had
not that scoundrel turned against her
In the day Of battle. sealing long
season Of treachery by n crime that
any man must revolt at. that your
majesty must hate"
"You are here 10 defend yourself.
Sir knight. not to accuse our friends"
81 have no Defense I answered.
II have fought for the princess
serve. have done what n man can
do. and NV conscience acquits me.
But ! have word for your ma jesty,
II you will give me leave"
Are words from such a man worth
your maiesty's attention. said vasca-
When this man came to Drussenland
he made great promises. He spoke
boastfully that he would place the
princess on the throne in Yadasara.
that he would ind the treasure which.
II IL said. Is hidden In this land. This
man has accused me OF treachery. but
my deepest sin has been in throwing
in my lot with wiser men rather than
be carried away by the boastfui prom
ises of deceiver"
That is not all your sin. Count Vas
ca" I said Your majesty has &C.
cepted the friendship Of a man who
while he fawns upon you. IL plotting
your ruin
The count laughed eontemptuously.
THE proof" said the l',g. rising
from his chair
Captain Organ can give II you
The count spoke wisely when be
said that your words were not worth
our attention We have heard that
story from Captain Organs lips The
captain has confessed that be was In
error. His zeal for our safety and
some personal dislike to the count. fos-
tered by Yourself Sir Knight. made
him hasty in his Judgment Their
hands have met In confession and for
giveness. Is this all you have to say r.
'One mans word against another's
is poor security for truth" ! answered.
ct would that ! could prove the truth
Of my words at the swords point with
the count. with Organ or any other
man who doubts me-
Enough. enough cried the king.
Take him back to the fortress At
our pleasure he shall take back his lies
and perchancc tell some secret Of this
treasure There are hard questiouers
In the fortress. as you will find
They must he hard indeed to wiring
from me one good word for the villain
beside your majesty"
They have drawn out a confession
of love for mans worst enemy be
fore now said the king.
"Death puts an end to all questions.
I answered I'm my country men feat
not death II met in an honest cause
1.fU H. Eor