The Ocala evening star., 1911-05-27

Il believe you would.
"I was a fool not TO do il the night
she attempted to plunge a dagger into
me-"
"You were" he answered.
He evidently had no doubt what he
himself would have done under simi-
lar circumstances.
Fortunately the blows had missed
nv eyes, on one side by less than
quarter Of an inch. Had she struck
little higher / had not lived TO write
this history l should have perished
miserably on the rack. For before me
had work which required keen sight,
although l did not know 1T just then.
AS it was, the blows had struck deep,
laying one cheek open to the bone.
carry the mark to this day, an angry
| fame across my face. / am never like
| ly to forget the woman who put 1t
! there. Under Costa's care. however,
| the wounds healed rapidly. He had an
| herbal ointment which did wonders,
but 1t seemed mOckery that l, who
| was so soon to be tortured to death.
/ should be so carefully tended for what
was, after all, a minor evil.
when is my day coming. Costa!"
asked. ''It is weary work waiting"
He shook his head.
"It has been longer than expected"
he answered.
Can that woman do me any harm
with the executioners, l mean? She
threatened that she would pay them
we'll If they turned the levers slowly
enough"
"You may trust them. They are not
made of sentimental stuff and think
more of one man than they do OF a
hundred women"
satisfied myself every morning that
Daria was still safe, putting Costa on
his oath to be truthful to me.
One evening my dungeon door
opened and Costa entered with O'Ryar
, and guard Of half dozen men.
by his majesty's command you
will tomorrow be questioned as to your
knowledge Of various matters his maj
esty wishes information upon. YOr
will be questioned in such a manner a:
shall insure the truth, and since there
is no limit to the mercy his majesty
may extend toward you you are ad
certain knowledge has come to hi
majesty's ears concerning you-that b!
nature or by artifice your limbs ar
coarser than Is usual with men ant
that by reason of this and other cause
you may not be induced TO speak truly
| the pain able to be inflicted not beini
suff1cient-and since 1t is considere'
necessary to strike where there !
most likelihood of success 1t Is hi
majesty's pleasure that you shall frs
be taken from this dungeon to that o
the woman sometimes called tn
Princess Daria and shall there be
witness of her questioning"
Costa recited the sentence in mono
tone without feeling as though tn
matter were of no real interest to hin
Then he gave a word of command
the guard, who tramped out Of the ce
, and left me alone with Costa an
Organ.
THAT she devil is responsible fe
this"
He nodded.
Can / trust the e1ecutionersT
Yes. She will die quickly, but
He paused.
"Well2"
"If this woman or Count Vasca {
some other special enemy Is thel
they may say that the execut1one'
bungled at their work and deman
that others shall deal with you. Thel
would be no time to make friends wi,
them"
$50 long as she dies quickly I cal
not"
You are a brave man. I trust
may go well with you"
He held out his hand. l shook
and thanked him for all he had don
He had indeed been gentle jatler
Then Organ held out his hand.
took it for the sake of the past.
There is long night before you
said Costa. shall stay with you I
awhile, or would you sooner be alone
At that moment Organ grasped u
hand sharply. There was no dou
about 1t this time. What did he mea
Il would be alone" said.
Costa bowed tremendously as
left the dungeon, and Organ as
followed him turned for an insta
and smiled. was expected to und'
SldAu OS taO piScSoAS' -
by his smile I imagined I had ma
the right answer TO Costa's question
But. after all, what could the Iris
man do for me, even If he rea
Nv wished TO help me at this late hou
A sudden fear took possession Of n
which made my limbs shake as thou
the palsy were In them. For an houl
4 1t may have been more-fear shook n
- Ny enemies would have rejOiced cou
e. they have spied upon me during Ii
time. Then my will power return
to steady me, and paced my dunge
until l was sensible Of no quiver in I
firmness OF my steps. Certain that
attack was over. | lay down on
couch. hoping 70 sleep.
| did sleep. how long / cannot Il
but touch suddenly awoke me.
- Hush said a voice in my ear.
The dungeon was pitch dark.
could see no one.
Who Is it -
Dennis Organ. l haven't time
answer many questions. Listen TO I
Id It's your only chance, and it's p'
one. but it may just serve"
Can | trust yOu:'
Trust me, begorra, Haven't / bt
working night and day TO help 70
~ 6D' ~