The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-10-21
Europe's Armageddon and
Continued.0

6Continued.)
 ssLookr' interrupted the king and pointed upward with long, lean fin ger.
 Pestovitch followed that indication and then glanced for one questioning moment at the white face before him.
 tfWe have to face it out, sire" he said.
 For some moments they watched the steep spiraIs of the descending mes sengers, and then they began a nasty consultation.
 They decided that to be holding a council upon the details of an ultimate surrender to Brissago was as innocent looking a thing as the king could well be doing, and so when at last the ex- king Egbert, whom the council had sent as it's envoy, arrived upon the scene, he discovered the king almost theatrieally posed at the head of his councillors in the midst of his court The door upon the wireless operators was shut.
 The ex-king from Brissago came lfkea draft through the curtains and attend ants that gave wide margin to King Ferdinand's state. and the familiar confidence of his manner belied a cer- tain hardness in his eye. Firnin trot- ted behind him, and no one else was with him. And as Ferdinand Charles rose to greet him there came into the heart of the Balkan king again that same chilly feeling that he had felt upon the balcony, and it passed at the careless gestures of his guest, For surely any one might outwit this fool ish ta1ker who for a mere idea at the command Of little French rationa1ist had thrown away the most ancient crown in all the world
 One must deny. deny.
 And then slowly and quite tiresomely he realized that there was nothing to deny. His visitor, with an amiabfe ease, wentson talking about everything !. in debate between himself and Bris- sago except
 Could it be that they had been de- layed? Could it be that they had had to drop for repairs and were still un- captured3 Could it be that even now while this fool babbled they were over there among the mountains heaving their deadly charge over the side of the aeropIane?
 Strange hopes began to lift the tail of the Slavic fox again.
 What was the man say1ng7 One must talk to him, anyhow, until one knew. At any moment the little brass door behind him might open with the news of Brissago blown to atoms. Then 1t would be delightful relief to the present tension to arrest this chat terer forthwith. He might be killed perhaps. Wh1t?
 The king WIS repeating his observa- ton. sThey have q ridiculous fancy that your confidence is based on the possession Of atomic bombs. :
 King Ferdinand Charles pulled him self together He protested.
 tOh. quite 50. said the ex-king; quite so.
 What grounds .g
 The exskfn1 ne;anitted himself ges- lure and the epasz of I chuckIe- Why the deyil silouitl L. chueE1e2 Practi- calIy n.sIle.r be s.Iid. But, of course, with these things one has to peso care ful. 7
 And then again for an instant some thing like the fafntest shadow of de rision gleamed out of the enyoy's eyes. and recalled that chilly feeling to King Ferdinand's spine.
 Some kindred depression had come to Pea9ovitch, who had been watching the drawn intensity of Firmin's face, He came to the help of his master. who, he feared, might protest too much.
 IA searchv' cried the king. An em- bargo on our aeroplanes"
 .sOnly as temporary expedient said the ex-king Egbert, while the search is going on
 The king appealed to his council.
 sIThe people will never permit it, sire,'' said a bustling little man in a gorgeous uniform
 sYou'I have to make 'cn," said the ex-king genially addressing all the councillors
 King Ferdinand glanced at the closed brass door through which no news would come.
 When would you want to have this search P
 The ex-king was radiant. eve couldn't morrow he said
 "Just the eapitaI?''
 t.Where else?'' asked the ex-king still more cheerfully.x
 For nay own part" said the ex-king confdentially, .sI think the whole busi- ness ridiculous. Who would be such a fool as to hide atomic bombs? Nobody. Certain hanging if he's caught; certain and almost certain blowing up if he isn't. But nowadays I have to take orders like the rest of the world. And here I am.',
 The king thought he had never met such detestabIe geniality. He glanced at Pestoyitch, who nodded almost i'm perceptibly. It was well, anyhow, tc have a fool to deal with. They might have sent a diplomatist- "Of course, said the king, q recognize the over towering force-and a kind of logic in these orders from Brissago.'
 q knew you would said the ex king, with an air of relief. and so le us arrange''-
 They arranged with certain in formaltty. No Balkan aeroplane wa to adventure into the air until th