The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1914-01-17

WhA0ROACu NUM- 1abCl OANAlGAI III
Paul's ar. And Paul. looking, owned
that he had never seen a clearer re-
presentation Of the late Tsar than
this spectral figure with the gaunt
cheeks, gray beard, and mighty arms
stretched out over the company. The
Tsar had fallen upon his knees, the
courtiers followed suit, and somebody
among the audience was singing a
Russian hymn. 1t died away; the
figure still stood motionless before
the curtain; then Nicholas arose weak
ly and. prostrating himself upon the
lowest step, held communion with the
figure, which bent over him. Only the
whispers of their voices were audible
in the room.
The eyes Of all we're on the pair.
Ali watched, all wondered; perhaps of
that assembly half believed and hard
ly one was wholly sceptical. Paul
slipped, unnoticed, out of his chair,
and edged his way toward the front
row, Immediately behind the PROSTATE
sovereign.
A candle fickered in one corner
and the light fell clearly upon the
face of the tall figure. Paul was
amazed. This could not be Apollodo-
rus-some confederate, perhaps, but
never that ascetic little man.
A voice whispered in agitation on
n side of him. Others took up the
words. Hands clutched at him. Paul
did not understand that he was sit
tine in NrioboIaeio obo;r A. 49,
ment the monarch might rise and
come back and perceive this intruder.
They laid hands violently Upon him,
and Paul, thinking his purpose had
been discovered, tore the dark lantern
from under his coat and flashed 1t in
to the face Of the figure. He had
planned to begin instead with the cal
cium, but this proved equally efica-
cious.
For everybody was upon his feet
shouting as Paul, leaping forward, his
lantern light flooding the room,
grasped the tall man by the flowing
draperies he wore and whirled down
the steps with him and into the midst
of the guests. simultaneously the
whole company precipitated them
selves upon Paul and him whom he
held fast. Whoever it was, it was no
ghost, that much was certain, but a
giant in strength, a giant who sought
for him and found him among the
stumbling men and crashing chairs
and wrapped his great arms around
him like a wise and slowly crushed
the breath out of his body. Pinned
helpless in the grip of his antagonist,
Paul felt his lenses leaving him. He
heard the shouts of the courtiers
blend and mingle into a sullen roar as
of the sea; lights flashed before his
eyes; he felt himself lifted up and
carried away. The last things that
he saw were Clothilde's terror-strick-
en- face and the Mortified eyes Of
Count Gabel.
When he opened his eyes again he
was lying in the little cell which had
been assigned to him on his arrival.
Overhead an electric light burned
brightly. Beside his bed a cowled fig
ure was seated-the figure of Apollo
dorus. AS Paul stirred the monk put
down the missal which he had been
reading and came toward him.
"You are feeling better?" he asked,
smiling ~composedly. "Then you can
tell me who you are. An English
mann"
American"
Newspaper correspondents"
"If you like" answered Paul indif-
~ferently.
"Or perhaps an emissary of the
league" continued Apollodorus. smil-
ing more broadly.
Like yourself? No." answered
Paul.
my good American. you are a
month out of the date" Apollodorus
answered. 81 knew that / had the
reputation of being a member of that
organization, but one must not be-
lieve all that one hears. l have bet
ter things to occupy my mind-eter-
nal things, not those of this wretched
world. That his majesty has been In
clined toward the league was due
to the ~counsels of his father; lately
Alexander has counselled him other
wise"
by whom you mean yourself" said
Paul. Nov let us be frank. What
are you going to do with me?"
The monk stared at him thoughtful
ly.
"If you will give me your word OF
honor to keep the secret which l shall
reveal, you may go Free" he said.
ITO be equally frank, you have US in
an unpleasant position. If we had not
dragged you away before the lights
went up"
Eyes"
"His majesty might have guessed
at your purpose. AS 1t is, everybody
thinks you were a journalist. Have
1 your word? Good. The man you
fought with was his late majesty
Alexander III. In middle life he
wished to withdraw from the world
to give himself up to meditation. AS
the Tsar cannot abdicate he followed
the example of his predecessor, Alex
ander l., and withdrew to this monas-
terry after a mock funeral, and hither
his majesty comes at times to receive
counsel. You understand, my friend,
that with a sovereign of his majesty's
type Of mind we cannot always be
frank" He whispered into Paul's ear.
Nicholas is weak in his wits. 1t is
necessary to use certain methods to
strengthen them. You understand
And to strengthen the priesthood"