Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1914-06-04


of amity."
And, crossing the room, he address
ed the Transylvanians in their own
tongue. Their astonishment was
boundless. They thawed under his
persuasive eloquence as he urged har-
mony between the factions.
Then he turned the screw again,
and, having brought the two parties
to speaking terms, he sowed the seeds
of discord. Before another hour had
passed, swords were rattling in their
scabbards. And Nikolai was forgot
ten. He had effaced himself, and the
guards, morosely drunk, were passing
the lie one to another. Nikolai look.
ed at me. l looked at my watch; 1t
was halfpast four.
"Now!' he said, and slipped into the
kings bedchamber.
AS l stood by the half-open door,
uncertain whether or not to follow,
watching the brawlers, l heard the
faintest groan from within. | hur-
ried in The king lay in his sleeping
robes, gagged, and wrthing in Niko'
lai's strong arms, but helpless. Niko'
lai pointed to the pocket Of his over
coat, from which the end of a cord
protruded. In q moment | had trussed
up Leopold and he lay helpless before
US.
III you attempt to utter a sound, you
die" said Nikolai sternly. Other
wise you shall not be injured Sum-
mers, you take his feet"
Together we carried him through his
bedroom to the bathroom Beyond this
lay an immense cistern, connecting
with the roof, in which rainwater was
stored. 1t was empty, all but for
few inches Of muddy water, for pipes
had been laid that summer to the
new reservoir. We ascended the lad
der which led to it, carrying our bur-
den. We hoisted him with an effort
and let him drop inside. Then we
stood and looked at him. He was not
hurt, but his face was gray from
terror.
"The servants will find him this
evening" said Nikolai to me. THE
palace will be empty through the day.
And anyway, he can't cry Then
thought came into his head.
Listen" he whispered in German.
There is a conspiracy to have your
life. We are your friends. Do you un.
derstand?"
The helpless king nodded.
81 am fulfilling your brothers in
structions to watch over you. The
palace is in the hands Of the revolu'
tonaries If they discover you, your
life will not be worth a moments pur.
chase At night we shall come Tor
you and take you to safety Now DO
you understand? | crave your ma
jesty's pardon"
He unbound and ungagged him lie
kissed his hand, and we departed,
leaving the prince covering there.
"If know human nature Nikolal
said, he will not stir or cry. 1t would
have been inhuman to have left him
trussed and gagged.
When we returned, the partisans
were still quarreling,
And now," said Nikolai, Il think
will 20 to bed Help me off with my
royal robes.
Ten minutes later he was sleeping
soundly In the bed Of the prince. The
royal robes hung over chair.
had received my instructions.
was to waken him at the appointed
hour and dress him, not forgetting
the beard. Then should use my dis
cretion. might attempt to gain en-
trance to the cathedral or proceed
directly to the railway station. In
any event, If we missed each other,
we were to meet at the same hotel
which we had occupied in Vienna. l
carried out my instructions. The tu'
multi gradually abated as the guards
sank into various stages Of intoxi-
cation; by seven o'clock the entire
twelve were stretched out upon the
floor, sleeping off the effects of the
champagne.
aroused Nikolai at eight. For a
was then he sprang to his feet and
smiled as he caught sight Of the royal
robes.
Can you get me something to eat,
Summers?" he asked.
mot II we have to depend upon the
guards" l answered, and told him Of
their condition. He laughed out loud.
But as If in answer to his demand,
there came knock at the door. /
sprang forward and opened 1t cou-
pie of inches, at the same time inter.
posing my body. A little page stood
there with tray on which was light
repast. | took it from him and set
1t down on the bed AS l dismissed
him, looked after him into the ante
room and saw him wake the guards.
When | turned my head Nikolai and
the tray had disappeared.
looked around in CONSERVATION.
A moment later | heard him coming
from the direction Of the bathroom.
81 gave the food to that poor devil
In the cistern," he said. II told him
that the palace Is in the hands Of the
mob but that they had given up the
search for him and that relief will
arrive by nightfall. Oh, he hasn't
stirred, Summers. Now help me
dress"
Five minutes later he was strug-
Cling into the royal robes. He cast
the black coat around his shoulders.
He affixed the square red beard And
he stood before me, very fair coun-
terfeit of the prince. Then he strobe
to the door, opened 1t, and stood
there Squirting over his shoulder, ]
could hardly restrain nv laughter.