The Washington herald., 1914-11-29

Vi lAlS hSCl, III lllC CNCIIL VI VIZ
lence being employed, soothed me
to some extent. Nevertheless, a
sad and terrible presentiment warn
ed me to expect the worst.
! A low scratching on the inner
door, that leading into the royal
boudoir, told us that the victim
was still alive. A bolt was with
drawn, and the next moment 1
found myself in Queen Draga's
lpresence.
1t was only by the light of the
moon that We were able to see
each other. Anna was moving to-
ward the key of the electric lamps,
but the Queen forbade her with a
gesture.
Nov tell me, what is it,"
"You must this very minute put
on Annals dress, and leave the pal
ace with me. We shall go straight
to the railway, where my agent has
by this time chartered a special
train"
Draga drew back unconvinced.
"The assassination is fixed for
next Tuesday" she declared.
1T is fixed for tonight" ="
Tonight? You must be mis-
taken"
l smiled bitterly.
"The Gar of Russia has never
said that to me, madam"
/ But how?-when Your own
agent told me-if he was your
agent"
/ waved my hand impatiently.
"All that was true three days
ago, madam. Your majesty told
King Alexander, and the conspira-
tors have advanced the hour in
consequence"
! For the first time the heroic
woman turned pale and began to
tremble.
AT what hour tonight is it,"
Il have not ascertained. For
aught | know the assassins are at
/ this moment surrounding the pal
ace. There may be just time for
you to leave"
But the King! Alexander! My
husband
Il do not think there will be time
for him to leave as WE'LL" l said
gravely.
Queen Draga threw one hand
across her breast with a superb de-
fance.
Il do not go without my hus-
band, sir
l was torn between admiration
and despair.
Il should have done better to
have remained in Paris, l per
ceive,' | said sullenly.
She crossed the room into the
adjoining bedchamber and sounded
a silver bell.
Inform his majesty that 1 de-
sire to see him very particularly as
soon as possible"
The servant who had answered
the bell bowed and withdrew with
startled looks, from which | was
inclined to suspect that he was in
/ the pay of the assassins. Fortu-
nately he had not been able to see
me where | stood.
The Queen now began hurriedly
to change her dress for one more
suitable for the emergency. Mean
while there was no sign that her
message had reached Alexander.
You have been betrayed, mad
am," | observed at last. That SER
want was a traitor. l saw it in his
face
Draga uttered cry of despair.
You, Anna, you 60 and bring
the. King here at all costs"
Anna darted out of the room.
Five minutes passed-ten min
utes-a quarter OF an hour. Then
step was heard in the adjoining
room, and the young King of Ser
via, his dark face flushed with
wrath, strobe in.
What is all this: Are you try
ing to frighten me, Draga?'
He saw me and stopped, at the
same time putting his hand to his
side where his sword should have
been. The weapon was missing,
perhaps by accident.
This is our best friend, Alexan-
der. He has come to save us. The
assassins have changed their plans,
and will be here tonight. A spe-
cial train has been got ready, and
if you can leave the palace i'll dis
guise, all will be we'll"
The ascendancy of a powerful
intellect in the moment of danger
made itself felt. Alexander looked
about him, half dazed, as the poor
youth well might be, by the ghast-
ly imminence of the peril.