The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1916-08-11
ITO b p

Ladislas about the sleigh" And with
out more she smiled again and left me.
l returned to Bremenhof.
81 have sent for a sleigh to take us
to your house. You have given me
Your word that l shall be safe
II swear it, he cried eagerly.
IL am going to trust to it. but not
without taking a precaution On my
own account. My liberty will be in
your hands while i am in your house,
and you had better know that 1 would
rather lose my life than be sent to
your cursed mines in Siberia. Get that
clearly into your mind"
81 swear to you
"Never mind about any more swear
ing, You know by this time that l
mean what | say. And l mean this.
| know the risk | have run today, and
rather than let your men make me a
prisoner l will blow my brains out.
Unlike you. l am not afraid of death.
Mark this well, then. l shall not die
alone | paused II added with all
the tense fierceness I could put into
my one and manner: "If you give me
lut SlISIltSL aus W SUSPECT llcdtll-
cry, even to suspect it, mark you, that
instant will be your last in life. From
the moment we leave this house to-
gether to that when l leave yours with
the papers In my possession l shall be
at your side, this barrel against our
ribs and my finger on the trigger. Try
to trick me. and by the God that made
us both | swear I'll shoot you like a
dog"
He gave a deep sigh, the sweat of
fear clustered thick N his gray white
forehead. and he sank back in his
chair.
He was so drunk with fear that he
was past speech. He looked up once
or twice as if to speak. and his blanch-
eyes met mine he faltered and trem-
bled and looked down. his tongue re-
fusing to frame the words.
Presently Ladislas came in.
II wish to speak to Colonel Bremen
hof." he said.
"Not now. Ladislas," I said. would
not have the effect of my threat less
ened by any distracting thoughts.
81 wish to make him understand we
lence in the city"
go away. please. l have given him
all l want him to understand for the
present. Let me know when we are to
start"
t Greatly wondering. my friend yield.
ed and left us alone again.
| With intentional ostentation l look
ed to the loading of my revolver
5 Rremenhof watched me furtively, anC
each time l looked up from the tasl
he shrank and dropped his head.
At last Ladislas called that the sleigh
n was waiting. The driver has his or
ders." he whispered. land will bring
{ you to us a~fterward."
Come" l said to Bremenhof as
rose.
You are wronging me, Mr.. An
struther.' he stammered as he got u
unsteadily.
7 81 can apologize afterward." said
4 dryly.
As we were leaving the house Voln'
stood waiting for us and would hav
spoken to me. but l would not leav
q Bremenhof'S side.
/ was wearing a long cloak, and a
If Brcmenhof and I crossed the pave
:, ment to the sleigh l pressed close t
him and let him feel my weapo
against his body.
He started and caught his breath |
II fear. The strain had told on him. Fl
staggered in his walk. and his fac
-, wore the gray look Of one on the verg
of death.
SO long as l could keep him in thu
10 mood | was safe enough.
!" We got into the sleigh in silence al
had barely turned out of the stree
at when a body of troops came in sigf
FL riding in our direction.
fs This will test your sincerity" sal
~ las we'll now as later. Remember II
oath"
IN At a sign from the leader our driv,
to drew to one side and pulled up.
rh l thrust the barrel of the pistol hal
against Bremenhof'S side. The ofic'
recognized him and, with a salut
halted his men.
eve are in a hurry and cannot d
=, lay" l whispered.
Bremenhof returned the salute al
:. waved his hand for the troops to pas
The officer ordered his men to ma
room for the sleigh, and we dashed
-. at a high speed.
"Good,' I said. suppressing a sigh
relief. "You have learned your le
son. | see
" The meeting with the troops prove
to be an invaluable incident.
There had been Il tense m VINE
the question whether Rrcmenhof Won
attempt treachery still hung in Il
-, balance, a moment more thrilling tn;
y" any T had ever known in my life.
With his lame INC craven subml
IL ,.,,, l,r-,yo,. !, rE.nOn SnnmaI