The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-08

and wind which roared through the mighty forests of pines, snapping the strongest of them as though they had been saplings. A wild night In the plains and cities here, among the untains, a pandemonium of ter TOTS. Clouds $ black as ink brought impenetrable darkness, the clamor of crushing boughs and bowling wind sank every now and then into in- significance before the roaring of deep-throated guns. whose red fire Flashed out across what seemed to be bottomless abyss.
 Below, the army of the Turks deci- mated in numbers, yet still a host, within the walls of Crersa, the de- lenders ol an oppressed and brave country making their last stand in their ancient stronghold. Three men stood on the walls hold Ing to the ramparts for dear life. talking eagerly together. Every now and then they paused, and strove to see what lay beneath the red, lurid light Of the cannon flames. Roma ,- klff, who spoke, was general of the forces, and in command of the de- fensc
 Prince" he said, there Is no longer any doubt. Crersa, uncon- auered for thousand years, will fall ho" lHhOuSl lTedCHeEys 1eEndpS LC- night, perhaps tomorrow. Who can say?"
 Prince Maurice srtaned aloud.
 "Romakoff." he said, "may God grant that you are mistaken. They are bold, and they have ventured very near the walls, as you know, It may be chance"
 Tt Is no chance" Romakoff roughly answered. "On Monday the |, n,,k. we covered the weakness inside alone it was apparent. Yet all day they poured in merciless fire upon that one weak spot. On Tuesday, we moved the powder magazine. Their guns followed, and Crersa was very nearly blown to atoms. On Wednes- day we planned a sortie to drive in herd of goats. Wo left the gates in darkness as black as pitch, and never sound was made, yet without warning. they were waiting. fell upon us. and only half a dozen es- capped. l could give you a hundred proofs were they needed, yet there arc enough. My Prince, there Is 8 traitor here. and unless we find him Crersa Is doomed"
 Once moro the thunder of cannon this time from new spot In the darkness. From below came the
 
 of wounded men. Romakoff stamped his foot in bitter anger.
 This. then, accounts for their long silence he cried "They have heard of our attempt to rebuild the north wall, and they have moved their guns to command 1t. Oh. to think that brave men should be the jest and the victim of cursed spy"
 Then Sirka spoke, chief min St of to m Q n sallow features, but with the fore head of a lion.
 "RomakCff," he said, "our secrets are not the secrets of the whole gar rison. How many have known of these things?"
 ''Not more than dozen," Roma koff answered. Tt Is a cursed thing to say, but the traitor Is one of our inner counsel"
 Their names?"
 "A clumsy man, but faithful" . ''Mentz."
 "A true man."
 "Rettenick.''
 q would answer for him with my life"
 "Petroff"
 "As true as steel"
 'Melak off, An honest man."
 "Ulmul." e "Wounded to death yesterday fight ing like lion. Traitors arc made of other stuff" -,. Myself"
 2 Well"
 "Yourself"
 Well"
 "The Prince"
 There was silence. Then Roma koff spoke
 "The traitor Is not amongst these" "Then in the name of God" cried Sirka," where shall we find him?" ,, Only the prince was pale and thoughtful.
 Tonight" he said "1 watch with out the gates"
 'It is not safe." Romankoff cried. q watch alone," the prince an- swered. Tt is my command"
 As the night drew on the storm increased. The gunners worked at their task with numbed fingers. the watchmen On the walls were like moving pillars of snow. Every now and then the roaring of cannon drowned the fierce wind, the red belching fires lit up the snow clad country.
 Round the northern gate were gathered a company of soldiers, and into the midst of them Q muffled fig ure in military cape pushed his way. At a word from him they fell back with respectful salute. He passed through to the very archway Of the gate.
 For a while he stood talking to the officer in command. Then came tho clanking of bolts and the creaking of bars. Prince Maurice passed out alone.
 There was good deal of whisper ing amongst those whC saw him go many surmises-for outside the gate were dangers of many sorts. such as 1t seemed rash indeed for their -cvereign to face alone. But he left aa hlnt 5ehlh- = +o his destination. cad although gracious 10 tbs lowliest of his subjects, he vas never one who suffered others to question him as to his doings So they whispered to- scthSr, and wondered.
 As vet no rumors Of v ichery had stolen u1roa6. for Roma akoff had kept his own counsel oven from the house of Advisers. The spirits of the people must be maintained, and there Is nothing In this world so chilling. so apt to discourage the beleaguered as the very suggestion of traitor within the gates.
 Neither the soldiers. nor the citizens, knew anything of this new cause for anxiety. and their princes quest was a mystery to them. Only they peered out into the darkness. and waited for his return. ready to throw open tho gates. or to sally out to the rescue at any sound of fight ing.
 Outside the city tho storm was rag ing more fiercely than ever. The