The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1933-04-03
VALIANT DUST
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b RercirsI Chrisfoplter WreD -sGzJdl


, once, when you'd got your commits
sion. Look, darling-I know. You
| talk it over with Joe Mummery ana
the other two, after you've seen
Colonel LIE Sage again. You will.
won't YOU? Promise me that. I shall
90 away so much happier. Almost
happy, Ohio, if you'll promise me
that"
Ohio smiled, as he took Mar
garet in his arms again.
81 promise that" he said.
Colonel LIE Sage knocked, in the
appointed manner, upon the door of
the room that had been Riccoli's
quarters, and was now his prison.
Guard the door outside" said he
to the l6gionnaire who opened the
door, and sprang to attention.
Removing the key from the lock.
and pocketing it, LIE Sage turned to
Riccoli, who sat at his table.
nervously drumming upon it with
his fingers, and who eyed him nth
feverish pale anxiety.
you've come for my help, LIE
Sage?" he began. "But it will be on
terms, on terms. shall refuse to. -"
Listen, Major Riccoli," inter.
rupted LIE Sage. "The citadel. town,
and country, of Mekazzen, are now
in my hands-for France.
"The whole of what was your
column is here. garrisoning the
castle, picketing the town, and pa.
trolling the secret routes by the
GASES and hidden waterholes.
II have now quorum of officers
for council Of war. and I could
try you this very day, by court mar
tial. II did so. you would be found
guilty: you would be sentenced to
death: and would myself superin-
tend the carrying out of the sem
tence, at dawn tomorrow. The Er-
ing-party, under Major Langeac,
would consist Of those legionnaires
whom ] know to be faithful. loyal,
and obedient soldiers Of France.
"But shall not have you tried by
court martial"
Riccoli smiled.
II win take 1t upon me to spare
France that scandal. There shall be
no great Riccoli affair, eclipsing in
shamefulness and European popu-
larity the Dreyfus affair; eclipsing,
because poor Dreyfus was an inno-
cent man, whereas you, Major Ric-
coli, are a guilty one-a traitor to
your country, your army, and your
oath.
mo. There will be no court mar
tial."
Riccoli laughed.
''I'm sure there won't, my good
LIE Sage" he said.
"No. No court martial, and no
scandal. Do you see this revolver.
Major Riccoli? And do you remem-
Der a little episode of many years
ago, in which a revolver figured
prominently? DO you remember my
telling you that it contained one
cartridge? And do you remember
my spinning the chamber-thus?
And after all, 1t proved to be
empty.
"Once again I offer you q revol.
yer, Major Riccoli."
Riccoli extended an eager hand,
seized the revolver and--present-
Ing it at lie Sage's face, pulled the
trigger. And again, and again.
mo, no. Major Ricccli," smiled
lie Sage. II had not forgotten what
You did on the occasion to which
allude. You fred at me then, with
what you thought was the sixth and
certain shot. Didn't you?
"Now so and stand in the corner
Of the room--there.n
MURDER" gasped Riccoli.
a0h. no." replied lie Sage. "Stand
there. So. Now as go out of this
room, ! shall, just before | close the
door, give you a cartridge"
Riccoh stared wide-eyed, aghast.
Nov, Major Riccoll. listen. And IL
ever you believed anything in the
whole of your life. believe this now.
"You have your choice. And ii
Is the only choice. OF any sort or
kind. that Is left to You. You can
die by your own hand--or by mine.
For / swear by the Name OF God,
and the name OF France, IL you do
not take your own life, will myself,
with my own hand, kill you in this
room.
in your life you have done m.ch
harm to France. In your death you
shall do none.
In an hours time I shall send
a burying party to this cell"
As he closed the door. Colonel LIE
Sage contemptuousiy tossed a ear
fridge to Major Napoleon Riccoll.
that Man OF Destiny.
THE END