Sophy of Kravonia

illuminations which blazed on the public buildings and principal residences of Slavna. Everywhere feasting and revelry filled the night. The restaur

as the most popular man in his dominions, though he never did a decent day's work for them; lastly, there is often no better way to show how much you hate one man than by making a disproportionate fuss about another. It was well understood that by thus honoring King Alexis, its Monarch, by thus vociferously and untiringly wishing him the longest of reigns, Slavna was gi

ers presently, General," said he. "I think the Commandant had be

swered the General gravely, and without

fficers any better than the men. "You are men of war in the streets, men of peace in the ranks," said the Commandant to them that morning in issuing his decree. "You shall have a quiet evening to think over your short-comings." The order was reported to the King; he sighed, smiled, shook his head, said that, after all, discipline must be vindicated, and looked at his son with mingled ad

bit, sir, instead of coming with you to the

gives you leave, certai

Yes-and tell them what fools th

e simplicity. Lieutenant Rastatz giggled uneasily-he had a high falsetto laugh. Lieutenant Sterkoff frowned peevishly. Captain Mistitch rapped out a vicious oath and brought

degree of fear. He was a huge fellow, six feet three and broad as a door; a great bruiser and a duellist of fam

tand it?" he growled.

g," pleaded Markart. "One quiet eveni

ing and drinking still, not to be soothed and decidedly dangerous. From across the square

t hearing while we're shut up like rats

argue with the man was to court a quarrel; he began to re

e," he went on. He put out a great hand on either side and caught Sterkof

sagreeable, face, and a nasty squint in his right eye. But Rastatz, with his slim figure, weak mouth

to his feet, dragging the pair up with him-

d: it could be nothing more than a mad joke. Cashieri

. Then he seized Rastatz's wrist again and squeezed it savagely. "Come out of your trap

u, Hercules!" he cried. "I'm for to-n

said Markart, in des

if I meet that fellow when I'm drunk, God help him!" He laughed

Alexis was the King's son by Countess

sake, go to be

n Slavna to-night, unless I meet one man. But you can't stop me

inting eye, Rastatz with a forced, uneasy giggle an

all be heroes!" he cried. "Mark

no special orders to act. But he followed the three in a fascinated interest, and with the hope that a very brief proof of his freedom would content the Captain. Out from the barracks the three marched. The

his companions came in, three-fourths of the company sprang to their feet and returned the salute of the new-comers; so strongly military in composition was the company-officers on one side of a six-feet-high glass screen which cut the room in two, sergeants and their infe

norous, rolling, thick voice. "No; we've interfer

uniors broke into a ringing cheer; it was taken up and echoed back from behind the glass screen, to which a hundred faces

stitch. "And champagne!

any other cities. Now they recognized the nature of this thing, the fateful change from sullen obedience to open defiance. Was it only

ed to listen; when she ended, nobody applauded. Mistitch had been whispering with Sterkoff, Rastatz sitting silent, tugging his slender, fair mustache. But none of

shouted. "That's loyal, is

d with laughter. A voice cried: "H

d back. "Hard as he

ing-and again that con

n half an hour General Stenovics would be leaving the Palace, and it was meet that he should know of all this as soon as possible. Markart made up h

ly dressed girl. A graceful gesture excused him to his fair companion, and he threaded his way deftly between the jostling tables to where Mistitch s

he was acquainted, then bent over the gi

d I know the Prince had permission to withdraw at half-past nine. He was

ged to Baron von Hollbrandt! Could you tell me the street he means t

ain, while Sterkoff frowned and squinted villanously. Hollbrandt whispered once more, then stood erect, shrugged his shoulders, bowed, and walked back to his pret

titch jovially and cruelly reckless, exalted not only by liquor but with the sens

own with tyrants! Long

Mistitch drained his glass

follows me?

the crowd; a man was reckless this moment, timid the next; to one his neighbor gave warning, to another instigat

rushed to Mistitch, with his hands out

lse does your General want? What else doe

t. Was that true which Mistitch said? They felt as ordinary men feel when the ed

wouldn't there be news for Stenovics?"

e, too; they had many of them felt the weight of his anger. Those who had stood up sank back in their places. One pot-bellied fellow raised a shout of hyste

t Mistitch hurled a taunt a

iends and I are going for a walk. What, aren't the streets of Slavna free to gentlemen? My friends and I are

igh of relief that they were gone. But what had they gone to do? The company decided that it was just as well for them, whether collectively or as individuals, not to know too much about that. Let it be hoped t

" observed Baron von Hollbrandt to his fair companion. "It

intensity as she took the cigarette from between

g Mistitch and the Prince-the blood

ly Kravonian," said Ho

r where the Street of the Fountain opens on to St. Michael's Squa

. "Do you hear that step-c

ht down the narrow street. The three stopped and turned their heads