A servant of Satan

ecipitous banks of the River Wishwamitra. Large marble staircases lead down to the water's edge, and above them rise thou

's comfortable bungalow. He could not help being touched by the heartiness of welcom

ess would be glad to grant Count von Waldberg the honor of an audience. Accordingly, on the appointed day, Frederick, accompanied by Fitzpatrick, drove to the royal palace, and a

s possible. The Guicowar wore a red velvet tunic, over which was spread a profusion of magnificent jewels. His turban was adorned with an aigrette of diamonds, among which sparkled the famous "Star of the South." He was at the time a man of about thirty-five years of age and of tall and commanding stature. His complexion was tolerably clear, and his strongly marked features at once gave a perfect

the Guicowar's guests, moving with all the languid voluptuousness peculiar to the East. These privileged individuals are allowed to come and go as they please in the royal palace, as if to make up for the absence of the ladies secluded in their Zenana. When, at the close of the audience, which had lasted about two hours, Frederick at length took leave of his dusky highness, he was thoroughly

and whose wealth was enormous. Being free of control and of advanced notions, she was fond of frequenting good European society, and would, so the colonel declared, be delighted to make Count von Waldberg's acquaintance. The opportunities of entering the house of a lady of great fortune and high ca

and having shaken hands with them both in European fashion, invited them to take seats on either side of her. She began by thanking Colonel Fitzpatrick for having brought Count von Waldberg to see her, and then, turning to the latter, added graciously that she would be "at home" to him whenever he might deign to call for the purpose of cheering her lonely life by

on Frederick to allow the colonel to depart alone and to remain behind, at any rate until it was time for the city gates to close. The heat being intense indoors, the widow shortly afterward made a proposal that they should adjourn to the gardens of her palace, and conducted him along a winding path sheltered from

free man. When he left it he was enthralled by f

ive black boy stealthily slipped a note into his hand. Hastily turning round Frederick recognized the grinning features of Florence's little page, who, after mak

eet me there. I must speak to you alone and without delay. I [Pg 64] have a communication to make to yo

hen, giving his unfortunate pony a vicious dig with his spurs, he started off at a sharp canter, and fifteen minutes later

. Flinging himself upon the couch in his room he gave way to a most violent fit of rage. Suddenly remembering Florence's note he put his hand into his pocket, with the object of reading it once more. The letter, however, was gone. It was in vain that he turned all his pocke

ittle carved domes and tiny fretted minarets. All round the building rose half-broken columns, the ruins of a mosque, while huge trees covered the spot with deep shade, and Barbary figs, cactuses and poisonous euphorbias enveloped the ancient stones. Thousands of parrots and [Pg 65

s. She had been a very beautiful girl a few months previously, but the brilliant pink color, which was one of her chief charms, had now given place to a sic

alk to my father! Why don't you do so now? The time has come! I have asked you to come here to-day to tell you that soon I shall be unable to conceal my

her head on her lover's sh

ed with anger. Here was a pretty state of things. What was he to do? She must be pacified with new promises and induced to wait till he could find means to flee once more before the

g

t. You shall be my wife long before many days are passed and long before there is any danger of discovery. You are nervous and low-spirited, and exaggerate the difficulties of our situation. I ado

oise of a broken twig and the rustle of a dress. Florence, in an agony of fright, tore herself from

s! We are d

ushes whence the sound had proceeded, f

him. Her black eyes were distended with fury, and her face, from wh

hold of Frederick's arm. "Is that my reward for the love of which I have given you so many p

n purchased dearly enough in all conscience. I have never given you the right to control my actions

to your greed for my wealth! The widow is good enough to furnish you with money and to help you to pay your numer

uttered a t

ayed his hospitality and dishonored his daughter. As there is a heaven above us, I swear to take such a re

expression, shook her hand roughly

han enough! I have done forever with yourself, your money, and t

when the frantic woman bounded toward him and clutched him b

l not leave me thus!" hissed the

y that she fell backward, striking her head as she did so on the jagged edge of a broken marble colu

ough his mind like a streak of lightning. He must leave Baroda at once. But how was he to do so without money? Not a moment was to be lost, and without casting a look behind him he hurried toward the city, leaving the

rs previously and that she was expected back every minute. If his excellency would take the trouble of walking up stairs he might wait for her in her boudoir. Short

mptying his pockets on the table, he sat for some moments gazing at a heap of gold pieces and jewels which must have amounted to a value of over several thousands of pounds. Locking this treasure

is th

l. Fitzpatrick. "Open the door, my

ned to admit the colonel, who, thro

g

hout noticing the ashy hue of Frederick's face he continued: "Her assassin was captured just as he was attempting to remove from her corpse the jewels which she wor

HE MURDER

r murderer

ow he is, too-a member of some of those wandering tribes of beggars w

so as not to arouse, by his sudden departure, suspicions which had, so luckily for him, taken another direction, and, coolly

cowar to be present at the execution of the widow's murderer, who

ON BY E

ot through the streets of the city, and every step gives the cord a violent jerk which makes the body of the condemned wretch bound on the pavement. On arriving at the place of execution he is released, and by a refinement of

g

horrible scene which was being enacted before his eyes. But at the moment when the head of the poor innocent man was being crushed