Princess Maritza

to a walking pace. He had ridden far, for his dress was dusty, and the animal showed signs of fatigue. T

welling erected, but they were apparently deserted; there were no signs of life about them this evening. The man rode easily, yet with constant watchfulness. The times were unsettled and dangerous, and the slightest un

k back upon the way he had come. Then he examined his holster, and, moving his hor

op, one some paces in advance of his companions. He pulled up short, seeing the motionless horseman by the roadside, scen

but one sees a possible enemy

cted, m

May I add fo

seldom stand singly," was t

se men seldom ride alo

with an escort myself, y

ke, I think; you are

egiment of

is my

ting for an assent to this arrangement, he ordered his servants to go forward, and wat

not the

equence. Jules de Froilette, at y

seems familiar," said Eller

go to Cour

t seldom,

his country, let us say, in timber; it is the answer I give when I am questioned, for no one respects a lazy man. A voluntary e

in Sturatzberg,"

xile, and has no quarr

speak of it, Mons

excitement, so come to Sturatzberg. The promise

es at home," su

De Froilette answered, "but the failu

f the reward as I am,"

id not join in

despised," he said slowly, glan

came out of the struggle with their lives. Instead, we have an expedition against some brigands' fastness, which is

desperate encounter and the bloody s

e ladder look eagerly toward the top-the student to the masters of his profession, the app

st be won, Cap

lling to

d when you arrive. This is the waiting time, the preparing time, and there are dif

loved n

n the

A Captain of Horse do

fight this country's battles, welcome to get killed in them, but you must not participate in any rewar

such a rebellion, but it d

"and if you are strong enou

eak in

the rough country behind them, and were approaching houses, for Sturatzberg had grown and spread itself beyond its walls. In the distance the li

n suspects his neighbor, and has fingers ready for the knife handle. Yonder in the citadel, amid the laughter and the music, a

that it i

Altstrasse, 12, at ten o'clock. We can talk further. Until then, au revoir" and

f distinguishing himself whenever it arose. It had not come yet. His life had been passed on a dead level of inactivity, and the stirring times he had hoped for seemed as far away as ever. Many a time had his thoughts gone back to that breezy morning on the downs, and he devoutly wished that Princess Maritza would come to Sturatzberg, so that he might go to her, claim friendship with her, and ask for that work for his good right arm which she had promised to give. Who was this De Froilette, and why should he take an interest in him or wish to help him? For such

he manner in which he drew the back of his hand across h

inquired for

weakness and his capacity for indulging in it with impunity, Ellerey wondered how long a time he would require undisturbed before signs of his potations showed the

he doorways, through which tatterdemalions, men, women, and children, flocked in and out, were handsome carvings, deep-cut crests and coats-of-arms; ragged garments were hung to dry over handsome balustrades and wrought-iron railings; while in the rough and broken roadway garbage, cast there days since, lay rotting where it had fallen. Poverty had seized upon the place, flaunting poverty, seeking no concealment. Ellerey had passed through the Altstrasse before to-night,

about the closed door, was no whit more attractive than ever. Ellerey's summons was answered immediately, however, and h

different! Here was luxury. A deep carpet deadened the footfall, rich curtains hung over windows and doorways, and ancient arms were upon the walls. Ellerey had little t

ette, coming forward to meet him. "Confide

n a cloak, and Ellerey had noticed little of his appearance beyond the fact that his eyes were dark and restless. Now he saw a man courtly and distinguished in a manner, with a clever, earnest face, at once attractive and inviting confidence. His hair, cut short, and his beard tr

urprise you?" he s

looked for in the Altstr

isit in the Altstrasse, and I have rooms below bare enough to impress uninteresting people with the fact that I am a po

reference shown me," s

e been speculating on th

ural

and De Froilette led the way into an adjoining room. The meal was faultlessly served at a round table lighted by candles in quaint silver candlesticks. Although not exactly an epicure, De Froilette understood a supper of this description as p

ter all, it is the greatest nationality to which a

g-table, littered with letters and foreign newspapers, occupied the centre of the apartment, which was evidently a working room, though luxurious in all its

y, monsieur; it was n

ore you overtook me I heard the sound of gall

f cigarettes across the table. "You must bear with me if I am prosy for a ti

himself to lis

n another have become paramount in Sturatzberg. All the Powers have recognized one fact, however, that Wallaria must be kept inviolate; so it is that this is an independent kingdom to-day. The position is unique, an

ent, wondering what thi

ecognizing that this country is one of the chief factors in preserving the peace of Europe, the nations have sent the ablest men they possess as their Ambassadors to Sturatzberg. Your British Minister is a case in point. The result is that to the present t

omatist," Ell

lders as though the point were

ners. They have had secretly preached to them, and they understand, what possibilities there are; and a wave of national enthusiasm is silently stealing through the length and breadth of the land. The bolder spirits have alread

d, with a smile. "But his fastness in the mou

people will remember that there are others with an equal, or better, rig

er is found, and only awaits t

, she is found," De Fro

for a moment that his sword was pledged to the King. His thoughts went back to that breezy

lette l

service. Let her plead for herself," and as he spok

ce was beautiful, her smiling lips and deep, soft eyes, full of sympathy and tenderness, seemed incapable of a

and Ellerey bowe

n Ellerey," she said in a low voice, "and

our Majesty," E

nursed by this Power and by that. He is unable to move as his people would have him. It is for me to act for him in this matter, secretly until the appointed hour strikes. Remember, Capta

esty is g

ice, for the present se

rrow, a week hence, or

t is perilous service,

. May I claim your full

tirely at your Ma

ay promise them. Have them in readiness to set out at an hour's notice. Then wait and watch. We shall call you into private audience

ile, "it is not your nature to be frivolous, to catch pleasure as it flies and play with it while the bubble lasts; yet must you school yourself to do so. The light-hearted cavalier and careless lover will not be suspected of any deep design, and it would be well that that should seem your character at Court. More easily will you keep the nearer to our person, for love of

shall hope to win your Majest

as she passed out, but exchanged no word with her, nor did he attempt to follow h

d time to-night," said De Fro

another woman-P

companion. For an instant he showed surprise, perhaps ann

now of the Pri

, that is all; and I fancied you might be interested yourself in the fortunes of

laced ambition and folly not only lost the support of every foreign Power, but alienated the love of the people besides.

ke no claim

The people would never accept her. In two days will you do me

e. I thank you for bri

ey an

bare hall again. All the doors were fast closed as before, but the air seemed to vibrate with life and the silence to be ready to break into a hoarse roar of voi