The Shadow of the Czar

unused to sleeping on the ground at night wrapt in his military cloak. Nevertheless he had a civilian weaknes

slept at all, his slumbers would have to be à la belle étoile, for he

n. His uncle, Colonel Graysteel, was commander-in-chief of the forces stationed there,-a fact which stood Paul in good, or possibly in bad, stead, for thereby he was enabled to

e and having a tendency to curl, with soft hazel eyes that could look stern, however, at times, and with graceful drooping moustache, he was first favorite with the ladies of the English colony at Corfu, especially as his elegance in

ime and requested furlough for no other reason than a wish to explore the wilds of D

on't believe you've put in thr

days," corrected

s beginning to not

e latter preferred; show me the enemy and you'll find me to the fore. But this playing at soldiers; this marching and counter-marching; this inspection of kit, and atten

d at this betrayal into rhyme that he repeated it. "And what's this new c

ttled on a panel of the wall. "Why go where everybody goes? My tastes run in the direction of the odd, the romant

iberality and frequency with which Paul drew upon his purse. "Remember the case of young Lennox, and the severed ear sent to his father in an envelope. Ten thousand florins! That's what the old chap had t

es," added Paul, critically contemplating the Damascen

're worth," said his uncle, grimly,

l threat; he would sell his commission, buy a string of camels, and sp

s steamer Metternich, bound for Zara, the clean, well-built capital of Dalmatia, directing his voyage to this city in ord

r as Sebenico: and accordingly he set off, without either companion or servant, and wearing his uniform, partly because as a soldier he was proud of it,

ight of this journey

picturesque scenery-on the right the sparklin

ificent forest. As this wild-wood was just the sort of place where banditti might be expected to lu

er: and the reproach decided his route. No

matter, one might think; yet it was

to a challenge from some outlaw of the forest, he ke

ver, but with a bear-the first he h

yards in front of him, and there it stood, with its eyes fixed upon th

ling with excitement. "Ursus Styriacus from

and inasmuch as his revolver was six-chambered he

, at least according to the theory set forth by a hunte

m at close quarters, and when he rises on his hind legs to welcome you with that hug which is his characteristic, then is the time to aim at the vital p

ems beautif

g the theory to practice; for, as he slowly advanced, revolver in hand, and with hi

He would shoot that bear, bring back some fellows from the

ugh Paul followed hard upon his quarry, its rate of progress surpassed his own. In a few moments it had passed f

spirit of bears," he mutter

s view of the road from which he had been diverted by the chase of the bear. There was nothing to indicate the way. He carried an ordnance-map of the district, and the forest was marked large upon

he notice of persons less friendly than charcoal-burners or wood-cutters, but his cries met with no response. The silence and s

his way or that, as blind fancy directed, and haunted by the reflection that Bruin

nly lifted, revealing a sky of the darkest blue set with glittering stars. This sky extending in a broad

was close upon midnight. That infernal B

l his eyes, roaming over as much of the sky as was containe

ebenico lay to the south, he accordingly set his face in that direction with intent, on reaching

ing white upon one side of the road. Kneeling down he struck a match-like the revolver, a

matia," he proceeded to make a study of both by the brief and u

I shall always carry a small lan

intent upon book and map, he receiv

ay does

anguage of Dalmatia-by a voice so soft and musi

mute with astonishment, a passage from

was frightfu

richly c

ul exce

soft beauty of a southern night; with raven hair, and dusky eyes that seemed the mirrors of a sweet melancholy. She wore a long Dalmatian capote with the hood drawn over her head. The capote being partly open revealed a costume of the richest silk. D

startled you. Which

presence of women, could do nothing on the present occasi

the road

k you,

d away in the direction indicated by Paul as quietly and confidently as if the lonely forest-

e habit of young Dalmatian women to take solit

is surprise Paul

u cannot walk

ung lady, facing Paul and assuming a hauteur that

you-banditti

of a woman is held sacred. No one,

ctly. Indeed he learned that if a stranger travelling in this region were to

people otherwise barbarous, explained the lady's

so long. Zara is thirty miles off. And you would

a time on the ground as I did last night. I must

manner of refinement. It was amazing, then, to hear her talk

ing she walked away again with the dignity of a princess, whi

lovely eyes! And what a witching face! Now how should a f

ed, there were dangers other than those arising from the malevolence of human beings-bears, for example. If harm should befall her, then his would be the blame for permitting her to go on her way alone. But as she was opposed to his pres

possible backward glance on her part by keeping within the covert of the trees th

when Paul observed her swaying to one side as if about to fall. Too tired to proceed farther, she turned to a gra

longer concealing himself, he walked boldly forward in

me," she said, with a tou

ead g

tect me from im

have you made a truce with the beasts? A h

f fear. Paul saw his ad

d revealing his handsome uniform of dark blue adorned with silver facings. "I do not ask who or whence

d Paul continued in a

You are too exhausted to

rmured. "I am faint. I have e

e had nothing to offer her in the shape of food

y, after a brief pause, "for a woman to b

es-only for permission to con

ray me. I have escaped from a convent, where I was forcibly detained, and I fear pursuit by the Austrian gendarmerie. Hence, by aiding me, you may come into collision with

So long as I can handle sword and pistol no one shall carry

me?" she asked in a tone t

Nuovo. This is the nearest human habitation," continued Paul. "Before meeting you I had intended to try my fortune there. Now, suppose we go together? As the Dalmatians are such res

offered a more attractive prospect than supperless repose on the dank turf of the dark bear-haunted wild-woo

she said, with the s

she accepted. The touch of her little h