Argosy, Vol. 1 (December 9, 1882) — page 154: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE BROYFHERHOOS OF SILENCE, 147 requested me to do when I discovered. fmm thus; but he bowed coldly, fetgn- ing not ta see it. £ halted, drew myself ap, and returned his bow nr the same nianner that he had given it. Then } waited for hint to speak. “You are late, sir,” he said. “ Yow have kept me waiting.” ‘“} was mot aware that your majesty expected me,” I repbed. “ Other- wise I should have been here sooner.” “The prince expected you, and led me to do the same.” ‘Had the prince done me the honor to tell me that he intended to recetve me in your cabinet, I should have understood. The prince—perhaps unin- tentionally—deceived me.” Prince Michael flushed hotly, but said mothing. ‘The Czar smiled grimly. “ What detained you?” he demanded: “ The business whick detains me m Russia, your majesty.” “Ah; you were concerned in the work of the Brotherhood?” “TI was.” “JT understood that you were much more pleasurably emptoyed-” “ Whoever gave you so to tnderstand erther did not know or lied.” I turned so that I half faced the price, and § saw that he made a motion as if to spring upon and strike me; but he did not dare to commit such ar act in the Czar’s presence, and long trairring got the better of his. temper. “Why, sir, did you take the Princess Olga d’Echeveria to the house of Prince Michael?” comtinued the Czar. “ Beeause | believed im to be an honorable man, who would stand ready to protect her good name, and conceal from all the world, ever from your majesty, the fact that she was there. Because he had told me that he foved her, and I was innocent enough to: believe that his love was unselfish ; and further, becanse I regarded him as my friend. There are three reasons, your majesty, any ore of which seems to me to be suffictert.” “ Bat why was it necessary to take her anywhere? ” “ That, your mafesty, is a question which | must answer to you alone.” * Do you ntean that you will not tell the prince?” “ F mean that tt was my mtention fo tell the primee as soon as I reached the palace, but that now I deem it unnecessary. He has taught me a lesson it hospitality that is as new as it is unique.” “Perhaps she will explain the strange affatr herself.” “| have no doubt that she will, your majesty.” “ } have sent for her. She will remarn here in the palace as long as dan- ger threatens her. She should be here by now.” “ May I inquire of your majesty whom you sent?” ‘“ The captain of the palace guard.” “ Captain Durmief? ” 6d Yes.”’ | I looked at my watch, replaced it m my pocket, and then said calmly: “ Captain Durnief will not return with the princess, your mafesty.” Then I saw the heavy frown of rising anger. I knew my man, for kings and emperors are less than men of the world when it comes to studying them. GOH GoOOO ‘SS COLNT