The Gunmaker of Moscow.

Cromwell Argus, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1983, 9 April 1906, Page 2

The Gunmaker of Moscow.

By Sylvanus Cobb, Junr.'

PART 5,

CHAPTER VI Coutinued.

She tottered forward and sank upon the bosom of her noble son, and while she wound her arms tightly about him she murmured her thanks to God.

By and by the widow became more calm, but still there was an earnest, eager look of fear upon her face. Ruric saw it, and he knew well what it meant.

"Mother," he said, "the count is not dead."

"Nor wounded?" she uttered quickly and eagerlv. "Yes; badly. But, listen, I could not help it." And thereupon he related all the circumstances connected with the conflict. When he had concluded, his mother pondered a few moments, and then she said: "Surely, my son, I will try to suffer nothing from this, even should the wicked man die. In all you acted upon the defensive. From the first he has only been intent on attacking you, and on the battleground he would have killed you if he could."

"Most surely he would, mother. Aye, he would not have hesitated to Btab me in the back could he have gained the opportunity. He was mad beyond all self control, and his eagerness to kill me was only equaled by his chagrin at being overcome by one whom he had hoped easily to conquer." After this Euric went to his shop, but Paul manifested no great emotion upon beholding him. "You seem to take it as a matter of course that I should return alive and well," said the gunmaker, with a smile.

"Why, of course," returned the boy composedly. "What would a score of such men as he be to you ? Conrad Darnonoff hold a sword before Ruric Nevel? No. I only smiled when I heard his challenge. Lshould have a?.soon thought of being anxious about your return from a marten hunt."

Ruric smiled at his boy's peculiar eagerness of expression, but he felt a degree of pride in his words nevertheless.

It was toward the latter part of the afternoon that Ruric was somewhat startled by seeing some of the imperial guard approaching his house, and ere long afterward his mother came to him, pale and trembling, and informed him that he was wanted by the emperor's officers. "Oh," she groaned, with clasped hands and tearful eyes, "they will take you from me now 1" "Fear not, my mother," the youth confidently returned. "The emperor will not blame me when he knows all the particulars. But come, let us go in." Ruric found the officers, three of them, in the kitchen, and he asked them if they sought him. "We seek Ruric Nevel, the gunmaker," replied the leader. "I am the man, sir. May I know what is wanted?"

"Cannot you guess?" "Why, yes. 1 suppose it must be on account of the duel which was fought this morning." "Exactly." "And who wants me?" "Who should want you but the emperor?" "Oh, they will not take my noble boy from me!" cried Claudia, catching the officer by the arm. "Tell our good emperor that Russia has taken my husband from me; that he fell in his country's cause. Tell him my boy was not to blame" — "Hush, mother," interposed Ruric. 'Tear not yet." "Come," said the leader. "It is growing late, and Peter will not brook delay."

"But they will not harm him!" the mother frantically cried, clinging now to her son. ' "No, no, my mother. Rest you easy here until I return." And then, turning to the guard, he added, "Lead on, and i will follow." "Now rest you easy, my dear mother." And with these words Uuric gently set her hwk into her chair and then hastened out after the oflicers. In the entry be put on his bonnet and pelisse and then followed his conductors out to the street, where stood a double sledge, with two horses attached.

"You seem to look upon the killing of a Russian noblemen as a very email affair." said one of the officers *fter thev had started on their way.

"Is he' dead, then?" Kuric quickly asked. "The doctors think his case a critical one. But that is not the thing. You would have killed him if you could."

"No, no. By heavens, -'tis not so! All who were present will swear that I tried to spare him." "Yery well," returned the officer. "We shall see about that when we come to the palace. Perhaps you may go clear; but, upon my soul, I would not willingly occupy your place." Ruric cared not to argue the point with those who knew nothing about the circumstances, so he remained silent during the rest of the ride. It was near sundown when they reached the imperial palace, and Ruric was conducted at once into the emperor's presence. The Emperor Peter was in one of

the smaller ;• i< "i '•' > >i' '■ •' ''» :1 ' ting at a large table covered with purple velvet heavily wrought with gold, and upon either hand stood some of his private attendants. He was a young man, not yet so old as Ruric by some three years, but his face already wore a mature look. His frame was solid, but not large, being rather slight than otherwise in physical bulk. His dress betrayed negligence and carelessness and was in marked contrast with the rich garbs of his attendants. Such was Peter of "Russia, yet a youth, small in frame and careless of those graces which go to make up the sum of court life, but still able to bear the affairs of a great nation upon his shoulders. Within that head worked a mighty brain, and in that bosom beat a Jieart thirsting more for the good of Russia than for self or kindred.

Ruric saw Stephen Urzen and the surgeon there, and he also saw the Duke of Tula there. Ho met the duke's eye, and a peculiar sensation of fear ran through his mind as he saw the stern, threatening expression tr&t rested upon Olga's face"Sire," spoke the leader of those who had conducted the prisoner thither, "Ruric Nevel stands before you." "Ah," uttered Peter, casting his eagle eye over the forms before him. "Nevel, advance." With.a bold yet modest step Ruric advanced to the table, and, with a low bow, he awaited the emperor's pleasure. There was a shudder perceptible in the frames of those who wished the prisoner well, for well they knew their mighty ruler's iron will and sternness of legal purpose.

CHAPTER VII. A STARTLING TRIAL. In order to understand the circumstances under which Ruric was brought before the emperor it will be necessary to go back a few hours. The autocrat had occasion to send for the surgeon, Kopani, who had attended at the duel, and as he was some time in answering the summons he was questioned when be did come concerning his tardiness. His answer was that he had been attending the Count Darnonoff. "And what ails the count?" asked the emperor. "He was well yesterdav."

"Yes, but he met with an accident today." "Look ye, Kopani" the young ruler cried, who saw in an instant that something unusual bad happened, "think not to conceal anything from me. What is it, now ?" "Sire, 1 meant not to hide anything from you. The count has been engaged in a duel." "Ha I Was he challenged ?" "No, sire. He was the challenger." "So, so. And who was the other party ?" "A humble gunmaker, sire, named Ruric Nevel."

"Nevel, Nevel," soliloquized Peter. "The name is familiar." "His father was a captain in the last war with the Turks. He rose from the rank 3 under Fcodor and was one of the bravest of the brave."

"Captain Nevel. Ah, yes. 1 remember now. lie and Valdai were the two who first mounted the ramparts at Izium. So the old dispatches read."

"Yes, sire. Poor Nevel was shot a month afterward while leadiug his brave company against a whole squadron of Turkish infantry, while Valdai came home and got a colonel's commission." "And afterward received a title," added Peter. <r Yes, sire." "And this gunmaker is this captain's son ?"

"Yes, sire." "And methinks Valdai left a child."

"He did, sire; a daughter, who is now with Olga. She is his ward." "Yes, yes. And the count fought a duel with young Nevel and got beaten, eh ?"

Before the surgeon could answeT a page entered the chamber and announced that the Duke of Tula wished to see his imperial master.

The emperor directed that he 6hould be admitted, and ere long afterward the proud duke entered the apartment. He was a tall, stout man, with light hair and blue eyes, and not far from five and forty years of age. Mis bearing was haughty, though he was forced to a show of respect now that he was before his master.

"Sire," spoke the duke after the usual salutations had passed, ''l have come to demand justice at thy hands. My young friend the Count Conrad Damonoff has heen most brutallv murdered." "Ha! Say ye so, Olga?" "Yes, sire." "But how was it?"

"Thus it was, sire: On the day before yesterday I sent the count with a message to one Ruric Novel, who is a gunmaker in Sloboda. He went as I wished, and while there the gunmaker, who is a huge fellow, provoked a quarrel and knocked the nobleman down. Of course the count was offended, and as the ruffian threatened to repeat the offense and as he furthermore grossly insulted a noble lady whom the count held most dear ho could hardly help challenging him. The fellow accepted the challenge and has succeeded by the most cowardly maneuvering in inflicting upon him a mortal wound." "This is a serious affair," said the emperor, who-had not failed to note the astonished look of the surgeon while the duke was telling his story. "It is most serious, sire, and surely the ruffian should be at once executed." "But did you not say that the count challenged him ?"

"I dill, t=ire, but you must remember that it wai an instinct of self preservation with the noble count. The fellow would have undoubtedly murdered him had he not taken this course."

"Were you present at the duel, my lord?" "No, sire, but I have a friend without who was present." "Then you may bring him in." The duke departed, and when he returned Stephen Urzen bore him company. "This is the man, sire," Olga said as he led his companion forward. The emperor gazed upon Urzen a few moments in silence and then said:

"You were present at this duel, were you not, sir?" "I was, sire," the man answered, bowing low. "And he was at their first meeting also, sire," interposed the duke. "Ah, yes. Then you know all about the affair?" "Yes, sire," answered Urzen. "Then tell me about it."

"First, sire," commenced the man, casting a sort of assuring glance at the duke, "the count went to the gunmaker's shop to get him to — to"—

"Let me explain here, sire," interrupted the duke as his puppet hesitated, "this man may not know properly about that mission. Living with me is a young girl, a ward of mine, a gentle, timid being, who has been somewhat a comfort to me in my loneliness. In childhood she was acquainted with this Ruric Nevel, and now the fellow has presumed thereupon several times to insult her of late with his disgusting familiarity. She dared not remonstrate with him for fear of violence, so she referred the matter to me. The count has been anxious to win her for a wife, so I thought him not an improper person to send on the delicate mission. Accordingly I wrote a sort of promise in the form of a voluntary assurance pledging the signer not to make himself familiar with the lady any more. And at the same time he received the assurance that his presence was very disagreeable to the person mentioned. This I supposed he would sign at once, and as the count aspired to her hand 1 deemed it no more than right that he should render her this service. Now, sire, this gentleman may continue." Thus bidden Urzen resumed: "The noble count was desirous, sire, that 1 should accompany him, and 1 did so. Upon reaching the man's shop we found him at work upon a gun lock, I think. He received the note, but refused to sign it. The count urged him to sign in mild, persuasive language until the fellow became insolent. Then he used some stronger terms, and 1 think he made some threat of what lie would do if his insults to the lady were repeated, and thereupon the gunmaker struck him a furious blow in the face and knocked him down. I cannot remember all the threatening language which the fellow used, but it was fearful." "And bow about the duel?" asked the emperor. In answer to this Urzen went on and related what be had prepared on the subject, and it need only be said that the report was about on a par with what we have already hoard. He even went so far as to swear that the count had tried repeatedly to compromise matters after the conflict, had begun, that he begged of Novel to give up the battle, but that the latter, thirsting for the youti£ nobleman's blood, kep' hotly, madly at it.

It was at this juncture and without referring to the surgeon that the emperor sent for Ruric, and, having learned that a lieutenant of the Khiir.gorod guard was present at the duel, he sent for him also. Orsa arrived first and was present when Ruric came. And now Ruric Novel stood before his emperor. Peter gazed upon him for some moments, and then he said:

"Sir, thy bearing is bold." "Why should it not be, sire, when I stand before one whom I honor and respect and do not fear?" So spoke Ruric calmly and with peculiar dignity. "Not fear?" repeated the autocrat stern ly. "No, sire. Peter of Russia is not a man to be feared by those who love and honor him." "Insolence!" uttered the duke. The emperor looked up into his face, and he added:

"Now, sire, you can see for yourself some of his traits of character."

"Aye," returned Peter, "I see. They are wonderful. I knew not that among my artisans there were men of such boldness." The duke knew not how to interpret this, and he moved back a pace.

"Now, sir," resumed Peter, turnin? to the gunmaker, "how dared you strike a Russian nobleman?"

" 1 did not, sire. Conrad Damonoff came to my shop, and he brought me a paper in which I was required or ordered to relinquish all claims to the hand of"—

"Sire," interposed the duke, "he misstates" —

"Never mind," broke in the emperor, with an authoritative wave of the hand, "we will hear nothing about the lady here. Why did you strike the count ?"

"Because, sire, he descended from his station and struck me. He threw away the shield which should protect the nobleman and struck me without provocation." "And then you knocked him down ?" "I did, sire." "And perhaps you would have

none the same to me." "bire," answered the youth quickly, "when Damonoff tried by threats to make me sign his paper I told him there was but one man on earth at whose order I would do that thing. The man who has the right to command shall never have occasion to strike me."

There was something in this reply and more in the tone and bearing of him who spoke it that made the duke tremble. He saw plainly that the emperor's eyes sparkled with admiration as they rested upon the gunmaker. "But now about this duel," resumed the emperor. "How dared you take advantage of the count in the conflict ?"

"Advantage, sire?" repeated the youth in surprise. "Aye. Did he not, Stephen Urzen?"

"He did, sire," replied the man thus addressed.

"And which of the two do you call the best swordsman?" Peter asked. "Why, sir, the count is or was vastly his superior." "And what say you, sir lieutenant ?"

Alaric trembled, for this was addressed to him. He knew that the duke was anxious to crush his friend, and he feared to draw the wrath of that powerful nobleman down upon his head. But a happy thought came to his aid. "Sire,"- he said, "I would rather you would judge of that for yourself."

"Me judge ? And how am Ito do that?"

"Let Ruric Novel's skill be tried here before you. If I mistake not, you have some good swordsmen near your palace. There is Demetrius, the Greek." "What, my master at arms?" "Yes, sire." "Why, he is the best swordsman in my empire. I think our young adventurer would fare badly in his hands."

"Never mind, sire. You could judge." "Why," said Peter, with a smile, "Demetrius handles the count as I would a mere child."

"Sire," spoke Ruric modestly, but yet frankly, "it were surely no disgrace to be overcome by your tutor." "And will you take a turn with him at the swords ?"

"Yes, sire, if so it please you." "By my soul," cried the emperor, leaping up, "we'll have some diversion out of this trial. What ho, there! Light up the chamber. Let every lamp be lighted, for we want sight now. Send Demetrius here and tell him to bring hisroundedged swords!"

Both the duke and TJrzen stood aghast at this new turn, but they dared not interfere, for they saw that their imperial master was all excitement now to see a trial of skill at that science which, above all others, he tried to make his officers learn. But then they had one hope —Demetrius might overcome the gunmaker so easily that Peter should not see his real power. Demetrius soon came, and under his arm he carried the swords. They were of the common size, but with round edges and points on purpose for play. The master at arms was a powerfully built man and possessed a splendid form. He was a Greek by birth and was now retained by the emperor as a teacher of the sword exercise.

"Demetrius," said Peter, "I have sent for you to entertain us with a show of your skill. Here is a man about whose power there is some dispute. Mind you, it is all in kindness. Ituric Nevel, take your weapon." The youth stepped forward and extended his left hand for the sword, and the right hand he extended for the other to grasp. It was taken warmly, for the Greek saw in an instant that he had a noble man to deal with. And those two men were not much unlike in form. Demetrius was an atom the taller, but Ruric showed the more muscle.

The night had come on, but the great lamps were all lighted, and the room was as bright as day.

"Sir," said Ruric, addressing the Greek, "this is none of my seeking, though I confess that for a long while I have longed to cross a playful sword with you. I play well." "1 like you," the Greek returned bluntly and kindly, "and if you beat me 1 will not like you less. I can afford to bo beat once, seeing that thus far 1 have never been since first 1 ottered to fence."

"Come, conic," cried refer, who was impatient for the entertainment., "let's see the opening. Now, stand aside, gentlemen." Like twins stood those swords* men as their weapons crossed with a clear, sharp clang. The Greek led oIT carefully, and Rime as carefully wariled every stroke. Then the former assumed a guard, and Ruric led off in turn. Ere long the swords clashed with sharper ring, and soon sparks of fire flew out from the clanging steel. Louder and louder grew the clang, and quicker and quicker grew the strokes. The thrusts were made with skill and force, but as yet neither had been touched.

The emperor was in ecstasy. He clapped his hands and shouted bravo with all his might.

(To be continued.) 1,488