THE QUEEN'S ADVOCATE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12609, 25 June 1904, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE QUEEN'S ADVOCATE.

[PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ABBAirGEMENT.] . . . **"" , "

BY ARTHUR W. MARGKMONT. Author of "When I Wa« Cw/' u. ~ "By Sight of fiirori/'^fK^vf^J "Etc., Etc.

CHAPTER XJCIV. " TOE imm OP TERaOK. ';■' „ / The fear which ,my prisoner displayed led me to prolong the 'interval before .I questioned him. :It was lasseutial for, my purpose that he ? should be ' thoroughly frightened ; and the suspense was enough to try much stouter nerves than his. X let him have some two or f three iminutes, .therefore, go that his "fears should have .full scope; and- just 'as "lay; first question was | on my lips a happy thought occurred to me. I saw that I could . make valuable use of the Russian reputation for 'doing'j ugly things. . He was more likely to fear the Russians than any other party concerned; ; and if I could make him believe ho bad now fallen into their hands, he be far more likely to answer my questions than if I played the more difficult part of an army officer, believing him false to the urmy. » \iV ,/.<■ ; "Stand over there,". I cried," sternly and suddenly in Russian,.pointing to ';>e wall; and the start he gave at hearing the unwelcome language proved' to 'me that I ■was right.. He moved to when I pointed;' his eyes on !me all the time. *' Attempt to move and. the ' dog will Jbe. on . you ," rl« added, as bmtally and cosusely as I could. j Then I rang the;bell, and when Buller crime I said in Russian " Tell General Minakoff I have the prisoner Jind am questioning him." Bu f Buller didn't, understand : Russian and stood staring ,at; me in hesitation what to' do 5 so, to - give the - thing colour, I jumped up, swore vigorously, and, as if in' a paroxysm ;of : rage, thrust \ him violently, out .of the room, pretending to t kick him, as I shouted:"Do as I say at ■ once," ' >r ir • Sn I flung myself back. in my m* only to jump up again, and as t though I had forgotten something rush out of the room after Buller. I explained matters, and told him to find a servant who coc.ld speak Russian, and send him to me to say that " I wis to see General Minsk off with toy report as soon I as possible."

I : 'This.: partiualar P.uß,4an officer t»d ju4rß •# ; the reputation;- for violence thai* lWW \^3wM\ , tain to impress * the:; spy; and the: mere) M(spPg . bullying' and brutal; I J could ] make my man* psfgiji ner the more characteristic would it bo •^*/Mj|^ the general's agents. ' h -' ' ' ,') " You speak my lansua ß «??;I jerked oott.-;i^ in Russian. * <«. - T > ,l ,^ij3 ; "I understand it a ' little," lie answered : with difficulty. '* ? ? i^);>il| "Then we'll use your own cursed tongas, * | ris aid in Serb. "I have no time to, : wa*ta HI over you, b» if you don't answer plainly^ TV, tot' mean* to make you. How w^&£flgs money-did that . soldier give you just nowT^j^gia *He •started Jit finding:l knew this awi ■ w^> looked about for : a lie. •; "Money! /}l ;darfl»|^|| understand your Excellency. * M^ •* It's in that pocket." J pointed *° wft4»^j| I had seen him place it. "Take it out, yon "t lying dog. Quick," I thundered, as ho still hesitated. " I know everything '¥1 Slowly, for it cost him a pang to pa* with it, he'drew; out the handle of bflla, ;-v r : " i% is my own," he faltered. .;., "The gold, too. Quick,'' , . - Again M-trembled, but da*ed «ot i«toe» I had now impressed upon him that I tew* ~ > ■ his. secrete. j '• ... v...»- , '4 " Put it there " I said, pointing to a chaov " Now,-111 1 test ■ your power : ; of sposfcia;, the troth. What was that; money paid fori * ;■= ; He stared at me in a. nwewt of fear, toy* 'irig';.to- s moisten his perched lips with * tongue r as dry as leather, - wishing to is* ;, ' ,but yet afraid;. and in his fright unable; ' , to coin a plausible tale. "It was money— to me, M etam*-;.*^ J I paused a moment to let him hoco'tk*, lie had imposed upon me; and them potato* to the bell. "If that hell is rang it will'bringk .- my men here with the means yon haw heard' we use to make prisoners apea* tfc* truth/;" Go rand ring it now-~or tell|«»4|®y i this truth of your own accord." - ;:'• ' .:. ; • It was a touch of refined cruelty eloqWil* of Russian methods to make him -tamMM ; ; iJ bill own torturers, and it did much to carry) ; , ; conviction now. '_' -i • -■ I "I don't'want; to dteeive yew BxeeJi leitcy," he murmured. »_«_— '' "' "■ < "Is '*' that- why ;; you want '! me '-to~- behove: that when a man owes y<,u money he in the dead of night 'to pay if after ■ wart- 1 v j in- for your signals front-the hou3S— w«>-;;■'■-.:(. ■■? light threo times ftwb*d? You .lying; oar I, Ring that bell—l haw BOfljßWt*tome.tr, ~;: ; '.watt." • ' .., t • . •*» ■ ; "You wont torture mV* he eried* it: "Ring that bell," I thundered. "Ml pleases me fox yon yaw-self to • <*m V**', , torturers;" and I laughed, as if the grant ;, : ■;<;•! - joke were really to my taste. ..-. ;. ■ u Down he went on his knees. ;^Not»tt«)ri r v-4 '■■ torture, Hisceltay Nob the torture. r £:T«|aasH • God's sake, not that." ■■ ; <■ ;,^pi£%?Sg| s "You've had a taste of it before, eh. . Sl - . I-saH;' with another griu, feeling an awfUl ! bisast as I did it. "You can 1 obflOM^wt..-; - j . torture or the truth of your own will. ' r ."My' God!" ;he exclaimed, covering w* , white face and writhing and then: w».trnt« :smm «ane slowly and with »hous, as fee won*** ■?■:■•; v&i ';; how little ha dared to tell and yotoayo . i hJis skin. *It was for my mistress safe*, .-' , i —the Princess. Wa were all l^*"*. 1 * , the house because we are so weak. ; had ;-. :; ....| 1 arranged to let soma soldiers ;» ,to., Pt<rt*£|||| I «»alf" . . „ < : -± '-::>:

v,'-« You ■: must? do ; better than the*, Ws4 Try again." I «wed; coarsely. ° Jtod^^H fay you to come and-protect you., 1-.Y00H'... •■; :..! have'to lie better Atbwi .-tbJW<!owna»s|j| me." Thm 1 changed the sneer to .a teap- ] ot : anger. .':•-" I'U have no more of taw; Wimm truth,- or—" and I laid my, t hand on tnaj ;\ At that moment the man Bulk* had »n| vrith the message in Russian came m ,«w ■ delivered it. „ T 1 ' r^C' V ,.jM J ? " Very good," I said to him? and added* " Tell Stock Ivan aid ■: Loris to .com*. th». ■ ■?: | instant I ring, ' I find 'I ; shall need wm*\ ;.•;' i They know what to bring with thon^VF-^.^sifs ■ The.bluff worked. I \ saw that. the: »a^|||| slant the servant left the ween*/ '-b:--^'±> : Z'stMm .;.'.'l'll give you one miaul*; -no .more^X-vi;-^ declared? ' * t wt J ;.! " I'll .tell your ■Excellency aU I few*** J* WM stammered at oao*. " I was paid to let ; the 'p soldiers into th* house at two o'clock i» the j morning." - -', , ' M ~,:"For.what ptfrroeey' . k -:i <I r-j , 7 . r *. II -A "For what purpsse!" I tepeatedi'itsW»g£%3j 41 They wouldn't tell me.'l i ' '' -v .'. f 1 ... .At that I appeared tip fly .'lnto': A pasakail? 1 ■■■:*:■ I aedzed tha revolver,' aad.goaia. Up to/||sai :<'-ftV-' clapped it to his head. ,"■ ■-,';, ,:. ; :->;,,...,., .> :; , .'* Answer ma, or I'll wlter $&% hff2il, s . | hero on the floor." ;-..';•...••!■;• :■;':.'•'• .-.-' -jA;-■';_/. ■■"jc: .-£ He shrank and groaniid 9* be felt tail celAi steel on: his forehead:^:; ; ;v: ■%•■.:.;': i "To arrest, the Prinouss, Exaailiaey. , CBi* p .my. God, my God," he c:ci.«d .and bwa* i***. '.•; '■!. went bads, to my, coat,' - ' Tim taatkfol • . ?,. iiervaat to' your mistress !>i ~ Bo ; yon tour* that's going to happen,' to-niaJA-^li»*J£"%llil yon have chosen for this infamy!" ' •':;?;',] "N—no. Yes," he clunged his wenfe iilmost', eagerly a*; he *»«s!* ay, eye* "Giv* it words thea. ' : -^ ; : ; 1 "They told meiit.'.wkY; for ; hcr*M«*y«' ; :.&'■] Excellency. .They did, they did; I swear thfjli did; on my soul.-3 When the Xing' and Qneetf ;ii Ad' the others i are '■ taJttm'l from the '• jpnlMf) lAe'r Princess'V would '-be \in dagger & keis iiouse, and they .mew l;osnt'bei l tin a place of l l?~ :•■;•' This was news indeed ■ and in. my co* isternitibn at hearing it, this"coward M)4toV'f; : j treachery . became, of '. little - : importenoe, 1 did not; doubt he speaking the ixvtM about 'that, whatever Ids, omi motivee''AJ>9) ; 'Mh have been far. his act. Tad tfe*e n plan ©c*. •curredito- rac. y :/. : v .^ ; , : v:';:';..^:v-'-4 ; i--:^:"V:;. : "j "How 1 many • men 'were, to ■ carry : en* tJ*st' i ;f f "I don't ' know—only a few; i four f 'Jf f^3P . at i most;' ' we' '■-. .have .'no * mean* of -resisting : them in-the bouse." r,> -i ;;- fl '"'■ ■'.'■'■■■'■ ■■'.•"''" v "'-j'hS|!s| »:.: You •aw .to let: them in by v aw':t^Wt'^|| ■.••■*' Yes; Excellency,' at two o'cT.eek. .': 'TilJI ]V could - force ,their.w&y; in |«T6a-,wilAoW jWs>i^ hap.' f j* ' -'" - ',: " k«' >>h r f s ,:'.• i paid an' heed; to" attempt '•tliwWilPl ; pation. "What is ywir. same? Tim matt they know yon .by^'^i trt - : v'"'•.,'■:.:/•'.':'l;4#li| u v M,- rf ,h -1 ' , ' "lift-- I '. „ >** k (•• shfwtfl "How many meß..s«rviuii f a;&re ' *tt SW -^.J house?" l *, s >? ,L. v - - -;v "(V,rM "Two besides my« M.. Tw»' are ' EsceUency.V ;,'- \- .- \- H \{s<-j " Anyone keeping m t£« stable* ,' ""-•,':•'j ■ :s'{Noiohe;vExc<dlewy."^;'^-^>f;^^ > " Any of: the- others kn(Mr>oi 01* jta^^jd ; "" "No, Excellency." . "." You',have, the; kej-' *A tie Et-abkt4^%| Give its to'me. w ' . f¥ v l "Vr -" •• • He handed it over with a deep s«4fc : " h -.?." You have eared your «kin,?.'l aa3; f ttß»«j^J^| ly; " but you must re!maitt hens. Yon ww 1 be safe if you make no'eifort to.. ipesistb'^W'j3gg ' i you; do', that, I ■'■ shad', lieave orders that ; ywaiiJ^ l\ are to be shot." I said, this much an thqaf» it were my daily custom U> catch m*sn and : murder th*m; * «ac! • tiae wry / tone ; i 1«94> ■' ■!:".' 1 .. "added 1 to' : : his Leaving bin- a minute in tha care of (3liM% is\ | • ; .Kariscb having v-arriivedr: f told ;| line ',♦• - have the man bound looked up in of the many ; vaults i SI 'the. basement'ol.ttl-,^ ' ,l:I was glad fro be reliawsd of his presence* \ ■ and then set .to work ; to'. cany out to* :'. | I scheme"which.'; his .. story had saggee**** , When Kars^.c : came back' I told hint when ■ I Kid : v lMm6\'»W::ad^ l 'lii» v M»vi«dtt|™ 'fared. " > H < ,<* V. 1 '•,"Except tbe haadtid"Qf,m«a;Wi'Wfi««. *mm I knew I could : trust,; - I have: done :little t^ msm slid ' ,' "i 1 \l f f^i.\» , \\ $ ' "They may be enough ■ for' «^^*^#|- ; ..- j [ plans. Can you get them to-night, , ana ;■ I ! above all-can you get' uuilottas for tWIWi r "I fear not, Esielkncy.. It is p*« WO* , : . "Get the men then, I'll find nniforw l«f ' them. My plan is to go to th« rmcW;kawt|p I at once;. to ait for. the men who are ep»* ing to arrest her; make them prisoaera a*#<*/ * . then play their part. 'They will be able U If [ : provide us with the costumes, ~:l.addedj,.;..:l.addedj,.;.. , i smiling grimly , '' ** ■. i^ -^ T,f b ■, ',' It is very dangerous, was Ins coaua«& ,■: % [. • ."You mean for tlaem? Yea, it .•»»;#»! '■ "I mean for you, and all of m. r "If anyone is afraid, 1«* him stay awgfi ' , I can go alone."'lt is ro.work for childten* . of course." I exclaimed,. |i '.'Have I -deserved that from "your !Ex«t';. \ j! i "No, Kwasch; I know yw tout '% .- ,!' am- excited." ■ v__ '■ i . " Toll me what has to bo done and I wfll. :• >; ,do it," :! he said, simply; and tfee» *•* b cussed;• very •hurriedly, the ■'• plan? and ; WW* '%■; ■'■■■ pieted the wh*«h sad '*» : s&§m J Bldtfe. -~ ... .*',..!'-■"'.■"•" iS ' . ' .'.■■'•. (To be coatianed ; d'iuly-)''' v /''; : ;t,; r .'/•• .. ~ ", l -,'W;' a;a^^..'',.y^;.jU