Photoplay (Jul - Dec 1916)

Anton the Terrible 133 "No. Let him be justly punished," Stanovitch answered. "1 only wish 1 could persuade my daughter to consider your suit." "Leave that to time," Anton replied. "But what is this ? You arc dressed for traveling." perfect was Stanovitch's confidence in Anton that he did not hesitate to tell of his journey and its cause. He explained that he would not even entrust the sealing of the despatch-cases to subordinates. "You an the first and only person be myself and the Grand Puke to see these documents," he said: "But 1 must hasten." "Well, now that 1 have seen them, let me seal them, if you have any other matters to attend to," Anton suggested. "Thanks. I will pack my traveling bag if you will finish the job," and Stanovitch left the room. Quickly Anton unfolded the documents and began making notes. Here indeed was news for Germany. Ten army corps involved. Old line abandoned. So en-ed was Anton that he did not notice Stanovitch return. "It's true, then !" Stanovitch shouted. "I thought you were as safe as myself. But it's true !" "What's true?" "The word Vera brought back from the prison — that you're the spy who has been i ict raying us." Anton strode to his side, dragged him into the room, and closed the door. "Yes," he said, fiercely. "It's true. And I'll tell you more. I did it to ruin you — do you understand? And now that you've found out. I'm going to kill you. Do you hear me? — I'm going to kill you. And I'll tell you why. Do yon remember the inspection of the garrison at Korel, fifteen years ago? I suppose not. Do you remember the little girl you destroyed that day? Perhaps you don't remember her either. But I'm her brother, and I've been waiting fifteen years for this minute." Anton did not even permit Stanovitch to speak. Gripping the old man's throat between his powerful hands, the lifeless form of the object of his long hatred was soon lying before him. Anton had instructed Babushka to hear everything, see everything. He looked up from the General's corpse, and met the horrified gaze of hi mother, watching him "He was a traitor." Anton said hui riedly. "1 had to kill him for the sake oi Russia, to get these papers. Hi and he handed her the despatches. "You must hide these until 1 come tor them. And tell everyone that the General has gone on a journey. I will hide the bodj Go." Trembling, but believing implicitly in her son, Babushka obeyed. She hid the documents beneath the mattress of her bed. and knelt in prayer before the ikon on her walL A T first the Grand Duke was as skeptical ^^ as was Stanovitch of Vera's charge against Anton, but at length he agreed to listen to David's story. An order on the prison brought the young officer speedily before him. Still his confidence in the Chief of the Okrana was unshaken. There was no evidence except the word of men whose reputations were extremely bad, from the Government viewpoint, but in whom David was ready to believe implicitly. "Your Highness," David said at last. •'I will stake my liberty upon the truth of the charges. Lay a trap for Major Kazoff. If he stands the test, send me to Siberia. If he does not, set me free." An hour later, Anton, who had gone to his office, received word that through the connivance of a guard David Burkin had escaped from prison, and also had gained possession of the new military despatch code. "He must be recaptured and the code restored before it can reach the hands of the enemy." was the message from the Grand Duke. "Before it can reach the hands of the enemy," Anton repeated with a snarl. Even now. his revenge complete as he could make it, so far as the General was concerned, his habit of betrayal remained. Here was a prize for his German friends. So he set out again for the Stanovitch home, confident that David would go to Vera the moment he was released. He was not mistaken. A servant admitted him. and without a word he searched the house, soon discovering his quarry. "So." he sneered, covering the pair with a pistol. "You have almost escaped. And a thief too. And also a traitor. Hand over that code. Quickly ! This is wartime, and it is easier to take documents