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134
Photoplay Magazine
from a corpse than from a living man."
Tor answer David rushed to the stove, and flung a sheaf of papers upon the blazing lire. Anton strode to his side, but it was too late. In his rage he grappled with the youth and bent him back over a table. Vera seized the free hand in which he held his revolver, but a new thought ' came to Anton. Releasing David slightly, he demanded :
"Did you memorize the code before you destroyed it?"
"Yes," David replied.
"Then sit down there and write me a copy."
"Write you a copy? What for? The Government has others. You have no right to it."
"Don't talk — write," and Anton emphasized the order by cocking his revolver.
"When General Stanovitch returns you will have to answer to him." said David, as he began writing.
"Stanovitch, ha! Don't worry, my lad. He'll not return."
"What do you mean?" cried Yera.
Half-crazed with his lust of vengeance, Anton turned upon her.
"I mean that the Stanovitches are a lot of devils, traitors, ruiners of women, and — why not — she was just like you — my sister — -"
Forgetting everything but his one allpossessing idea, Anton laid his weapon on the table, and took a step toward Yera. In an instant David had the pistol in his hand, and had signalled to the Grand Duke's men, who were waiting outside the house. They entered, Ivanovitch himself at their head.
"He was forcing me to make a copy of the code I pretended to have. Also I accuse him of the murder of General Stanovitch," said David.
"Search the house." the Grand Duke commanded.
In silence they waited for the men to return. Anton stolid and defiant, Yera relieved, yet fearful of her father's fate. In a few moments the men returned, leading Babushka and bringing Stanovitch's despatches.
"We found the woman praying before an ikon, and the papers were beneath her mattress. General Stanovitch has been murdered, apparently choked to death. His body was hidden in the library."
"You killed my father !" Yera shrieked at Anton. "You would have killed me !"
Babushka looked from one to another. All she knew was that her son was in danger.
"He did not kill him." she said, slowly. "I am a spy. I poisoned the General and stole the papers."
The Grand Duke looked from one to the other, mother and son. keenly.
"She has confessed to being a spy." he said to Anton. "Spies are shot on sight. Here," and he handed the Chief of the Okrana a revolver, "do your duty."
Mechanically Anton took the pistol in his hand, but at last the cord of hate that had throttled his life, snapped.
"Mother!" he sobbed, and gathered her in his arms.
One long embrace, and then he turned to the Grand Duke.
"I have been an officer, and have served the Czar well, although also ill. But I know my dutv, and ask that I be permitted to carry it out. Let me step into that room one minute — no more. You may surround it with guards. I ask only a minute."
The Grand Duke bowed. Anton opened the door, and closed it behind him. A shot rang out.