Shelled by an Unseen Foe | Page 6

space. A look of surprise and happiness lit his face.
Slowly he raised his arms as though in greeting, then sank back, dead.
Zaidos, kneeling, buried his face in the pillow. So it was over, all over!
Someone raised him to his feet, as the nurse tenderly drew the sheet
over his father's face. He lifted it and with one last lingering look
replaced it gently, then left the room.
The clock struck three.
As he sank wearily in a chair, the old nurse entered. Her face was
stained with tears. She glanced about, then seized Zaidos by the arm.
"Don't trust Velo!" she whispered, and left his side. None too soon, for
Velo entered the room and with a gesture dismissed the old servant.
"Now, Zaidos," he said abruptly, "we will talk. You are crazy to carry
such valuables around with you. After we have had breakfast, we will
decide where to keep those papers. I am the next in line, as you know,
and it is only just that I should know where they are in case you should
get in trouble."
Zaidos shook his head. "I shall keep the papers," he said. "Of course

you may remain here. I shall always look out for you. I shall not be
killed in this fighting; I feel it."
"So have other men," sneered Velo. "How did you get away?"
Zaidos told him.
"Do you mean that you could not get permission, and that you escaped
and came anyhow?" he asked, an evil gleam lighting his narrow eyes.
"That's about it," said Zaidos, nodding. "I must go back at once. The
doctor's car will take me close to the barracks. I must get there before
dawn." He went to the window and looked out. "I have no time to
waste!" he cried.
"But look here, if you are caught, it means desertion," said Velo.
"Yes!"
"In war-time that means death," said Velo.
"Yes, but I am not going to be caught," answered Zaidos.
"Then you must hurry," declared his cousin. "Wait here just a moment,
and I will see that the car is ready and get a cloak to cover you. I almost
fear you have waited too long, cousin," and hurried, from the room
with a last sidelong look at Zaidos' bent head.
Five minutes passed; then with a last look at his father's closed door,
Zaidos went down and found Velo standing beside the automobile,
talking to the chauffeur. Already the intense blackness of the night was
lifting. Zaidos felt a chill of apprehension.
"You will have to hurry," said his cousin. "I will come down later and
look you up. Hope you get back." He stepped back, and the car shot
forward, but only for a short distance. With a queer grinding noise the
engine stopped. The driver leaped out and examined it with a flashlight.
He uttered an exclamation of dismay.

"Someone has put sand in the engine!" he exclaimed. "Yet I have been
in it all night long!"
"You must have left it," said Zaidos. "Or did you go to sleep?"
"Yes, yes!" stammered the driver excitedly. "I was called away just
now, when Velo Kupenol sent me to my master to tell him that I was to
take you back to barracks. Ah, what shall we do?"
"How far is it?" demanded Zaidos. The night was lifting. He shivered.
"A mile straight down that avenue, Excellency, until you reach the
great fountain in the public square. Then a half block to the left. You
cannot miss it, but you cannot make it before dawn."
"Good-bye!" called Zaidos. He started down the wide avenue with the
gentle, easy stride that had made him the best long-distance runner in
school. His wind was perfect and he covered ground like a deer; but
clearer and clearer as he raced he could see the grey forms of
surrounding objects take shape. He reached the fountain in the public
square; he made the turn to the left and slowed to a walk. The sentry,
walking slowly, reached the opposite corner, and before Zaidos could
reach the open door he turned. It was too late to turn back. Zaidos
squared his shoulders and approached. The sentry eyed him sharply and
was about to speak but Zaidos said, "Good-morning," with civil ease.
The man returned the salutation. Then, "What are you doing here?" he
questioned.
"With a letter," said Zaidos, tapping his pocket.
"Where from?" demanded the sentry.
"Over there," said Zaidos, nodding his head in the direction of the
avenue. It was a bold shot, but it carried.
"Oh!" said the sentry. "The other barracks, eh? Well, will your errand
wait, or must I wake them up within?"

"There is no hurry at all," said Zaidos, easily. "I must see the
commanding officer