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Updated: June 6, 2025
From the moment of his entrance, however, the Frenchman understood that he came in no friendly mood, and was prepared. As Vasilici sprang forward, two shots in quick succession startled the echoes of the room, and the tall figure swayed for a moment, then fell sideways on to the table, and slithered to the ground. In an instant De Froilette was at the door and had locked it.
What rewards in the city could compensate for the loss of their freedom in the hills? This faction was strong, but hardly strong enough to make it possible for Vasilici to break with his other followers. The chief knew it was the time for plausible arguments rather than domineering demands, and these he well knew how to use.
His companions immediately near straggled a little as they marched, and presently he drew nearer to Maritza, and she noticed it. "Take no heed of me and do not look at me," he said. "Have you a hope of winning over Vasilici?" "I have a message for him." "A doubtful protection," was the answer. "Perhaps so, but I have friends in his company."
Their chief, Vasilici, may be a chief only in name, and it is certain that during the past few months many have joined him who are not brigands in any sense of the word, and who, I conceive, are merely using this outlaw as a convenient cloak to their wider and more sinister intentions." "Certainly you have always been an alarmist in this matter," said the King, with a smile.
The box fell to the ground with the packing it had contained, and then with an oath Vasilici drew himself to his full height, one hand upon the haft of his knife in a moment. "Is this how her Majesty attempts to fool me!" he cried. Ellerey took a step forward to look, and an oath burst from his lips, too.
The brigands accepted the terms, and although they broke faith and came back to secure the two men in the tower if possible, they made no attempt to injure the Princess when she climbed down the rope after Anton and stood in the midst of them. She was not wrong in thinking that she was far too valuable a prisoner not to be taken with all speed to Vasilici.
By his manner he knew that the golden cross held some meaning for the brigand, a meaning of which Ellerey was absolutely ignorant; and under other conditions he might have admitted his ignorance and entered into explanations. As it was, the whole bearing of Vasilici, his bluster and his swagger, had roused Ellerey's anger.
"I would be seated while I talk. The journey which I have undertaken into these hills has been a hurried one over a rough road; and, besides, it is not usual for a sovereign to stand in the presence of her subjects." Vasilici burst into a loud laugh, which found an echo among many of his followers, but not all.
We were to do the fighting, monsieur, but to have little of the reward; that was for the Russians lying on the frontier. It was a pretty plot you and the Queen had arranged." "Whose tale is that, Vasilici? You are easily deceived if you believe it." "We learnt the truth when we received this, monsieur." And the brigand held up the bracelet of medallions.
The murmur of the men's voices reached the plateau, but no words could be distinguished. An oath from Vasilici sounded clearly now and again, but that was all. Some persuasion was apparently pressed upon the chief which he jeered and laughed at, but there was a shaking of heads when he pointed to the zig-zag way. His followers were not inclined to try that road to victory again.
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