The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-09-24
PRIZE DETECTIVE STORIES. No. 81.

"Then before you can turn around
you're a dead man" said the bishop.
"Will you hold me harmless with my
lord II let IL down.
"Aye he shall not hurt you. But IL
you do not Immediately let il down, I'll
shoot YOU first and refuse you Christian
burial afterward. Come, down with ii ."
So the watchman, fearing that, IL he
refused, the bishop would spare neither
body nor soul, but would desroy the one
and damn he other, let down the bridge.
and the bishop leaping from his horse,
ran across with his drawn sword in one
hand and pistol in the other. Walking
into the hall he found great company
of Count Nikolas, men drinking, with
one another, but talking uneasily and
seeming alarmed. And the bishop raised
the hand that held the sword above his
head in the attitude OF benediction, saying,
"Peace be with you'll"
Now most of them knew him by his
face and all knew him as soon as com
rade whispered his name; and they
sprang TO their feet, uncovering their
heads and bowling. And he said:
"Where is your master, the countf'
"The count il upstairs, my lord, they
answered. "You cannot see him now"
"Nay. but i will see him." said the
bishop.
"We are ordered TO let no one pass"
said they, and although their manner was
full of respect they spread themselves
across the hall and thus barred the way
TO the staircase that arose in the corner OF
the hall But the bishop faced them In
great anger crying:
"Do Won think / do not know what
has been done? Are you all then parties
in this treachery? Do you all want to
swing from the turrets, of the castle
when the king comes with a thousand
men from Strelsau?"
At this they looked al him and at one
xNff
they knew that the king had no mercy
when he was aroused and that he loved
his sister above everybody in the
world. And the bishop stepped up close
to their rank. Then csae OF them drew
his sword half way from its scabbord.
"And do you all do violence TO lady,
and dare to lay hands on the kings sister?
Ave, and here is a fellow that would
strike the bishop of Gods church,"
And he caught the fellow buffet
with the fiat of his sword that Knocked
him down. "Let me pass, you rogues,
said the bishop. Do you think you can
stop a HentzauY'
"Iet us go and tell the count that my
lord the bishop is here, I" said the house
steward, thinking that he had found
way out OF the difficulty, for they dared
neither to touch the bishop nor yet to let
him through; and the steward turned TO
run towards the staircase. But the bis
hop sprang after him, quick as an arrow,
and dropping the pistol from his left
hand, caught him by the shoulder and
hurled him back. '"I want no announc-
| ing,n he said. "The church Is free to
enter everywhere
And be burst through them at the
point of the sword, reckless now what
, might befnll him so that he made his
way through. But they did not venture
to cut him down; for they knew that
nothing but death would stop him, a nd
for their very souls sakes they dared
not kill him. 30 he kicking one and
pushing another and laying about him
with the flat OF his sword and with his
free hand, and reminding them all the
while of their duty to the church and OF
his sacred character, at last made bis way
through and stood alone, unhurt, at the
foot OF the staircase, while they covered
by the walls or looked at him with
stupid helplessness and bewilderment.
And the bishop swiftly mounted the
stairs.
CHATTER Nv.
At this instant in the room in the gate
tower of the castle overlooking the moat
there had fallen a dead silence. Here
Count Nikolas had raised the princess, set
her on a couch, and waited till her faint
ness and fright were gone. Then he had
come near to her and in brief, harsh
tones told her his mind. For him, in
deed the dice were now cast; he had in
his fury and fear dared all. He was calm
now, with the calmness OF a man at a
great turn OF fate. That room, he told
her, she should never leave alive, save as
his promised wife, sworn and held TO Sc
crecy and silence by the force of that
bond and OF her oath. IL he killed her,
he must die, whether by his own hand
or the kings, mattered little. But he
would die for great cause and in great
attempt. 81 shall not be called cheat
ing gamester, madame, said he, smile
on his pale face, 81 choose death sooner