The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-06
CHAPTER XVIII.

+, The castle Of sasan may BE- divided roughly
Hasn three h, Irregular parts The massive old
sgainst the sky line then the varied cluster Of
buildings Immediately around its foot contain
lowest OF all the courtyards. Kitchens. stables
amI otil ,it TO the right Of the keep wing.
to a lower level. This portion is fairly mod
sIn and arransed for the housing OF guests;
The Countess's own apartments were situated
building. while the quarters assigned by an-
Gent custom to the use OF the r.iRning Duke
unner foor. OF an old and bulky annex that
Iultsd out from the base Of the keen;
from the head OF the grand staircase. Upon
the landing rows Of heavily armed men were
gathering noiselessly.
AS EImur and saGan stood togsther. wait.
Count turned to his companion.
49, Have you proposals ready to lay before his
In form" returned Elmur. touching his
=, That is we'll. for you are about to present
mem 70 The Duke lies practically 10 my power
grimly "Gustave is coward The way TO
his presence lies omen and think you will
% h that h Of MsqsaR
the fear Of death in the eyes"
There must be no violence" Elmur began.
swote With an oath. by tbs, good God. we
cant afford scrqples TO- night"
After short interval he went on.
Once We have Gustaye's word We are safe.
He is too proud TO own that he gave It unwill-
te ne IL Besidss SO long as ". win what mat;
Politics have their exieencies. and are In
| eytably rigorous, my lord answered Elmur
| slowly. To be successful means absolution
In the political courts whore our actions will
Success 10 recognized and Incredibly eonsid-
cred. while failure my lord; not being in any
and is judged by the standard applied TO ordl-
nary, crime. Thus you will see that risk as
much In my place as you risk in yours" Per.
haps this was as near an approach to a threat
| As had ever been uttered In the ears OF the
fierce old Count; With violent movement he
There is no hndrance in our path that can
not be cut through with sword and. by my
ing round. he gave the word 70 advance. and
| entered the darkness of the corridor
tall hgure. standing. sword In hand on the low.
est step Of the flight that led up to the EN- bra
sure covering the door leading to the royal
! Count Simon pushed Elmur ahead OF him
while he fell back to whisper few words to
the man Immediately behind then he took
III ii, ri4ns,st an audience !ii Of his Hlehness
Certainly my lord. i you will give me the
password OF the night" replied Unfair cour
given to his own following in the castle.
| Unfair shook his head.
| You cannot pass. nv lord"
"Whst-n9t see my guest"and cousin In my
own hoq Hishnsss nav. orders tina, non. should
.ersign chosen by himself"
had SaeGnd Geme h.e
@nr; your, trooper there has long ears;1 m ust
,l"ak with You; Stand back, men" h. said ",n
and You. Hern." addressing the man behind
rnnziar stilI stood VI, uEon the step ..,,.
nsas onss G Re f
Elm H SsTp to 's
toward the marrow entry, But while the
Gu sho%dsr and sez ed BY he
at the same moment when a well directed kick
from saGan. delivered cunningl Is behind the
then It was knocked from his hand as his as
had tired his revolver into Hern's body The
man fell across him, but Unfair again swing,
shot into the face nearest him. Mean ime the
trooper at the door was making gallant night,
sne e.: BODY
tied hand and loot and lett gn9n the bloody
flooring OF the outer passage while the Count s
This was matter Of some difficulty. but II
party nas flushed pushed through into the guardroon
which, seemed brilliantly lit in comparison
Most OF the furniture and the screen had
been utilized by Rallywood TO make barri
TSps ss .hhd e
saRan. who held handkerchief to his cheek
DO YOU see who l am? Clear the wayl"
At this RalIywood stepped into view from
| behind the screen.
ness, NJ my iord ri he said. ~ '''' '' '''N"
Sagan stared at Hollywood with naughty
lit is OF the utmost i'm portanee that shoult
see his HiRhuess at once. Inform his High
} moss that urgently beg to be granted an In
Nh DleHsuEs my oTdr b. r sto5 Raly
lie for one to have
night, Our orders were very distinct on tina
Ills Highness could not forssee that r.
the Count dwelt upon TIE pronoun imperio nlS,,
-"sh ould desire one stand baSk, Cant Rally
wood! must pass and'an willing to take the
"ft is quite impossible my lord" repeated
| Rallywood without moving.
You force me to extreme measures" crie'
! | Sagan. Remove this man." he ordered. "a
quietly as may be. We must not alarm HI
There was clatter Of arms as saGan's fol
. in upon hollywood the swords met. Rally
woods sleeve was ripped from wrist 70 elbow
bos nT sSoader The %
: sitting posture, coughing oddly; his hen
n u'"SSboot them down." shouted Sagan. but tn
: words were still on his lips when the door be
A hind John Hollywood slowly opened and fiR
/ Ita appearance checked the rising struggle
: for the figure was that OF the Grand Duk
OF NASSAU. He was wrapped In his hoode
robe OF green velvet, and the five points Of tn
golden altar Of Nassau blazed uuon his breas
Cousin, | would sneak with you. but thOs
fools stopped me" exclaimed Sagan,
The Duke turned his Swallowed face an
Q spoke 10 hollywood in a low voice.
IL Ills Highness begs YOU, my lord to with
A draw your men said Rallrwood aloud.
Sagan. scoWing. ordered his msnto tn
10 further end OF the long room. Meantl N
70 Rally wood, with evident unwlIlInGness, pulle
ave- q portion Q! :hs barricade, ThrouS
this the Duke advanced with stately delit
r Grafton and walked slowly up to the Count.
n With a sudden hoarse shout. Of TRUMP
, Sagan flung his great arms about the Duke
~ body. =;
r. our conversation nowr
The Duke made no attem Dt to release hin
self from the rough hug that held him pri
D: oner. He merely raised his hood with OF
u hand so that SaGan, his coarse mouth sti
10 wide In laughter could stare into the count
~ nance not four inches from his own.
Is Consideration and fury swept over Il
ID Courts features. From under the hood re
=. challenging face, hig white mustache al
l. shaggy -hroued humorous eyes met his gaz
- The sight held him gaping But only for