Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1901-03-15
CHAPTER XII.


the innkeeper's visage. He was silent
and meditative.
IAN epic:" said.
AN epic"
"Innkeeper." said |. IF | give you
my word of honor not To modest YOU or
leave this room will you let me he a
witneSs?"
lie passed into the gloom, then back
into the light. This is no trickE' sus-
piciously. Il have a deal of regard for
my old bones, old as they are"
"On my honor"
well. I'll do it. 1t is in the blood of
us all. But false move on'your part.
and promise you that this knife shall
find resting place in YOU"
He cut the ropes. and | was free.
But my arms ached. The two of us
took our stand by the window and
waited for the principals in the drama
about to be enacted in the clearing. l
confess that my consC fence was i'll at
ease. Why | knew not | was dread
ing something, knew not what. The
innkeeper's hand trembled on my arm.
Ssh! They come" he whispered.
AS l looked beyond his finger | saw
four figures advance over the sward.
One of them. slight boyish form, was
new to me- The fellow walked briSkly
along at the side of Stahlberg. who
When they came to the clearing, they
stopped. tbs seconds went through
the usual formalities of testing the
temper of the swords. Somehow
could not keep my eyes off the young
ster who was going to do battle with
the veteran, and | could not help won
dering where in the world he had come
from and why in the world he had
chosen this place to settle his dispute
in. There We're plenty of convenient
places in the village in and around the
barracks. He took his position back to
me, so l could not tell what he was
like. The moon shone squarely in the
lieutenants face, upon which was an
expression of contempt mingled with
confidence. My heart thumped, for |
had never seen duel before.
Il do not know where you came
from" l heard the lieutenant say, but
you managed nicely to pick a quarrel.
1t is all on your own head. 1t is too
bad that cur of an Englshman had to
run away"
The innkeepers knife was so close
that | could feel the point of it against
my ribs. So gave up the wild idea of
yelling from the window that hadn't
run away. The lieutenant's opponent
shrugged. He placed himself on guard.
That was bis reply. Suddenly the two
sprang forward, and the clash of
swords followed | could not keep
track of the weapons, but | could see
that the youngster was holding his
own amazingly well. Neither was
touched the first bout
1.-TWO minutes" murmured the old
rascal at my side. 1t will be over this
time"
You seem to have good deal of
confidence in your man." said l.
"There is not finer swords-swords.
man in the kingdom, or on the CONT
nent for that matter There, they are
at it again.
Step by step the lieutenant gave
ground. The clashing had stopped. II
was needlelike work now. Gradually
they began to turn around. The blades
flashed in the moonshine like heat
lightning. My pulse attuned itself to
,e,4p 7 a,,I l,,, x.1, T.
full of scorn. The laugh-it recalled tc
me laugh l had heard before Evi
IDENTITY the youngster was playing with
the veteran. | became fascinated. And
while the innkeeper and l watched q
curious thing happened. Something
seemed to be slipping from the young
sters head. He tried to put up his free
hand, but the lieutenant was making
furious passes. A flood of something
dimly yellow suddenly fell about the
lads shoulders. oh, then knew! Will
& snarl of rage took the innkeeper by
the throat and hurled him, knife anC
all, to the floor, dashed from the room
thence to the stairs, down which
leaped four at time Quick as l was
l was too late. The lieutenants swort
lay on the grass, and he was claspinl
his shoulder, with the sweat of agony
on his brow.
"a woman!' he groaned. "a WON
am Then he tottered and fell in the
arms of his subordinate. He had faint
ed.
This will make a pretty story
cried the young officer as he laid his
superior lengthwise and tried t.
stanch the flow of blood. Here's {
man who runs away and let's a woman
God knows what sort-fght his duel:
for him. the curt"
l never looked at him, but wen
straight to Gretchen. Stahlberg gave
me questioning glance and made ;
move as though to step between.
''Stand aside, man. l snapped
Gretchen, you have dishonored me-"
ut We're better than to bury you,
lightly. Il assure you he caused me NJ
little exertion."
Yet her voice shook, and she shud
dered as she cast aside the sword
You have made a laughing stock o
me. am man and can fight my owl
battles" l said sternly. My God,
breaking down suddenly, "supposins
you had been killed..
1T was not possible. And the mar
msulted me, not you. A woman? Very
well. / can defend myself against ev
rrything but calumny. Have | made 9
laughing stock of you? 1t is nothing
to me. 1t would not have altered
my She was very white, and she
stroked her forehead.
"WellW said |.