The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-07-01
CHAPTER z.

TSHERE could be no further hesi-
q tation. Something must be done,
b and instantly. He gently closed
the door before answering the
third question. In his nervousness he
spoke in English, advancing to the mid
die Of the room. Impossible to see the
woman to whor1 he hissed this alarm
ing threat, he only could speculate as
to its effect:
'If you utter q sound, madam, shall
kill ycu. Be calm, and allow me to ex-
plain NY presence here!
He expected Ter to Shrek, forgetting
that she might not understand his
words. Instead there was deathly
silence. Had she swooned? His heart
was leaping with hope. But she spoke
softly again, tremulously, and In Eng
lish:
"You will find my jewels on the
dressing table. Take them and go.
You will not hurt me?"
Il am not here to do you injury, but
to serve your princess" whispered the
man. "For Gol's sake, do not make
an outcry! You will ruin everything.
Will you let me explain?'
60! Go! Take anything! can be
calm no longer. Oh, how can expect
mercy at your handsw Her tones were
rising to q vail Of terror.
Ssh. Do you want to die?" be hissed,
striding to the canopy bed, discernible
as his eyes grew accustomed to the
darkness. 81 will kill you if you utter
a sound, so help me God!'
"Ohw she moaned.
Listen! You must aid me! Do you
hear|
Another heart breaking moan. Il
am here to save the princess. There is
a plot to abduct: her tonight. Already
there are men in the castle, perhaps in
her room. You must tell me where she
sleeps. There Is no time to be lost. I
am no thief, before God! am telling
you the: truth. Do not be alarmed, I
implore you. Trust me, madam, and
you will not regret it Where does the
princess sleep:" He jerked out these
eager, pleading words quickly, breath
lessly.
How am T to trust you?" came back
a whisper from the bed.
Here Is q revolver. Take it and
kill me if I attempt the slightest in.
jury. Where are you!" He felt along
the bed with his hand.
Keep away! Please! Please" she
sobbed.
"Take the pistol! Be calm, and in
heavens name help me to save her!
Those wretches may have killed her
already
The revolver dropped upon the
clothes. He was bending eagerly over,
holding the curtains back.
s.My friend is in the hall. We have
traced the men to the princess door, L
think. Be quick! Do you wish to see
her stolen from under your eyes?"
"You are now in the princess room" !"
answered the voice from the bed, calm
er and with some alacrity. SIS this
true that you tell me?'
"As God is my witness. And you
you-are you the princess:" gasDed the
man, drawing back.
81 am. Where is Dannox?" She was
sitting bolt upright in the bed, the pis-
tol In her trembling fingers.
'.IIe is one Of the conspiratorS. One
Of the cooks and two other guards are
In the plot Cal you trust me enough
to leave your bed and hide in another
part Of the room? The scoundre!s have
mistaken the door, but they may be
here at any moment. You must be
quick! I will protect you'll swear it.!
Come, your highness! HIde!''
Something in che fierce, anxious whis-
per gave her confidence. The miracle
had been wrought! He had composed
this woman uncer the most trying cir
cumstances tina. could have been i'm
agined She slipped from the bed and
threw long, loose silken gown about
her.
"Who are you:" she asked, touching
his arm.
II am a foreigner-an American
Grenfall Lorry. Hurry" he implored-
She did not move for moment, but
! he distinctly heard her catch her
breath.
Am l drearling?" she murmured
family Her fingers now clutched his
arm tightly.
II should say not! I don't like to
order you around, your highness, but
"Come-come to the lightr' she in
terrupted excitedly "Over here"
Noiselessly she drew him across the
room until the Light fell across his face
1t was not bright light, but what she
saw satisfied he:. He could not see her
face, for she stood outside the strip Of
dusky yellow.
Two men lie beneath your window,
and two are coming to this room. Where
shall I so? Come, be quick, madam!
Do you want to be carted of to Can
look? Then don't stand there like a
like a-pardon me. won't say it,