Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-20

light of the lamps. He was no longer young
and he had not lived the sort of life that
preserves swordman's vigor and endur-
ance. I myself was fresh and strong, just
beginning, indeed, to warm to my work,
and l knew that, saving accidents, L had
him in my power. In a little while now he
must be SO fatigued that could do with
him I liked.
Their room. He held his sword en- garde, not
knowing what he might meet, but his left
arm encircled the Princess Eleanor's waist,
holding her a little behind him. She, poor
lady, now that the danger was past, sway
ed upon her feet and trembled near the
edge of collapse. The long night of waiting,
pistol in hand, of listening for our attack,
and then her moment of deadly peril from
the fourth ruffian's sword must all have
been frightful strain to her already over
wrought nerves.
Baron Won Steinbrucke, when he saw De-
mis- with the princess upon his arm, made a
furious attempt to break away from me
and attack him, but l pressed him back,
quickening my play, and touched him light
ly near his first wound. That brought back
his defense, though it wrung from him a
Snarling curse that was a foolish waste of
sadly needed breath.
"Off with you, Denisr' I cried. Don
wait for us, take her to the carriage at
once and drive like the devil! Wen follow
on foot. We're both safe. Of with you!"
"Off with you, ladr' came from the fur
Their corner, where Won Altdorf slashed mer-
rily away-for the pure fun of it, I'm GER
tain. He could have done for his man long
since. "Of with you, were all right.
Gods love, why don't you go?'
SO Denis, with a lingering, unwilling
glance over his shoulder knew he hun
gered for more fighting-bore the princess
away. and left the two Of US to our work.
Won Altdorf finished his almost at once.
floor and the man himself drop slowly.
first to his knees, and then, gasping hard,
go fat upon his face and lie still. Then
Won Altdorf went out into the passage to
pulled him down, but this man had tainted
again and was harmless. So that Baron
Won Steinbrucke alone remained to be dealt
with, and Won Steinbrucke's strength was
going fast.
Won Altdorf. who stood near, watch
ing, was just crying, ooh. finish 1t,
lad! finish it! This is no sale d'armes"'
when the Austrian, In lunging wildly,
with which, as l have said, the floor of
the place was Uttered. so that his impetus
carrying his body forward, threw him
upon his knee and his left hand which he
put out to save himself.
But my point, held ready to parry his
thrust, had lain at his breast, inclined
slightly upwards, so that as he fell, 1t en-
tered into his throat somewhere above the
larynx. in the soft parts under the chin,
and driving inward must have pierced his
tongue and so met the bony roof of the
mouth where having only the force given
1t by his falling body, 1t halted.
I jerked quickly back and withdrew the
blade, but Baron Won Steinbrucke lurched
forward upon his face. and rolling partly
over lay still and inert.
by the Saints" cried Won Altdorf In a
hoarse whisper, you've done for him. lad!
| or he's done for himself! There's an end
of Won Steinbrucke. He's dead as dog!
Ah well. 1t can't be helped. Now what's
| to do? We can't leave all these swine ly-
| ing about INTENDED. They'll all die"
Bring one of 'em to his senses!s said