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

A man less quick would instantly have
been floored but Denis hurdled him as foot
ball player will sometimes hur lie the Cp-
posing line the man who tackles too
low, and was at the studio door in an in
slant
After NO. enc of your he called over
his shoulder 1 pushed by Won Altdorf,
who had his point against the fail N man s
neck, and We burst into the wide space Of
the studio together.
The room was dimly lighted from small
lamps hung upon the wall and from g. largo
one overh I'D. which was turned low. There
was Il litter of clothes and blankets and
pillows about the floor, and the air was
full Of tobacco smoke.
Baron Won Steinbrucke stood in the mid
die of the room alone. He must nave been
sleeping, for be was clad only IN drawers
and undcrshirt. He stood with his back
toward the door of the further room-the
door was slightly ajar-and he hold in his
hand no saber like the others, but a long
slender BIZ 90 such as our own. He stood
leaning forward a little, poised, waiting.
There was a slight smile upon his lips but
this pass sd In an instant, and I shall never
forget his look when he saw our two faces
full in the lamps light, and recognized US
Denis. who had stalked about the room un-
der his very nose that afternoon asking
questions in bad French. and myself, to
whom he had. in his cups babbled secrets
that would hound him to his grave did
but make them known.
His sword point shook and dropped for
breath. then he was at us with snarl OF
rage. I have never seen a more furious or
more reckless whirlwind Of attack.
"Give him to me. lad! Give him to me!'
said Denis and stood back while they en-
gagged l knew there could be but one out
come to that combat. ."
But their blades had no more than clash
ed when there came the Sound of scuffle
gotten the fourth mani And then the Prin-
cess Eleanor'S VOICE. "a
"Quick, Denis! shs cried. ''be quickv'
There was no fear IN the tone. no trem-
bling but it told q sbe oaIle aeee
irving to Shall Ioshoot? Shall Shoots ''
Denis whirled swiftly toward the door.
saw him lunge again anq again quick as
light. but the AustFfans desperate fury
made a defense that even his matchless
skill could not break down at once. The
man would have to be tired out by rapid
attack. but there was no time for that.
Denis back was at the door now.
Now, then, Tedp' belcried. take him on
nowl, and my pointreached Steinbrucke's
left arm Just as Denis went through into
the inner room. - *
What happened there of course I could
not see. It was told me afterward. Denis
! it seems. was but in the nick of time, for
| the fourth ruf1an, holding great pillow In
his left hand as a shield. was sorely press
| ing the Princess Eleanor with his sword
WHY he hesitated to finish his work dc
not know. I suppose he was in deadly feaI
of the pistol and equally In fear of his mas
| ter who had commanded him to kill the
princess, SO that he hung between the two
terrors hoping that our attack might be
| repulsed.
It is possible. on the other hand. that he
was not to kill her till Steinbrucke, seeing
| the battle hopelessiy against him, should
cali the word. I cannot tell. I know only
| that at Denis entrance he whisked abou,
| to face him. and an instant later dropped tc
| the floor with clean thrust through hif
right shoulder.
! Meanwhile I was as busy aa any mar