Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-02-18

the kings guest. Yet" he continued aloud in tone of mockery. you did not hesitate to betray your master yourself. Why. then. will you not be tray him to me-
 ITO him l vii. answer not to you.' returned the jester calmly.
 contemptuous smile crossed the free baron's face.
 And tell him how you dared look up to his mistress: that you sought to save her from another. while you yourself poured your own burning tale into her ear? Two things I most admire in na ture." went on the free baron, with emphasis, "a daredevil who stops not for man or Satan and--an honest man. You take but compromising middle course and will hang, hybrid, from some convenient limb''
 But not without first knowing that you. too, in all likelihood will adorn an equally suitable branch, my lord of the thieves rookery,'' said the jester. smil- ing.
 Louis of Hochfels responded with an ugly look. .,
 Fool. you expect your duke will in- tevene" he exclaimed. Not when he has been told all by the king or the princess he sneered. Do you think she cares? You. a motley fool, a theme for jest between us."
 But when she learns about you?" retorted the plaisant significantly.
 "She will cen be mistress of my cas- ue."
 ''CastleY' laughed the jester. "A rob- ber's aerie. A footpads retreat! A ritier of the roads become great lord :: You of royal blood! Then was your father a king of thieves"
 The free baron's face worked fear fully.
 Infuriate, his hand sought his sword. but before he could draw it the fool, anticipating his purpose had rushed upon him with such impetuosity and suddenness that the kings guest, in spite of his bulk and strength, was thrust against the wall. Like a grip of iron the testers fingers were buried in his opponents throat. For one so youthful and slender in build his pow CT was remarkable, and, strive as he might, the princess betrothed could not shake him oil. Although his arms pressed with crushing force about the figure of the fool. the hand at his
 
 to thrust the plaisant from him; but. like tiger, the jester clung. To and fro they swayed. To the free baron, suffocated by that gauntlet of steel, the room was already going round. Black spots danced before his eyes. He strove to reach for the dagger that hung from his girdle, but it was held between them. Perhaps the muscles of the kings guest had been weakened by the excesses of Francis court, yet was he still mighty tower of strength, and, mad with rage. by a last supreme effort he finally managed to tear himself loose. hurling the fool violently from him Into the arms of Elc jailer. who, attracted by the sound of the struggle at that moment rushed into the cell, This keeper, himself a burly. herculean soldier, promptly closed with the prisoner.
 Breathless, exhausted, the free baron marked the conflict now transferred to the turnkey and the jester. The for mer held the fool at a decided disad- vantage. as he had sprung upon the back of the jester and was also unweak- ened by previous efforts. But still the fool contended fiercely. striving to turn so as to grapple with his assailant, and wonderingly the free baron for a moment watched that exhibition of virility and endurance. During the wrestling the testers doublet had been torn open. and suddenly the gaze of the kings guest fell, as if fascinated. upon an object which hung from his neck.
 Bending forward he scrutinized more closely that which had attracted his at tention and then started back. Harshly he laughed, as though a new train of thought had suddenly assailed him, and looked earnestly into the now pale face of the nearly helpless fool.
 "Why." hc cried. here's different complication
 And stooping suddenly he grasped the stool from the floor and brought it down with crushing force upon the plaisant's head-a cowardly. brutal