The National tribune., 1906-09-20

up. I saw Sapt's finger curl lovingly
toward the trigger. 1 believe he would
have given 10 years of his life for a
shot; and he could have picked off
Black Michael as easily as I could a
| barn-door fowl in farmyard. l laid
my hand on his arm. He nodded reas-
suringly; he was always ready to sacri-
| flee inclination to duty.
| (which way?" asked Black Michael
ITO the castle, your Highness." urged
his companion. There we shall learn
the truth"
| For an instant the Duke hesitated.
| II thought I heard hoofs," said he.
II think not your Highness."
"Why shouldn't we go to the lOdge?''
II fear trap. If all is well. why go
to the lodge? If not, it's snare to
| trap u.s.
| Suddenly the Dukes horse neighed
In an instant We folded our cloaks close
| round our horses heads. and, holding
| them thus. covered the Duke and his
| attendant with our revolvers. If they
had found us they had been dead men
or our prisoners.
Michael waited moment longer
| Then he cried:
ITO Zenda theni" and setting spurs
| to his horse, galloped on.
Sapt raised his weapon after him, and
there was such an expression of wistful
regret on his face that 1 had much ado
not to burst out laughing.
For 10 minutes we stayed where we
| were.
you see." said Sapt. they've sent
him news that all is Well"
What does that mean?" 1 asked.
God knows" said -Sapt, frowning
heavily. But it's brought him from
Strelsau in a rare puzzle"
Then we mounted, and rode fast as
| the ground. For those last eight miles
we spoke no more. Our minds were
| full of apprehension. "All is we'll"
What did 1T mean? Was all well with
the King?
At last the lodge came in sight. Spur
ring our horses to a last gallop, we rode
up to the gate. All was still and quiet.
Not soul came to meet us. We dis
mounted in haste. Suddenly Sapt caught
Look here," he said, pointing to the
ground.
| looked down. At my feet lay five or
six silk handkerchiefs, torn and slashed
and rent. l turned to him questioning
ly.
lup with" said he. .Fasten the horses
and come along"
| The handle of the door turned with
out resistance. We passed into the room
which had been the scene of last nights
bout. 1t was still strewn with the rem
nants of our meal and with empty bot
tiles.
| Come in cried Sapt, whose marvel
Gus composure had at last almost given
way.
| We rushed down the passage toward
| the cellars. The door of the coal cell
lar stood wide open.
They found the old woman" said l.
"You might have known that from
the handkerchiefs," he said.
| Then we came opposite the door of
the wine cellar. 1t was shut. 1t looked
in all respects as il had looked when VIC
left it that morning.
Come; it's all right" said I.
/ A loud oath from Sapt rang out. His
face turned pale, and he pointed again
at the floor. From under the door a
red stain had spread over the floor OF
the passage and dried there. Sapt sank
against the opposite wall. l tried the
door. 1t was locked.
| Where's josef" muttered Sapt.
where's the King?" l responded.
Sapt took out Il flask and put it to his
lips. ] ran back to the dining-room
and seized heavy poker from the fire.
place. In my terror and excitement ]
rained blows on the lock of the door
ana / fired cartridge into it. 1t CAV,
way, and the door swung open.
Give me n light" said !; but Sapt
still leaned against the wall.
He was. of course, more moved thar
II J. for he loved his master. Afraid fol-
himself he was not-no man ever saw
him that; but to think what might lie
in that dark cellar was enough TO turn
any mans face pale. ] went myself
and took silver candlestck from the
dining table and struck light, and as
l returned I felt the hot wax drip or
my Taxed hand as tho candle swaycd &c
and fro: 50 that I cannot afford to dc.
, sD;Gc Col. Sapt for his agitation.
!, l came 10 thc door cr tho cellar. The
red stain, turning more and more to ;