Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-27
"CoME ON! COME ON, MANI

no man could pass between the chateau
and the old castle till he had tried conclu-
sions with me.
There was another shrek. Then a door
| was flung open and Changed against the
| wall, and 1 heard the handle of a door
savagely twisted!
open the door! In Gods name. what's
| the natter" cried a voice-the voice Of
Black Michael himself
He was answered by the very words
had written in my letter:
Help, Michael-Hentzau!"
fierce oath rang out from the duke
and with loud thud he threw himself
against the door. At the same moment I
heard window above my head
| matter?" and heard a mans hasty foot
steps. I grasped my sword. If De Gau-
tet came my way the Six would be less
by one more.
Then 1 heard the clash of crossed swords
and tramp Of feet. and-I cannot tell the
thing so quickly as 1t happened for all
seemed to come at once. There was an
angry cry from madame's room. the cry Of
wounded man; the window was flung
open; young Rupert stood there sword in
hand. He turned his back, and I saw his
body go forward to the lunge.
on, Michaelv
Johann was there, then-come to the res
cue of the duke! How would he open the
door for me? For feared that Rupert
had slain him.
"Help!' cried the dukes voice, faint and
husky
I heard stir on the stairs above me;
the direction Of the kings CELL But before
anything happened on my side Of the moat
| saw five or six men round young Rupert
In the embrasure Of madame's window.
comparable dash and dexterity. For an
instant they fell back. leaving a ring
round him. He leaped on the parapet of
the window, laughing as he leaped, and
OWN &c tn HI II
drunk with blood, and he laughed again
wildly as he flung himself headlong into
the moat.
What became Of him then? I did not
see; for as be leaped. De Gautets lean
face looked out through the door by me,
and without seconds hesitation / struck
at him with all the strength God had
given me, and he fell dead in the doorway
without a word or groan. I dropped on
my knees by him. Where were the keys?
I found myself muttering: 1.-THE keys.
yet alive and could listen; and when I
could not find them I-God forgive NEIL
believe I struck a dead mans face.
At last had them. There were but
of the door that led to the cell. fitted in
the key. 1t was right! The lock turned I
drew the door close behind me and locked
it as noiselessly as I could putting the
key in my pocket
I found myself at the top of flight of
steep stone stairs. An oil lamp burned
dimly in the bracket. took it down and
held 1t in my hand; and I stood and lis
tened.
What in the devil can 1t be?" I heard
a voice say.
It came from behind door that faced
me at the bottom of the stairs.
And another answered.:
"Shall we kill him?"
strained to hear the answer and could
have sobbed with relief when Detchard's
voice came, grating and cold:
"Wait bit. There'll be trouble II we
strike too soon."
There was a moments silence Then I
heard the bolt OF the door cautiously
drawn back. Instantly put out the light
held, replacing the lamp In the bracket
IT'S dark-the lamps out. Have you a
light?" said the other voice-Bersonin's
No doubt they had light. but they
should not use 1t. 1t was come to the
crisis now, and / rushed down the steps
and flung myself against the door. Ber-
sonin had unbolted 1t and 1t gave way be-
fore me. The Belgian stood there. sword
In hand. and Detchard was sitting on q
couch at the side of the room. In aston
ishment at seeing me- Bersonin recoilsd;