Amador ledger., 1906-05-18

Tne orderly ruSneQ TO the door SnOut-
ing for help. Weary and trembling
though I was, I knelt by CHEESEMAN'S
side, and, thrusting my hand into the
inner pocket of his coat, drew out
fiat pocketbook and bundle of letters
AS l rose to my feet the six troopers
burst into the room with drawn sabres.
1 was not ready for fight at such odds,
but l appeared to be in for it. At the
back of the room a narrow, enclosed
stairway led to the upper story. A heavy
door barred the entrance, the lower step
jutting into the room. 1t was the only
place for stand, and 1 made for it on
the run, the troopers after me.
Bracing my back against the door l
awaited their rush. The first I split
down through the skull, and his brains
splattered over the men behind, where
at they retreated, staring sullenly at
their dead comrade. They were heavily
built, and powerful, with smooth
shaven, determined faces. I knew that
l could not hold out against them. But
that they might not even suspect my
fear 1 shouted at them in derision:
Come on, come on, towards"
Another made at me, sparring eau
tiously. 1 caught the point of his sabre
with my own and sent it whirling over
his head. But my arm was tired. My
sabre turned in my grip and could but
smash him in the face with the fiat of
my blade. He fell back upon the others
with Shrek of pain.
1 was weak from my tremendous eX-
ertions. A great weariness came over
me, and for a moment my head swan.
How could 1 hope to continue the un-
even struggle! The troopers whispered
among themselves and then advanced
slowly, spreading out to disconcert me-
I gripped my sword and set my teeth
for a final effort. Aimee's name was on
my lips. I felt that it was the end.
AT that instant the front door was
smashed in, and, God be thanked!
Fleischmann's great bulk loomed up
before US. I shouted to him and he
rushed forward, believing like an angry
bull.
That he was unarmed made no diff
ference to this stout-hearted giant.
That 1 was in peril was the main
thought. The troopers turned with up
lifted sabres toward this unexpected
menace. 1 groaned at thought of what
might be, and gathered myself to help
in the attack. But Fleischmann seized
one of the heavy oaken chairs, whirled
it above his head, and, with a great
oath, let it fly into their midst. There
was a confused mixture of legs and
arms and sabres. They went down like
nine pins, and, as they scrambled to
their feet, cursing in rage and pain, he
came in like a whirlwind, and, with his
huge fists, beat them to the floor. One
arose with ready sabre, a challenge on
his lips. But it was his last word.
Fleischmann caught him by the neck,
shook him as he would a rat, and sent
him whirling against the stone wall.
He struck it head-on with a crack like
that of a pistol shot, and fell limp, with
broken neck. The others lay where
they had fallen. unconscious.
1o.1
and took my brave friend by the hand
you have saved my life,' 1 said. 81
shall not forget
Outside there was a clatter of hoofs
Through the open door we saw the ter
rified orderly gallop past, bound south
I knew that he would spread the alarm
and that we must get away as soon
as possible.
I found Aimee in an upper room, with
her maid, as 1 had expected. I called
to her and she came to me with a sob.
"Oh, my Jaime, my lion-hearted, take
me away from that beast" she cried,
and fell fainting in my arms.
A few minutes later we climbed into
our big car. Aimee, weak and pale
but inexpressibly happy, was curled up
in one of the rear seats, wrapped in
rugs and blankets. Fleischmann and 1
were by no means comfortable in mind
for there was the Kaisers terrible an
ger to be faced the next day. Yet felt
that with the documents in my pockets
could turn the tables; and, since
mademoiselle was innocent of offense,
things were not so bad after all. So we
swept on through the moonlight to-
ward Bethel We did not know that
even then the Emperor had learned, by
telephone from the orderly, of Cries
mans death; and that detail had been
sent to arrest me and, upon resistance,
to shoot me on the spot.
CTo be continued next week)