The National tribune., 1906-11-01

Then I heard the clash of crossed
swords and tramp of feet. and-I
cannot tell the thing so quickly as it
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 1 saw
his body go forward to the lunge.
"Ah, Johann, there's one for you!
Come on, Michael"
Johann was there, then-come to the
rescue of the Duke, How would he
open the door for me? For l feared
that Rupert had slain him.
'HeIpi" cried the Dukes voice, faint
and husky.
I heard stir on the stairs above
me; and ! heard stir down to my
right, in the direction of the King S
cell. But before anything happened
on my side of the moat 1 saw five or
six men round young Rupert in the
embTasure of Madame's window Three
or four times he lunged with incom-
parable dash and dexterity. For an
instant they fell back. leaving ring
round him. He leaped on the parapet
of the window. laughing as he leaped,
and waving his sword in his hand. He
was drunk with blood, and he laughed
again wildly as he flung himself head
long into the moat
What became of him then? I did
not see, for as he leaped De Gautet's
lean face looked out through the door
by me, and without a seconds hesita-
ton / struck at him with all the
strength God had given me, and he fell
dead in the doorway without word
or a groan. / dropped on my knees by
him. Where were the keys? ! found
myself muttering: "The keys, man, the
keys!" as though he had been yet alive
and could listen; and when could not
find them I-God forgive mel be-
lieve / struck a dead mans face.
At last 1 had them. There were but
three. Selling the largest, felt the
lock of the door that led to the cell.
fitted in the key. 1t was right, The
lock turned. ] drew the door close
behind me and locked it as noiseIessly
as 1 could, putting the key in my pock-
ct.
found myself at the top of flight
of steep stone stairs An oil lamp
burned dimly in the bracket I took
1t down and held It in my hand, and l
stood and listened.
What in the devil can it be?" ]
heard voice say.
It came from behind a door that
! faced me at the bottom of the stairs.
And another answered:
Shall we kill him?"
I strained to hear the answer and
could have sobbed with relief when
Detchard's voice came, grating and
cold:
"Wait a bit. There'll be trouble 81
We strike too soon.'
There was a moments silence. Then
I heard the bolt of the door cautiously
drawn back. Instantly 1 put out the
| light / held, replacing the lamp in the
bracket.
ITS dark-the lamps out. Have
you a light?" said the other voice
Bersonin's.
No doubt they had a light, but the,
should not use it. 1t was come to the
crisis now, and l rushed down the steps
and flung myself against the door. Ber.
sonin had unbolted it and it gave way
before me. The Belgian stood there
sword in hand, and Detchard was sit,
ting on. couch at the side of the room
In astonishment at seeing me. Bersonir
recoiled; Detchard jumped to hi.
sword. l rushed madly at the Belgian
he gave way before me, and I drove
him up against the wall, He was nc
swordsman, though he fought braveIy
and in moment he lay on the floor
! before me. I turned-Detchard wa.
not there. Faithful to his orders, hs
had not risked a fight with me, bu
had rushed straight 20 the door of the
Kings room, opened it. and slammed Il
behind him. Even now he was at hi.
work inside.
/ And surely he would have killed the
King, and perhaps me also. had it no,