The National tribune., 1906-09-27

an order from young Hentzau or Black
Michael himself. We must tie Fritz
up"
| 'Tll go to Zenda." said I.
| You're mad"
"Some day."
"oh. perhaps. You'll very likely stay
there If you do"
That may be. my friend" said I
carelessly
His Majesty looks sulky." observed
Sapt. "How's the love AFFAIR."
Damn you, hold your tongue!" I
said
He looked at me for a moment; then
he lit his pipe. 1t was quite true that
I was in bad temper, and went on
perversely:
Wherever I go I'm logged by half
dozen fellows"
II know you are: I send 'em." he
replied composedly.
What for?'
WELL" said Sapt, putting away. "it
wouldn't be exactly inconvenient for
Black Michael II you disappeared. With
you gone the old game that we stopped
would be played-or he'd have a shot
at it."
Il can take care of myself"
DE Gautet, Bersonin and Detchard
are In Strelsau, and any one of them
lad, would cut your throat as readily
as readily as I would Black Michaels
and deal more treacherously. What's
the letter."
I opened It and read It aloud:
IF the King desires to know what II
deeply concerns the King to know, let
him do as this letter bids him. At the
end of the New Avenue there stands a
house in large grounds. The house has
a portico. with statue of nymph in
1t. A wall incloses the garden; there is
a gate in the wall at the back At IL
NJ - ;o~1,k
lalone by that gate, turns to the right
and walks 90 yards he will find Sum-
mer house, approached by fight OF
six steps. II he mounts and enters, he
VIII find some one who will tell him
what touches most dearly his life and
his throne. This is written by a faith
''''l friend. He must be alone Ir he
-glects the invitation, his life will be
IN danger. Let him show this to no one,
or he will ruin a woman who loves him:
Black Michael does not pardon"
NO" observed sSapt as 1 ended, "but
he can dictate a very pretty letter"
I had arrived at the same conclusion,
and was about to throw the letter away,
when l saw there was more writing on
the other side. 60. 5--t - -
'Hailo! there's some more"
If you hesitate fthe writer contin-
ued) consult Col. Sapt-' y
! "Eh!" exclaimed that gentleman.
genuinely astonished. Does she take
me for greater fool than you?"
| I waved him to be silent
ASK him what woman would do
most to prevent the Duke from marry
ing his cousin, and therefore most to
prevent his becoming King? And ask
II her name begins with-A"
1 sprang to my feet. Sapt laid down
his pipe.
.-"Antoinette de Mauban, by Heaven!'
I cried.
How do you known" asked sapt.
/ told him what I knew of the lady,
and how I knew 1t. He nodded
ITS SO far true that she's had a
great row with Michael" said he
thoughtfully.
IF she would. she could be useful"
I said.
Il believe. though. that Michael wrote
that letter."
$50 do I. but I mean to know for
certain. I shall 60, Sapt."
| mo. shall CO." said he.
| You may go as far as the gate"
II shall 60 to the Summer house"
I'm hanged II you shalll"
.ose and leaned my back against
the r1antel-piece.
"Sapt, I believe in that woman, and
I shall CO."
Il don't believe in any woman" said
Sapt, land you shan't go'
II either 60 to the Summer house or
back to England" said I.
Sapt began to know exactly how far
he could lead or drive. and when he
must follow.
Were playing against time" I add
ed. Every day we leave tho King
where he is there II fresh risk. Every
day I masquerade like this there ID
fresh risk. Sapt. we must play high;
We must force tho game"
$50 be It," he said with = sigh.
To cut tho story short, at 1850 that
night Sapt and I mounted our horses.
Fritz was again left on guard, our des-
tination not being revealed to him. It
was very dark night. I wore no
| sword, but I carried q revolver. a long
knife. and a bulrs-eye lantern. We ar
rived outside the gate. dismounted.
sapt held out his hand.
"l shall wait here" hs said, 1T ]
hear a shot I'll"
stay where you are: it's the Kings
only chance. You mustn't como to
grief. too"
You're right, lad. Good luck."
I pressed tho little gate. 1t yielded,
and found myself in q wild sort of
shrubbery. There was . grass-grown
path, and. turning to tho right, as 1 had
beer bidden, I followed 1t cautiously
Ny lantern was closed; the revolver
i y q,
Presently q large dark object loomed
out Of tho gloom ahead of mo. It was
the Summer house. Reaching the steps.
mounted them and found myself con-
fronted By weak. ricksty wooden door,
which hung upon the leicA. I Hushsi
il open and walked in. A woman dew
to me and ssised my hand.
} "6hut the door," she whispered.
j obeyed, and turned the light Of my
lantern on hs1.t She was in svenine
} dress, arrayea very sumptuously, and
her dark striking beauty was marvel.
ously displayed In the glare Of the
bulrs-eys. The GUNNER house was 9
bare little room. furnished only with Z
couple OF chairs and Q small iron table
such ~ one sees In . tea garden or IN
open.air cafe.
Don't talk" pAs said. "ws'y, nc
time. Listent ] Anew yeu, M. Ras.
ssndyil. wrote that Letter At tn,
$50 thought" said I,
) In 20 minutes three men will bs
hero to kill you"
"Three-ths thres3''
Yes. You must be gone by then. II
not. tonight you'll be Killed"
"Or they WILL"
Listen. listen! When you're killed,
YOUR body will be taken to a low GUAR
Her Of tho town II will ba found <hApo