Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-03-22

by a key being turned very carefully and slowly. Who was turning it? And of what room was it the key? There leaped before my eyes the picture of young Rupert, with the key In one hand, his sword in tue other and an evil smile on his face. But I did not know what door it was nor in which of bis favorite pursuits young Rupert was | spending the hours of that night. was soon to be enlightened. for the next moment-before my friends could be near the chateau door-before Jo- ham, the keeper. would have thought to nerve himself for his task-there was sudden crash from the room with the lighted window. It sounded as though some one had flung down a lamp, and the window went dark and black. At the same instant cry rang out. shrill in the night: Help, help! Michael, help! and was followed by shriek of utter terror.
 was tingling in every nerve. l stood on the topmost step, clinging to the threshold of the gate with my right hand and holding my sword in my left. Suddenly perceived that the gateway was broader than the bridge There was q dark corner on the oppO- site side where man could stand. l darted across and stood there. Thus placed commanded the path, and no man could pass between the chateau and the old castle till he had tried con- clusions with me.
 There was another shriek. Then a door was flung open and changed against the wall, and I heard the han dle of door savagely twisted.
 "Open the door! In Gods name, what's the matterF cried a voice, the voice of Black Michael himself.
 He was answered by the very words had written in my letter:
 Help, Michael-Hentzau.'
 A fierce oath rang out from the duke, and, with loud thud, he threw him. self against the door. At the same mo- ment I heard a window above my head open, and voice cried. What's the matter?' and I heard mans hasty footsteps. I grasped my sword. If De Gautet came my way the Six would be less by one more.
 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 madam's room, the cry of a 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.
 "Ah, Johann, there's one for you! Come on, Michaelw
 Johann was there, then-come to the rescue of the duke. How would he open the door for me, for I feared that Rupert had slain him?
 Help! cried the dukes voice, faint and husky
 heard stir on the stairs above me, and I heard a stir down to my right in 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 madam's window. Three or four times he lunged with incomparable 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 I struck at him with all the strength God had given me. and he fell dead in the doorway without word or groan. I dropped on my knees by him. Where were the keys! I found myself muttering. The keys. man. the keys" as though ie had been yet alive and could listen. and when I could not find them I-God forgive me. T believe struck a dead mans face.
 At last had them. There were hut three seiz'as the largest. felt the lock of the door :haS lei 60 the cell. I fitted in the key. It was ri-It. The lock turned. drew the d1o: close behind me and locked t IS no,seIcssly as I could, putting the key in my pocket
 found myself at the top os q fiish; C. steep stone stairs. An oil lamp burned :lirlly ia the bracket. I took it down sld se:i 1t in ny hand. and [ stood and iIstanej.
 What fin She de-iI caE t teT' heard voice say.
 IL came from behind d Goo- that fac. ed Ire st the bottom of the stsi-s.
 And another answered:
 ''Shail we kin hing'
 strained tc hear the answer and couh have sobt,ed with relief vhea Detcssri's voice came grating and cold.
 "NIait q Sii Thcre'I bs t-oGbie if we strike too soon"
 There was moments silence Then I heart tLe bois If the dco- cautiously drawn back Instantly I put out the ligat held. replacing the lamp in the bracket
 -Its dark the lamps out Have you Eght:- said the other roSoe-BT-