Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-04-27

There are two" he said They're
only mile behind Thank God. the
road curves in AMI out and the winds
our way"
We Sall0ped on. We seemed to be
holding our own. We had entered the
outskirts of the forest OF Zenda. and
the trees. closing ina behind us as the
track zigged and ragged. prevented us
seeing our pursuers and them from
seeing us
Another half hour brought rs 10 = d.
ride OF the road. Sapt drew rein.
ITO the right Is our road" he said
TO left. to the castle Each about
eight miles. Get down"
"Bnt they'll be on usr' I cried.
Get DOWN. he repeated brusqueIy,
and obeyed.
The wood was dense I'D to the very
edge OF the road. We led our horses
into the covert. bound handkerchiefs
over their eyes and stood beside them.
You want to see who they areY' I
whispered
AYE. and where they're going" he,
answered
I saw that his revolver was In his
hand.
Nearer and nearer came the hoofs-
The moon shone out now clear and full.
so that the road was white with II.
The ground was hard, and we had left
no traces
Here they conner whispered Sapt
'Its the duker'
Il thought sou be answered.
1t was the duke. and with him a
burly fellow whom / knew well and
who had cause to know me afterward
Max Holf. brother TO Johann. the
keeper, and body servant 20 his high
ness. They were mp to us. The duke.
refined up. ! saw Sapts finger curl
lovingly toward the trigger. believe
he would have given ten years OF his
life for shot, and he could have pick
cd OF Black Michael as easily as I
could a barn door fowl in n farmyard-
I laid my hand on his arm. He nod
ded reassuringly. He was always
ready TO sacrifice inclination 70 duty.
(which wayr' asked Black Michael.
''To the castle, your highness." urged
his companion. There we shall learn
the truth"
For an instant the duke hesitated.
Il thought I heard hoofs." said be.
81 think not your highness-"
'Why shouldn't we go TO the lodgeT5
81 fear a trap. II all Is well. why
go 10 the lodge? n not, it's snare to
trap us"
Suddenly the dukes horse nelghed-
In an instant we folded our cloaks
close round our horses heads and.
holding them thus. covered the duke
and his attendant with our rcvolvers-
II they had found us they had been
dead men or our prisoners.
Michael waited a moment longer
Then he cried:
''To Zenda thenr' and. setting spurs
70 his horse. galloped on.
Sapt raised his weapon after him,
and there was such an expression Of
wistful regret on his face that had
much ado not TO burst out laughing.
For ten minutes We stayed where we
were.
'You see" said sapt, they've sent
him news that all Is we'll"
"What does that mcan2r asked.
"God knows" said Sapt. frownlnC
heavily. But it's brought him from
Strelsau In a rare puzzle"
Then we mounted and rode fast as
our weary horses could lay their feet
90 the ground. For those last eight
miles We spoke no more. Our minds
We're fun OF apprehension. "An IL
we'll" what did II mean? Was all
well with the king?
At last the lodge came In sight Spur
ring our horses 10 a last gallop we
rode UP 10 the gnte. All was still and
quiet. Not n soul came 90 meet us.
We dlsmounted in haste. Suddenly
Sapt caught me by the arm.
'Look herev' he said. pointing 10 the
ground.
looked down. At my feet lay Eve
or six silk handkerchiefs. torn and
FLASHED and rent ! turned to him
questioningly.
They're what l tied the old woman
up with" said be. "Fasten the horses
and come along"
The handle Of the door turned with
out resistance. We passed into the
room which had been the scene OF last
nights bout 1t was still strewn with
the remnants OF our meal and with
empty bottles.
Come inr' cried Sapt. whose marvel
Gus composure had ut last almost given
way.
We rushed down the passage toward
the cellars. The door or tAe coal cellar
stood wide open.
''They found the old woman" said /.
"You might have known that from
the handkeFchIefs." he said
TTfI.
the wine cellar. II was shut. II look
ed In all respects as It had looked when
we left IL that morning.
"Come. it's all right" said I.
A loud oath from Sapt rang out. His
face turned pale. and he pointed again
at the floor. From under the door a
red stain had spread over the floor OF
the passage and dried there Sapt
sank against the opposite wall I tried
the door. 1t was locked.