Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-05-25

ants parted. and a woman staggered
on 70 the bridge. Antoinette de Mau-
ban was IN a loose white robe, her
dark hair streamed over her shoulders.
her face was CHASTITY pale. and her
eyes cleaned wildly in the light Of the
torches. In her shaking hand she held
a revolver, and as she tottered for
ward she fred at Rupert Hentzau.
The ball missed him and struck the
woodwork over my head.
| Faith, madam" laughed Rupert,
had your eyes been no more deadly
than your shooting / had not been In
this scrape nor Black Michael in the
lower regions tonightr'
She took no notice OF his words.
With a wonderful effort she Gained
herself till she stood still and rigid.
Then very slowly and deliberately she
began to raise her arm again. taking
most careful aim.
lie would De mad TO risk II. He must
rush on her, CHANGING the bullet or re-
treat toward me. 1 covered him with
my weapon.
He did neither. Before she had got
her aim he bowed in his most graceful
fashion, cried, Il can't Kill where I've
! kissed" aud before she or 1 could stop
him laid his hand on the parapet of the
bridge and lightly leaped into the moat.
At the very moment heard a rush
OF feet aud a voice I knew-Sapt's-
cry, God, it's the duke-deadr' Then
knew that the king needed me no
more. and throwing down my revolv-
er, I sprang out on the bridge. There
was cry of wild wonder The kingt
and then 1, like Rupert Hentzau. sword
IN hand. vaulted over the parapet. in
tent on finishing my quarrel with him
where 1 saw his curly head fifteen
yards or in the water OF the moat.
He swan swiftly and easily. 1 was
weary and half crippled with my
wounded arm. / could not gain on him.
For time I made no sound. but as we
rounded the corner Of the old keen
cried:
stop. Rupert Stop"'
saw him look over his shoulder. but
he SWAN on. lie was under the bank
now, searching. as I guessed. for a spot
that he could climb. I knew there to
be none. but there was my rope. which
would stu be hanging where I had
tNtN A. AAN NWNAAA NNAlNf 10 W mere lN WAS
before l could. Perhaps he would miss
IL: perhaps he would find it, and II ne
drew 10 mp after him he would get a
good start of me. I put forth all my
remaining strength and pressed on. At
last began TO gain on him. for ne. oc-
cupled with his search, unconsciously
slackened his pace
An. he had found It, A low shout OF
triumph came from him. He laid hold
Of it and began TO haul himself up. /
was near enough 20 hear him mutter
How the devil comes this hcrog" l
was at the rope. and ne. hanging in
midair. saw me. but / could not reach
him.
"Heno, WHO'S hcrcgr he cried IN
startled tones.
For moment 7 believe he took me
for the king. dare say I was pale
enough 20 lend color 20 the thought.
but an instant later he cried:
why. It's the play actorl How
came you here. manT
And 50 saying he gained the bank.
l laid hold OF the rope. but l paus-
ed. He stood on the bank. sword In
hand, and he could cut my head open
or split me through the heart as
came up. let 90 the rope.
Never mind" said 1, but as 1 am
here 1 think I'll stay"
lie smiled down on me.
These women are the deuce he
began, when suddenly the great bell
OF the castle began to ring furlously,
and loud shout reached US from the
moat
Rupert smiled again and waved his
hand to me.
Il should like a turn with you. but
it's little too hot" said he. And he
disappeared from above me.
In an instant. without thinking of
danger, l laid my hand to the rope.
was up. l saw him thirty yards of,
running Ike deer toward the shelter
OF the forest. For once Rupert Hent-
Eau had chosen discretion for his part
/ laid my feet to the ground and rush
ed after him, calling TO him to stand
He would not Unwounded and vigor-
Gus. he gained on me at every step;
but forgetting everything in the world
SANSPN AlAh Ahu ny luALSl lOE HIS D4OOus
1 pressed on, and soon the deep shades
OF the forest OF Zenda engulfed US
both, pursued and pursuer.
1t was 3 O'Clock now. and day was
dawning. I was on a long. straight
grass avenue, and a hundred yards
ahead ran young Rupert, his curIs
waTing In the fresh breeze. I was
weary and painting. He looked over his
shoulder and waved his hand again TO
me. He was mocking me, for he saw
he had the pace or me. was forced to
pause for breath. A moment later Ru-
pert turned sharply TO the right and
was Lost from my sight.
! thought all was over and In deep
yexation sank on the ground. but /
was up again directly, for a scream
rang through the forest, a woman's
scream. Putting forth the last OF my
strength, ran On to the place where
he had turned out Of my sight, and,