Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-03-13

Once, however, OuISlOe the clty we ran little danger, for everybody else was inside merrymaking, and as the evening fell we quickened our pace, my splendid horse bounding along un- der me as though had been feather It was fine night. and presently the moon appeared We talked little on the way and chiefly about the progress we were making.
 'I wonder what the dukes dispatches told him." said once.
 Aye, I wonder.' responded Sapt.
 We stopped for draft of wine and to bait our horses, losing half an hour thus. dared not go into the inn and stayed with the horses in the stable. Then we went ahead again and had covered some five and twenty miles when Sapt abruptly stopped.
 'Harkw he cried. I listened. Away, far behind us, in the still of the evening-it was just half past 9-we heard the beat of horses hoofs. The wind. blowing strong behind us, carried the sound. | glanced at Sapt.
 Come on!' he cried and spurred his horse into gallop. When we next paused to listen, the hoof beats were not audible, and we relaxed our pace. Then we heard them again. Sapt jumped down and laid his ear to the ground.
 There are two," he said They're only mile behind. Thank God. the road curves in and out and the winds our way ..
 We galloped on. We seemed to be holding our own. We had entered the outskirts of the forest of Zenda, and the trees, closing in behind us as the track zigged and ragged, prevented us seeing our pursuers and them from seeing us.
 Another half hour brought us to a d. vide of the road. Sapt drew rein.
 'To the right is our road,' he said. 'To left, to the castle. Each about eight miles. Get down."
 "But they'll be on usr' cried.
 "Get down!' he repeated brusquely, and I obeyed.
 The wood was dense up 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 are?' 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 it. The ground was hard, and we had left no traces.
 Here they come.' whispered Sapt. 'It's the duke"' "I thought SO" he answered. | It was the duke, and with him burly fellow whom I knew we'll and who had cause to know me afterward Max Holf. brother to Johann, the keeper, and body servant to his high ness. They were up to us. The duke refined up. l saw Sapt's finger curl lovingly toward the trigger. I believe he would have given ten years of his life for a shot. and he could have pick ed off Black Michael as easily as I could barn door fowl in farmyard. laid my hand on his arm. He nod ded reassuringly. He was always ! ,a Gaa tpoIipot;o,, fa I,,tv Which wayg' asked Black Michael.
 "To the castle, your highness," urged his companion. There we shall learn the truth
 ] For an instant the duke hesitated.
 "I thought heard hoofs." said he.
 q think not. your highness."
 "why shouldn't we go to the lodgey' i T fear a trap. If all Is well, why go to the lodge? If not, it's snare to trap US"
 Suddenly the dukes horse neighed. In an instant we folded our. cloaks close round our horses heads and. holding them thus. covered the duke and his attendant with our revolvers. If they had found us they had been dead men or our prisoners. ] Michael waited a moment longer. | Then he cried:
 "To Zenda them" and. setting spurs to his horse. galloped on.
 Sapt raised his weapon after him. and there was such an expression of wistful regret on bis face that I 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 well.''
 What does that mean?- I asked.
 God knows, said Sapt. frowning 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 to the ground. For those last eight miles we spoke no more. Our minds were full Of apprehension. "AT Is we'll What did it mean: Was all 1 well with the king? i At last the lodge came in sight. Spur ring our horses to 6 last gzIlop. we rode up to the gate. All was still and quiet Not a soul came to meet US. We dismouuted Tn haste. Suddenly Sapt caught me by the arm
 Look here- he said. pointing to the ground
 looked down Al my feet lay five e six silk handkerchiefs. ton and sizshsd and rent I turned te him qUestioninsly.