The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1907-04-19
6ds Prisoner:
Zenda
By ANTHONY HOPE
Copyrighted, 1891, 1898, bg Henry Holt & !
Company
lcoNTINUEDl

CONTINUED < s~.
The answer to his taunts came in
the wild cry Of woman:
Hes dead! My God, he's deadr'
"Dead"' shouted Rupert. II struck
better than knew!" And he laughed
triumphantly. Then he went on:
Down with your weapons there! I'm
your master now! Down with them, I
sayr'
/ believe they would have obeyed,
but as he spoke came new things.
First there arose a distant sound, as
of shouts and knockings from the 9TH
er side Of the chateau. My heart leap
ed. 1t must be my men, come by
happy disobedience to seek me. The
noise continued, but none of the rest
seemed to heed it. Their attention
was chained by what now happened
before their eyes. The group Of sery-
ants parted, and woman staggered
on to the bridge. Antoinette de Maui
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 l had not been in
this scrape nor Black Michael in the
lower regions tonight"
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.
He would be mad to risk it. He must
rush on her, CHANGING the bullet, or re-
treat toward me. 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" and before she or 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 and voice ! knew-Sapt's-
cry, God, it's the duke-dead.' Then
knew that the king needed me no
more. and. throwing down my revolv-
er, sprang out on the bridge. There
was a cry Of wild wonder. The king"'
and then /, like Rupert Hentzau, sword
in hand. vaulted over the parapet- in
tent on finishing my quarrel with him
where | saw his curly head fifteen
yards of in the water Of the moat.
i He swan swiftly and easily. was
weary and half crippled with my
wounded arm. could not gain on him
For time made no sound, but as we
rounded the corner Of the old keep
cried:
stop, Rupert! Stop
saw him look over his shoulder, but
he swan on. He was under the bank
now, searching, as guessed, for a spot
that he could climb. | knew there tC
be none, but there was my rope, which
would still be hanging where ! haC
left It. He would come to where II wa'
before could. Perhaps he would miss
Il: perhaps he would find IL, and IL b.
drew IL up after him he would get Z
, good start Of me. / put forth all IN!
remaining strength and pressed on. A
last I began to gain on MIN. for be. o.
cupied with his search, unconsc,oJsi!
slackened his pace.
All, be had found II! A low shout o
triumph came from him. He laid hol
1f II and began to haul himself up.
, was near enough to hear him muttel
2 How the devil comes this here;"
was at the rope, and be. hanging I
midaIr, saw me, but I could not reac
, him.
, Hello! Who's here?' he cried /
/ startled tones.
For moment I believe he took m
for the king. dare say / was pal
enough to lend color to the though
/. but an instant later he cried:
, why, it's the play actor! Ho'
! came you here, mani"
And 50 saying he gained the bank.
: I laid hold Of the rope. but / pau
/ cd. He stood Oh the bank, sword
hand. and lie could cut my head ope
or split me through the heart as
] came up. let 90 the rope.
\ Never mind" said I, but as ! al
here think I'll stay"
lie smiled down on me.
"These women are the deuce
Y began, when suddenly the great he
j Of the castle began to ring furiousl
3, and a loud shout reached Us from Il
! moat.
i Rupert smiled again and waved b
= hand TO me.
81 should like a turn with you, b
it's q little too hot" said he. And !
disappeared from above me.
In an instant, without thinking
L danger, I laid my hand to the rope.
s was up. / saw him thirty yards OIL
q running like a deer toward the shelf
Of the forest. For once Rupert Hen
N a -. .IE.a..sEass 4f.is fIia ftaf