Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-06-12

k.--rrsrrS-ss and torches caught me full IN
GYly the eyes from the other side
of the bridge But soon the scene grew
clear. and ii was strange scene. The
bridge was in its place. At the far end
of 1t stood a group Of the dukes serv-
ants. Two or three carried the lights
which had dazzled me; three or four
held pixies in rest. They were huddled
together: their weapons were protrud-
ed before them: their faces were pale
and agltated. To put it plainly, they
looked in as arrant fright as / have
seen men look. and they gazed appre-
hensively at a man who stood in the
middle OF the bridge. sword in hand.
Rupert Hentzau was In his trousers
and shirt The white linen was stained
with blood, but his easy. buoyant pose
told me that he was himself either not
touched at all or merely scratched.
There he stood. holding the bridge
against them and daring them to come
on, or, rather. bidding them and Black
Michael to him, and they. having no
firearms, covered before the desperate
man and dared not attack him. They
whispered to one another, and in the
backmost rank l saw my friend Jo-
ham leaning against the portal Of the
door and stanching with a handker-
chief the blood which flowed from a
wound In his cheek.
By marvellous chance l was master
The cravens would oppose me no more
than they dared attack Rupert. had
but TO raise my revolver to send him
to his account with his sins on his
head. He did not so much as know
that l was there. l did nothlng-why
j hardly know to this day | had kill
ed one man stealthily that night and
another by luck rather than skill-per.
haps ii was that Again, villain as
the man was, did not relish being
one of a crowd against him-perhap
At was that. But stronger than either
OF these restraining feelings came a
curiosity and fascination which held
me spellbound, watching for the out
come of the scene.
Michael, you dog! Michael! If you
can stand. come on" cried Rupert.
And he advanced a step. the group
shrinking back little before him.
The answer to his taunts came in
the wild cry of woman:
Hes dead. My God, he's deadw
"Deadr shouted Rupert. Il struck
better than | knew And he laughed
triumphantly. Then lie went on
'Down with your weapons there! I'm
your master nowl Down with them.
say
l 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 a
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 serv'
ants parted. and woman staggered
on to the bridge. Antoinette de Mau
ban was in a loose white robe hel
dark hair streamed over her shoulders
her face was CHASTITY pale. and hei
eyes cleaned wildly in the light Of In,
torches. In her shaking hand she held
a revolver. and as she tottered for
ward she fired at Rupert Hentzau
The ball missed him and struck the
woodwork over my head.
Faith, madam" laughed Rupert,
chad 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. l 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 mo1..
At the very moment / heard a RI ii
of feet and voice / knew-Sapt's-
cry, God. it's the duke-deadw Then
/ knew that the king needed me no
more. and. throwing down my revolv-
er, ! sprang out on the bridge. There
was 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 off In the water OF the moat
lie swan swiftly and easily. l 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 to
be none. but there was my rope, which
would still be hanging where ] had
left It. He would come to where IL was
before could. Perhaps he would miss
II: perhaps he would find IL. and II he
drew II up after him he would get a
good start Of me. ]. put forth all my