Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-08
PRINCESS MARTHA
BY PERCY BREBNER.
Copyright. 1905. T. J. Mcbride & Son.,

deliver him to. the tender mercies of the
brigands."
cry from Stefan, which was half an
oath. startled them, and in an instant Ell
lerey had sprung to the soldiers side. An
ton at the same moment seized MS knl1e,
and all three men were In the doorway
slashing and thrusting' furiously at those
without. For a moment there were only
two or three, who had approached silently.
but their shouts upon being discovered
brought crowd rushing to their assist
ance.
When Anton had deserted his post to come
to Grigosie's help. the temptation to secure
an easy victory had been too great for
those who watched the plateau. Vasilici
may have given no orders that the truce
should be thus flaErantly broken, but those
who had seized the opportunity knew we'll
enough that success would win easy for
giveness.
AS 1t had been Mt the gate guarding the
zigzag path, those in front, wounded or
dying, were thrown back upon their COM
panions. impeding the rush which must
have effected an entrance. Perhaps there
was still desire among most of them to
let any comrade who would force himself
into the forefront of the attack. The PROV
ess of the defenders had already taught
them a salutary lesson.
Quick Stefan; that the door will
close and fasten.'' whispered Ellerey.
when it's ready, shout: give us a moment
to thrust back the foremost Of them. and
moment to get In, and then we'll shut
them out, if we cam
Stefan made a sharp cut at the first man
within reach Of him, and then slipped back
into the tower. IIe shouted almost imme-
diately, for Grigosie was already at the
door, and had seen that it was in working
order. At the shout Ellerey and Anton
made dash out If in last attempt for
freedom. A slash to right and left, cring-
Ing back to those in front gave them the
opportunity and the time they wanted. In
another ne they WI hin the tower
the door was shut, and the great bolts In
it shot home.
It's not likely we'll be using this way out
for a while,'' said Ellerey, $50 we'll pile
everything against it can to streng then
it,
They worked with a will. and while the
brigands beat at the door without, they
barricaded it within: and having heaped up
against it everything they could lay their
hands on. they drove in some wooden stakes
at an angle to hold the obstruction in its
place and resist the pressure.
That will stop them for a little while"
said Ellerey.
No one answered him. AS soon as the
work was accomplished Grgosie turned
away, and Stefan wiping the sweat from
his brow with the back at his hand. looked
with unutterable fierceness at Anton.
''You-you-" And then he burst out
with mighty oath. There's no word in
devils or mans vocabulary to call you by.
You're to thank for this. Weren't you or
ueTeu " hcep Sudiu US Tic bdIilei SOIis
der?"
Let him be- Stefan" said Ellerey laying
his hand on the soldiers arm. ''He did
rightly in leaving it. He came to protect
his Mistress
Stefan glanced at Grigosie, whose back
was toward him. and muttered something
deeply; oaths t. may have been. but the
words seemed to lose themselves in his
beard. Anton said not word. He looked
at Ellerey, and 1t was a look of which 1t
was difficult to read the meaning. 1t was
one of wonder rather than Of gratitude.
Perhaps he was trying to understand the
real character Of this strange Englshman.
The brigands still continued to hammer at
the door, but it showed no sign of giving.
1T will hold for a time" said Ellerey,
but we must see what can be done to in
terrupt their attentions as much as possible.
A shot two from the chamber above
might help them to become quieter. Come
Stefan. and let US see what we can do"
In the chamber above there were narrow
Sits in the walls, and the top of the Zigzag
was commanded from this vantage place,
but those Immediately below were out of
danger. Some men were standing by the
broken-down barrier, and Stefan wanted to
fire at them. but Ellerey stopped him.
Their ammunition too valuable to
throw away. A cartridge presently might
be worth much more to them than one
mans life Just now.
'Those at the door below are the danger"
said Ellerey.
There's a good deal of loose stonework
on the roof" said Stefan "A piece of that
heaved over at intervals might give them
something to think about besides hammer
ing al that door"
They shall have a lesson at once" said
Ellerey, climbing carefully up the broken
stairway which led to the roof. 1t has
been said that turret had fallen in. break
ing part Of the stairs away, but the roof
could easily be reached. There were many
fragments. some large. some small, lying
there, and one piece of considerable size
Ellerey and Stefan managed to get on to
the wall of the parapet Immediately over
the door. The maneuver was apparently
unnoticed. for there came no warning shout
to those below.
"Over with it," said Ellerey.
1t did it's work effectually. There were
groans and excavations. and several bullets
struck harmlessly about the stonework
from whence this message had been hurled
but the hammering at the door ceased and
the besegers retired to a safe distance.
We must keep watch from here cap
tain said Stefan. Help me to mount an
other piece upon the wall. 1t can rest
there until they get courageous again and
ask for it to be thrown upon them
Ellerey did SO, and, leaving Stefan there
for the present, returned to the basement
Of the tower.
Go be Continued Tomorrow