Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-03-23

~ lOR a moment I could see noth- ing, for the glare of lanterns
 and torches caught me full in
 the eyes from the other side of the bridge. But soon the scene grew clear. and it was a strange scene. The bridge was in its place At the far end of it stood a group of the dukes serv- ants. Two or three carried the lights which had dazzled me; three or four held bikes in rest They were huddled together; their weapons were protrud- cd before them: their faces were pale and agitated. To put it plainly. they looked in as arrant fright as have hensiyely at 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 I 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 I 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 was there. did nothing-why, hardly know to this day. I had kill ed one man stealthily that night and another by luck rather than skill--per- haps it was that. Again. villain as the man was, did not relish being one of a crowd against him-perhaps 1t 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 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 dead"'
 'Dead." shouted Rupert. q struck better than I knew" And he laughed triumphantly. Then he went on: Down with your weapons there! I'm your master now. Down with them, I sayr
 I believe they would have obeyed, but as he spoke came new things. First there arose a distant sound. as of shouts and inockings from the 0th- CT side of the chateau. My heart leap- ed. It must be my men. come by a happy disobedience to seek me. The noise continued, but none of the rest seemed to heed 1t. 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 q loose white robe. her dark hair streamed over her shoulders, her face was ghastly pale. and her eyes gleamed wildly in the light of the 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. had your eyes been no more deadly than your shooting I 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 calmed 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. chancing the bullet. or re- treat toward me. I covered him with my weapon
 He did neither. Before snc had got her aim he bowed in his most graceful fashion. cried. Il can't kill where I've kissed" and before she or I could stop him laid his hand on the parapet of the bridge and lightly leapei into the moat.
 At the very moment I heard a rush of feet and a voice I knew-Sapt's- cry. God. it's the duke-dead.' Then 1 knew that the king needed me no more. and. throwing down my revolv- CT. I sprang out on the bridge. There was a cry of wild wonder. The king and then I. like Rupert Hen;zau. sword in hand. vaulted over the parapet. in- tent on finishing my quarrel with him where I saw his curly head fifteen yards of in the water of the moat.
 He swan swiftly and easily. was weary and half crippled with my wounded arm. I could not gain on him. For a time I 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 swam on. He was under the bank now. searching. as I guessed. for spot that he could climb I knew there 10 be none. but there was my rope. which would still be hanging where I had left it. He would come to where it was before [ c1uld Perhaps he would miss t. -y,-r- b< -r.,-rd S,nI ss auN if ha