Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-19
CHAPTER XVI.
Rebellion.

The servants, heartened by Baron Pet
rescu, contested the stairs step by step
With all the odds against them not one
turned to fly They were fighting for the
mistress they loved, and were stanch to a
man. Some fell, staining the thick carpet
with their blood yet even in dying struck
one more blow as the soldiers trampled over
them. Meeting with such unexpected re-
sistance made the soldiers savage, and
there was no quarter given or asked for. In
the forefront of the battle Petrescus sword
did deadly work, for SO mixed up were be-
sieged and besiegers that those behind
dared not fire. 1t was hand-to-hand
struggle, steel to steel, and although there
could be no real doubt Of the issue, the
baron knew that the longer he could hold
the soldiers in check, the more time would
the princess and the countess have to get
away.
Stefan was silent until the sound of Ell
lerey's quick steps in the garden had
Where does that lead to. countess?" he
said. pointing to door at the other end
Of the room.
ITO my bed ROOM
"And from there?"
"There Is a door on to a landing seldom
used" she answered.
THAT is our way, then" said Stefan.
IT shall stay here. I am safe from them
It is only the king who would dare
1.-THE gentlemen fighting yonder are IN no
tender mood; I know them. Besides. the
captain left me in command and you must
obey, countess. This is war time, and am
only doing my duty. So Wen lock this
outer door, and We'll put as many more be.
tween US possible. Is this your cloakF'
yes" Frina answered.
In a moment Stefan had ripped piece
from the edge of it and stuck 1t in the
creeper at the window and thrown the
cloak into the garden below. Then he tore
down one of the curtains.
lsrvl~z &;,,1r nSxyn W
be. Come, countess. you can get another
cloak as we pass through your room"
There was strength in this great bearded
soldier, and besides. Desmond trusted him,
so Frina Mavrodin obeyed.
At every point the servants were driven
back, and the soldiers spread through the
house. cutting down any one who opposed
them. but not making any particular ef-
fort to pursue those who got out of their
way They were there to take the Princess
Martha and the Countess Mavrodfn. Such
were the orders the officers had received.
But long before the servants had given way
on the stairs, Hannah had opened the door
leading to the passage and the princess and
Dumitru had gone together swiftly, while
Hannah waited for the coming soldiers, her
heart growing the lighter the me longer tn 1sa
door again. but kept the key lest others
should want to use that way of escape
presently The soldiers rushed in at last,
and Hannah's face assumed an astonished
look as if they had reused her from sleep.
who are you?" demanded one man
sharply.
II might as we'll ask that question of
YOU" she replied CURLY. Whats come to
the city that pand of ruffians break into
an old serving woman's room before she's
scarce awaken
do serving women sleep on couches only
in this house, and are they pampered with
leopard skins for covering?'
How they sleep, and what they're COW
cred with is none of your affair." Hannah
said.
"A soft tongue will serve you best re-
piled the man. Tell me who slept on that
couch during the night?'
And how she slept and what she
dreamed about, l suppose. Well, had no
dreams of such rough awakening as this
Other men were turning over the things
in the room. and presently one espied the
door. He called the attention Of the others
to it at once.
open it." they cried.
ITS locked
1.-THE key. woman-quickly." said one who
seemed to command.
ITS likely l shall let you pry into my
cupboards, isn't it?'
This is no cupboard. Give me the key"
81 haven't got it." said Hannah, and with
sudden swing of her arm she sent the key
flying through the open window with I'M
erring aim.
Course you! cried the man.
"In the time you take to find it you may
learn better manners" said Hannah de-
family.
Brave, stanch old soul, full worthy Of that
far-off Devon county which gave her birth.
The man followed his curse with a blow-a
heavy blow, striking with the hand which
held his sword, and the woman fell with a
thud to the ground, to lie there until Stefan
and the countess, stealing from the house
presently. covered the dead serving woman
with the leopard skin.
To find the key was hopeless, and the
door was a stout one. 1t resisted the SOL
diers' efforts for a long while. When at
last it yielded they rushed along the pas
sage to the small house by the river, but,
save for rubbish 1t was empty. No boat
lay upon the water. There was no sign of
the fugitives.
They must have come this way" said
one man. Had not that old beldame re-