Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1907-08-02

stood on the topmost step, clinging to
the threshold Of the gate with my
right hand and holding my, Sword IN
my left. Suddenly perceived that the
gateway was broader than the bridge.
There was q dark corner on the oppo-
site side where man could stand. l
darted across and stood there. Thus
placed commanded the path, and no
man could pass between the chateau
and the old castle till he had tried con-
illusions with me.
There was another shrek. Then
door was flung open and changed
against the wall, and heard the ham
die Of a door savagely twisted.
open the door! In Gods name,
what's the matterT cried voice, the
voice Of Black Michael himself.
He was answered by the very words
/ had written in my letter:
"Help, Michael-Hentzau"
A fierce oath rang out from the duke,
and, with loud thud, he threw him.
self against the door. At the same mo-
ment I heard a window above my head
open, and a voice cried, whats the
matter?' and 1 heard a mans hasty
footsteps. / grasped my sword. II De
Gautet came my way the Six would be
less by one more.
Then l heard the clash Of crossed
swords and tramp Of feet, and-l
cannot tell the thing SO quickly as 1t
happened, for all seemed to come at
once. There was an angry cry from
madam's room, the cry Of wounded
man. The window was flung open.
Young Rupert stood there, sword In
hand. He turned his back, and / saw
his body go forward to the lunge.
"Ah, Johann, there's one for you!
Come on, Michael!"
Johann was there; then-come to the.
rescue of the duke How would he
open the door for me, for I feared that
Rupert had slain him?
"Helpr' cried the dukes voice, faint
and husky.
heard a stir on the stairs above me,
and 1 heard a stir down to my right
in the direction of the kings cell. But
before anything happened on my side
of the moat / saw FIVE or six men
round young Rupert in the embrasure
of madam's window. Three or four
times he lunged with Incompatible
dash and dexterlty. For an instant
they fell back, leaving ring round
him. He leaped on the parapet OF the
window, laughing as he leaped, and
waving his sword in his hand. He was
drunk with blood, and he laughed
again wildly as he flung himself head
long into the m0at.
What became of him then? / did
not see, for as he leaped De Gautets
lean face looked out through the door
by me, and without seconds hesita-
ton / struck at him with all the
strength God had given me, and he
fell dead In the doorway without a
word or q groan. dropped on my
knees by him. Where were the keys?
found myself muttering, "The keys,
man. the keysw as though he had been
yet alive and could listen, and when
could not find them I-God forgive me!
Il believe l struck dead mans face
At last had them. There were but
three. Selling the largest, l felt the
lock of the door that led to the CELL
I fitted in the key. 1t was right. The
lock turned. drew the door close
behind me and locked it as noiselessly
as l could putting the key In my
pocket.
/ found myself at the top Of a flight
of steep stone stairs. An oil lamp
burned dimly in the bracket. / took
It down and held it in my hand, and l
stood and listened.
what in the devil can it be| l
heard voice say.
1t came from behind door that fac
ed me at the bottom of the stairs.
And another answered:
"Shall we kill him"
1 strained to hear the answer and
could have sobbed with relief when
Detchard's voice came grating and
cold:
'Wait bit. There'll be trouble II
we strike too soon.'
There was moments silence. Then
heard the bolt of the door cautiously
drawn back. Instantly I put out the
light L held, replacing the lamp In the
bracket.
"It's dark - the lamps out. Have
you light" said the other voice-Bcr-
soniD's.