Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-03-21

more .n the affair. But the duke would not, and. held him there prisoner, tell ing him his life was safe if the king lived while the duke desired and died when the duke desired-not otherwise. And, persuaded by the physician, they had allowed Mime. de Mauban to visit the king and give him such attendance as his state needed and as only wom-, an can give. Yet his life hung in the balance, and I was yet strong and, whole and free Wherefore great gloom reigned at Zenda, and, save when they quarreled, to which they were very prone, they hardly spoke. But the deeper the depression of the rest. young Rupert went about Satan's work with smile in his eye and a song on his lip, and laughed ''fit to burst (said Johann) because the duke always set Detchard to guard the king when Mime. de Mauban was in the cell-which pre- caution was. indeed, not unwise in my careful brother Thus Johann told his tale and seized his crowns. Yet he be- sought us to allow him to stay with us in Tarlenheim, and not venture his head again in the lions den, but we had need of him there, and, although l refused to constrain him. I prevailed on him by increased rewards to go back and to carry tidings to Mme. de Mau- ban that I was working for her and that, if she could, she should speak one word of comfort to the king, for. while suspense is bad for the sick, yet de- spair is worse still. and it might be that the king lay dying of mere hope lessncss, for I could learn of no def nite disease that afflicted him.
 And how do they guard the king now?" I asked, remembering that two of the Six were dead and Max Holf also.
 "Detchard and Bersonin watch by night. Rupert Hentzau and Gautet by day. sir" he answered.
 "Only two at a time?"
 Aye, sir, but the others rest in a room just above and are within sound of cry or whistle"
 "A room just above? I didn't know of that Is there any communication between it and the room where they watchT'
 "No, sir. You must go down a few stairs and through the door by the drawbridge, and so to where the king is lodged"
 And that door is locked:"
 "Only the four lords have keys. sir"
 drew nearer to him.
 And have they keys Of the grat- | ing?" asked in low whisper.
 "I think, sir, only Detchard and Ru- pert" "Where does the duke lodge?' Tn the chateau on the first floor. His apartments are on the right as you go toward the drawbridge."
 And Mime. de Mauban"
 Just opposite on the left. But her door is locked after she has entered"
 "To keep her in?'
 Doubtless. sir"
 And the duke, I suppose, has the key?' z.
 Yes. And the drawbridge is drawn back at night, and of that. too. the duke holds the key, so that it cannot be run across the moat without appli. cation to him.
 And where do you sleep:'
 Tn the entrance hall of the chateau, with five servants"
 Armed"
 They have bikes. sir. but no fire arms. The duke will not trust them with firearms"
 Then at last took the matter boldly in my hands. I had failed once at Jacobs ladder: l should fail again there. must make the attack from the other side
 T have promised you twenty tEou- sand crowns" said l. You shall have fifty thousand if you will do what I ask of you tomorrow night But. first. do those servants know who your pris- oner is:"
 "No. sir. They believe him to be some private enemy of the dukes"
 And they would not uoupt that am the king;"
 How should they:" he asked.
 Look to this. then. Tomorrow at in the morning exactly fling open the front door of the chateau. Don't fail by an instant"
 Shall you be there. sir"
 Ask no questions. Do what tell you. Say the hall is close or what you will. That Is all I ask of you" And may | escape by the door. sir. when have opened it:" Yes. quick as your legs will carry you. One thing more. Carry this note to madame-oh. it's in French: you ! can't read it-and charge her. for the sake of all our lives. not to fail in wha, it orders
 The man was trembling. hut had to |. trust to what he had of courage and to what he had of honesty. I dared not wait. for I feared that the king would die.
 When the fellow was gone. called Sapt and Fritz to me and unfOlded the plan that had formed. Sapt shook his head over it. Why can't you waltz he asked The king may die" Michael will be forced to act before that
 Then said I. '-tbe king may live"
 Well. and if he doesT'
 "FOr a fortnieBt:- I asked simply. And Sapt hit his mustache. Suddenly Fritz von Tsrlelbeim laid