The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1907-04-16
CHApTER xyIII.

TgVSNFM Die 10 ln0ugnr, Vet TOT the
49, next moment or two thought
profoundly, had, told myself. scor-
ed one point. Be Rupert Hentzau's
errand what 1t might and the villainy
he was engaged on what it would, /
had scored one point. He was on the
other side of the moat from the king,
and II would be by no fault Of mine II
ever he set foot on the same side
again. had three left to deal with
two on guard and De Gautet in his
bed. All, il / had the keys! ! would
have risked everything and attacked
Detchard and Bersonin before their
friends could join them. But was
powerless. l must wait till the COM
ing of my friends enticed some one
to cross the bridge-some one with the
keys. And I waited, as it seemed, for
half an hour, really for about five min
utes, before the next act in the rapid
drama began.
All was still on the other side. The
dukes room remained inscrutable be-
hind its shutters. The light burned
steadily in Nine. de Mauban's window.
Then heard the faintest, faintest,
sound. 1t came from behind the door
which led TO the drawbridge on the
other side of the moat. 1t but just
reached my ear. yet could not be mis-
taken as to what ii was. II was made
by a key being turned very carefully
and slowly. Who was turning 1t? And
OF what room was 1t the key? There
leaped before my eyes the picture g
young Rupert, with the key in one
hand. his sword in tie other and an
i smile on his face. But did not
NOW what door it was nor In which of
his favorite pursuits young Rupert was
spending the hours OF that night.
was soon TO be enlightened. for the
next moment-before my friends could
be near the chateau door-before Jo-
ham, the keeper, would have thought
to nerve himself for his task-there
was a sudden crash from the room
with the lighted window. 1t sounded
as though some one had flung down q
lamp, and tie window went dark and
black. At the same instant cry rang
out, shriIl in the night: Help. help!
Michael. helpT' and was followed by
, a shrek Of utter terror.
/ was tingllng in every nerve.
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
3 There was dark corner on the oppo'
site side where a man could stand.
D darted across and stood there. Thus
/ placed / commanded the path, and nc
D man could pass between the chateau
h and the old castle till he had tried con
e illusions with me.
There was another shrek. Then q
!. door was flung open and changed
against the wall and heard the han
e die OF a door sayage!y twisted.
+ "open the door! In Gods name
$ what's the matterT' cried voice. tbs
voice Of Black Michael himself.
/. He was answered by the very wordi
had written In my letter:
d Help. Miehael-HentZau.'
a A fierce oath rang out from the duke
z and, with a loud thud, he threw him
{ SELF against the door. At the same mo
Q. ment heard a window above my hea'
d open, and a voice cried. What's tn
Ig matterf' and I heard a mans hast.
p. footsteps. I grasped my sword. II ID
"a Gautet came my way the Six would b
Il less by one more.
lie Then I heard the clash Of crosse
swords and a tramp OF feet. and
y cannot tell the thing 80 quickly as
happened, for all seemed to come a
o once. There was an angry cry frof
ye madam's room. the cry Of a wounde
II. man. The window was flung opel
/ Young Rupert stood there, sword
d. hand. lie turned his back. and sa'
Cd his body 70 forward 60 the lungc.
~ "Ah. Johann, there's one for yoI
~ Come on. Michael"
by Johann was there. then-come to Il
n. rescue Of the duke! How would ]
-. open the door for me. for feared thi
a Rupert had slain him?
10. "Help.' cried the dukes voice, fail
Id and husky.
at heard a stir on tho stairs above m
mt and heard n stir down 10 my rig
m IN the direction Of the kings cell. III
ne before anything happened on my sl'
iu' Of Che moat / saw Eve or SIX mi
ga round young Rupert IN The embrasu
'at Of madam's window. Three or 10
as times be lunged with incomparal
~ dash aud dexterity. For an insta
they fell bnck. leaving n ring rouI
-. him. lie leaped on the parapct ~ Z
~ window, laughing ~ be leaped. nj
AZ waving his sword In bis land. lie "
- drunk with blood, and he laugh
~ again wildly as be flung himself hen
o. long into the moat.
what became of him thenf ] .
,o not see. for as be ieaped DE Gaute
81. lean face looked out through the Dc
IA By me. and without seconds hest
/, ton I struck at him with all
,or. strength God had given me. and
fell degd IN ilIc doorway Without
ss.gsrH ~ a yswuan I dssutypJ on