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

left. and found myself in the outskirts
of the forest at about half past IL.
I tied my horse up in q thick clump
Of trees, leaving the revolver in its
rocket in the saddle-it would be no
use to me-and, ladder in hand, made
my way to the edge of the moat. Here
l unwound my rope from about my
waist bound it securely round the
trunk of a tree on the bank and let
myself down. The castle clock struck
a quarter to 1 as felt the water under
me- and began to swim round the keep,
pushing the ladder before me and hug
cling the castle wall. Thus voyaging,
I came to my old friend, Jacobs lad
der. and felt the ledge of masonry
under me. l crouched down In the
shadow of the great pipe-I tried to
stir it, but it was quite immovable-
and waited. I remember that my pre-
dominant feeling was neither anxiety
for the king nor longing for Flavia,
but an intense desire to smoke, and
this craving, of course, could not
crafty.
The drawbridge was still in its place.
1 saw it's airy, light framework above
me, some ten yards to my right, as
crouched with my back against the
wall of the kings cell. / made out
window two yards my side Of 1t and
nearly on the same level. That, II
Johann spoke true, must belong to the
dukes apartments, and on the other
side, in about the same relative posi-
ton, must be Nine. de Mauban's win
dow. Women are careless, f0rgetful
creatures. l prayed that she might
not forget that she was to be the vic
tim of brutal attempt at 2 o'clock
precisely. l was rather amused at the
part had assigned to my young friend
Rupert Hentzau, but l owed him q
stroke, for even as l sat, my shoulder
ached where he had, with an audacity
that seemed half to hide his treach-
ery, struck at me in sight Of all my
friends on the terrace at Tarlenheim.
Suddenly the dukes window grew
bright. The shutters were not closed,
and the interior became partially visi-
BILE to me as I cautiously raised myself
till / stood on tiptoe. Thus placed, my
range Of sight embraced a yard or
more inside the window, while the ra-
dius of light did not reach me. The
window was flung open, and some one
looked out. 1 marked Antoinette de
Mauban's graceful figure, and, though
her face was in shadow, the fine outline
Of her head was revealed against the
light behind. l lOnged to cry softly,
"Rememberw but dared not, and hap
PLY, for moment later man came
up and stood by her, He tried TO put
his arm round her waist, but with a
swift motion she sprang away and
leaned against the shutter, her profile
toward me- I made out who the new
conner was. 1t was young Rupert. A
low laugh from him made me sure, as
he leaned forward, stretching out his
hand toward her.
Gently, gentlyw murmured.
you're too soon, my boy"
His head was close to hers. sup
pose he whispered to her, for saw her
point to the moat, and heard her say
in slow and distinct tones:
81 had rather throw myself out of
this window"
He came close up to the window and
looked out.
ut looks cold" said he. Come, An
toinette, are you serious?
She made no answer, so far as /
heard, and he, shifting his hand petu-
lantly on the window sill, went on in
the voice of some spoiled child:
"Hang Black Michael! Isn't the
princess enough for him? Is he to
have everything? What the devil do
you see in Black MichaelW
''If l told him what you say she
began.
swell, tell him." said Rupert care
lessly. And, catching her off her
guard, he sprang forward and kissed
her, laughing, and crying, There's
something to tell him!'
If 1 had kept my revolver with me
1 should have been very sorely tempt
ed Being spared the temptation,
merely added this new score to his ac-
count.
Though, faith" said Rupert, ''it's
little he cares. He's mad about the
princess, you know. He talks Of moth
ing but cutting the play actors throat"
Didn't he, indeed?
"And if 1 do it for him, what do you
think he's promised meY
The unhappy woman raised her
hands above her head, in prayer or In
despair.
"But l detest waiting" said Rupert,
and 1 saw that he was about to lay
his hand on her again when there was
a noise of door in the room opening,
and harsh voice cried:
"What are you doing here, sir?
Rupert turned his back to the win
dow, bowed low and said in his loud,
merry tones:
"Apologizing for your absence, sir.
Could l leave the lady aloncf"
The newcomer must be Black MI
chael. l saw him directly as he ad-
yanced toward the window. He caught
young Rupert by the arm.
'1rhe moat would hold more than the
king" said he, with a significant ges.
ture.
"Doer your highness threaten meY
asked Rupert.
"a threat is more warning than most
men get from me-"
"Yet," observed Rupert. Rudolf Ras-
sendyll has been much threatened and
vet lives" q