Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1907-06-28


"We're playing against time" I add
ed every day we leave the king
where he is there is fresh risk. Every
day l masquerade like this there is
fresh risk. Sapt, we must play high.
We must force the game"
$50 be it" he said, with a sigh.
To cut the story short, at half-past
II that night Sapt and l mounted our
horses. Fritz was again left on guard,
our destination not being revealed to
him. 1t was a very dark night l
wore no sword, but I carried revolv-
err, a long knife and a bullseye lam
| tern. We arrived outside the gate. /
dismounted. Sapt held out his hand.
81 shall wait here" he said. IF 1
hear a shot, PIP
"Stay where you are. It's the kings
| only chance. You mustn't come to
grief too"
you're right lad. Good luck"
pressed the little gate. 1t yielded,
and found myself in wild sort of
shrubbery. There was a grass grown
path, and, turning to the right as l
had been hidden, 1 followed 1t eau
tiously. My lantern was closed, the
revolver was in my hand. l heard not
sound. Presently large dark OBJ
| ject doomed out of the gloom ahead OF
me. 1t was the summer house. Reach
lingsft the steps. l mounted them and
found myself confronted by a weak,
rickety wooden door which hung upon
the latch. / pushed it open and walk
ed in. A woman flew to me and seized
my hand.
"Shut the door," she whispered.
l obeyed and turned the light Of my
lantern on her. She was in evening
dress, arrayed very sumptuously, and
her dark striking beauty was marvel
ously displayed in the glare of the
bullseye. The summer house was a
I bare little room, furnished only with
couple of chairs and small iron
table. such as one sees in a tea garden
or an open air cafe.
Don't talk" she said. We've no
time. Listen! l know you, Mr.. Ras-
sendyll. I wrote that letter at the
dukes orders"
$50 l thought" said l.
'In twenty minutes three men will
be here to kill you"
"Three-the three?"
eyes. You must be gone by then.
If not tonight you'll be killed.
"Or they will
Listen, listen! When you're killed
your body will be taken to a low quar-
Ter of the town. 1t will be found
there. Michael will at once arrest all
your friends-C Colonel Sapt and Cap
tain Won Tarlenhem first-proclaim q
state of siege in Strelsau and send a
messengercto Zenda. The other three
will murder the king in the castle, and
the duke will proclaim either himself
or the princess-himself if he is strong
enough Anyhow, he'll marry her and
/ become king in fact and soon in name.
Do you see?"
"It's a pretty plot But why, ma
dame, do YOU
s'Say I'm a Christian-Or say I'm
Jealous. Ny God, shall 1 see him mar
~ her? Now go, but remember-this
is what I have to tell you-that never
by night or by day are you safe. Three
men follow you as guard. Is 1t not
500 Well, three follow them. MichaePs
three are never 200 yards from you.
Your life is not worth moment If
ever they find you alone. Now go.
Stay-the gate will be guarded by now.
Go down softly, go past the summer
house, on for q hundred yards, and
you'll find a ladder against the wall.
Get over it and fly for your life."
Sand your" l asked.
81 have my game to play too. If he
finds out what 1 have done, we shall
not meet again. If not, l may yet
but never mind. Go at once"
'"But what will you tell him?"
''That you never came-that you saw
through the trick"
| L took her hand and kissed 1t.
''Madame," said 1, you have served
the King well tonight. Where is he in
the castleY
She sank her voice to fearful whis-
per. listened eagerly.
across the drawbridge you come to
heavy door. Behind that lies-hark!
! What's that?'
There were steps outside
They're coming! They're too soon!
Heavens, they're too soon" And she
turned pale as death.
,''They seem to me-" said 1, ito be In
! the nick Of time"
"Close your lantern. See, there's a
chink in the door. Can you see themF
1 put my eye to the chink. On the
lowest step 1 saw three dim figures. l
cooked my revolver. Antoinette hasti-
ly laid her hand on mine.
."You may kill one,' said she, "but
what then?'
A voice came from outside-a voice
that spoke perfect English
"Mr. Rassendyll," it said.
/ made no answer,
"We want to talk to you. Will you
promise not to shoot till we've done"
"Have I the pleasure Of addressing
Mr.. DetchardY / said..
"Never mind names"
"Then let mine alone"
GAIL right, SIRE I've an offer for you"
still had my eye to the chink. The
three had mounted two steps more.
Three revolvers pointed full at the
door. -: -
"Will you let us In? We pledge our
honor to observe the truce"