Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-03-02


gate, sir"
Did he. my dear" said Sapt, dis
mounting. Then give me the key"
The key was in the child's hand.
Sapt gave her crown.
Here's an order from the king.
Show il TO your father Orderly. open
the gate
| lcup2d down. Between us we rolled
back the great gate. led our horses out
and closed it again.
Il shall be sorry for the dOorkceper
if Michael finds out that he wasn't
there. Now. then. lad, for 4 canter.
We mustn't go too fast while we're
near the town.
Once. however. outside the city we
ran little danger for everybody else
waS inside mcrrymaking, ana aS the
evening fell we Quickencd our pace,
my splCadid horse bounding along I'M
der me as though had been feather
1t waS Il fine night. and presently the
moon appeared We talked little on
the way and chiefly about the progress
we We're making
Il wonder what the dukes dispatches
| told him." said | once
AYE WONDER responded Sapt.
We stopped for draft of wine and
| to bait our horses. losing half an hour
| thus. | dared not 90 into the inn and
| stayed with the horses in the stable.
! Then we went ahead again and had
covered som" five and twenty miles
when Sapt abruptly stopped.
"iIaIk" he cried.
| listened. Away far behind us. in
| the still of the ev1niug-it was Just
half past 9-we heard the beat of
| horses hoofS The wind, blowing
! strong behind u.s. carried the sound. |
| glanced ut Sdpt.
Come on he cried and spurred his
| horse into Il gallop. When we next
! paused 10 listen. the hoof beats We're
not audible and we relaxed our pace.
Then we heard them again. Sapt
| jumped down and laid his ear to the
| ground.
| There are two" he said They're
only Il mile behind. Thank God. the
road curves in AMI out and the winds
our way"
| We galloped on. We seemed to be
holding our own. We had entered the
outskirts of the forest of Zenda. and
the trees. closing in behind us as the
| track ziGged and Jagged. prevented us
seeing our pursuers and them from
, seeing us.
| Another half hour brought us to d.
vide of the road Sapt drew rein.
ITO the right is our road he said
TO left. to the castle. Each about
eight miles. Get down.
"But they'll he on u.s." | cried.
Get down. he repeated brusquely.
and | Obeyed
The wood was dense up to the very
edge of the road. We led our horses
into the covert. bound handkcrchiefs
over their eyes and stood beside them.
You want to see who they are?" |
whispered.
AYE, and where they're going" he
| answered.
/ saw that his revolver was in his
hand.
Nearer and nearer came the h0ofs.
| The moon shone out now clear and full
so that the road was white with it.
The ground was hard, and we had left
no traces
Here they GOMEZ whispered Sapt.
Its the duke
81 thought So he answered.
1t was the duke. and with him a
burly fellow whom | knew we'll and
who had cause to know me afterwari
Max Holt. brother TO Joh9nn. the
''In case said he. and we shook
hands heartily.
Hang your sentiment" growled
Sapt. Come along"
He went. not to the door, but to q
panel in the wall.
''In the old kings time" said he, 81
knew this way WE'LL
followed him. and we walked. as
should estimate near two hundred
yards along Il narrow passage. Then
we came to Il stout oak door. Sapt un
locked it. We passed through anG
found ourselves in Il quiet street thai
ran along the back of the palace gar
dens. \ man was waiting for us witt
two horses. One was IL magnificent
| DdA. uil " weight tllt oliiCI
sturdy brown. Sapt signed to me t
mount the bay. Without a Word t
the man we mounted and rode away
The town was full of noise and merri
ment. but we took secluded ways. NJ!
cloak was wrapped over half my face
the capaclous fiat cap hid every loci
of my telltale hair. BY Sapts direc
: tons erouched on my saddle ant
a rode with such round back as | hop
2 never to exhibit on Il horse again
d Down long, narrow lane we went
n meeting some wanderers and som,
Il roisterers. and as we rode we heart
l. the cathedral bells still Changing on
II their welcome to the king. 1t wa
y half-past g and still light. At last w
): came to the city wall and to gate.
n Have your weapon ready" willis
d pered Sapt I'VE must stop his moutl
d if he talks"
l. l put my hand on my revolver. Sap