Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-05-04

We must FORCE the game.
$50 be it" be said. with a sigh.
To cut the story short, at half-past
IL that night Sspt and mounted our
horses. Fritz was again left on guard,
our destination not being revealed to
him. II was a very dark night I
wore no sword, but carried revolv-
er. a long knife and a bullseye Lam
tern. We arrived outside the gate. I
dirmounted- Sapt held out his hand.
CT shall wait hore," he said. eff I
hear a shot, TlP'-
Stay where You are. It's the kings
only chance. You mustn't come TO
GRIEF TOO"
you're right. lad. Good luck"
I pressed the little gate. 1t yielded,
and I found myself In a Wild sort OF
shrubbOry. There was a grass grown
path, and. turning TO the right as
had been hidden. I followed II eau
tiOusly. My lantern was closed. the
revolver was In my hand. I heard not
sound Presently a large dark OBJ
3ect doomed out OF the gloom ahead Of
me. II was the summer house. Reach.
Ing the steps. I mounted them and
found myself confronted by a weak.
rickety wooden door which hung upon
the latch. I pushed Il open and walk
Cd In. A woman flew 20 me and seized
my hand
"Shut the door," she whispered.
I 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
bare little room. furnished only with
a couple OF chairs and 2 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, I know you. Ar. Ras-
sendyl. ] wrote that letter at the
dukes orders"
so I thought" saldI.
an twenty minutes three men will
be here TO Kill YOU"
"Three-the thrcag"
ayes. You must be gone by then.
II not tonight you'u be killed.
cor they win."
"Listcn, listen. when you're killed
your body VIII bc taken TO a low quar-.
ter OF the town. IL Will be found
there. Michael win at once arrest all
your friends-Colouel Sapt and Cap
tain Won Tarlcnheim frst-proclalm a
state or siege On Strelsau and send q
messenger % Zenda. The other three
Will murder the king in the castle. and
the duke VIII proclaim either himself
or the priucess-himsel 10 lie Is strong
enough. Anyhow. he'll marry her and
become kinr in fact aud soon I'm name.
DO YOU scct"
"Irs a pretty plot But why, ma
dame. DO you
"Say I'm Christian-or say I'm
Jealous. NY God. shall see him mar.
~ here Now go. but rcmember-thls
IS what 7 have TO tell you-that never
10y night or by day are you safe. Three
men follow YOU as q guard. Is e not
sot Well. three follow them. Nlchacrs
three are never 200 yards from you.
Your lie SIS not worth q moment n
ever they find YOU alone. Now go.
Stoy-thc cate VIII be guarded 10y now.
Go down softly, 90 past tho summer
house. ON lor hundred yards. and
you'll end 90 ladder against the wall.
Get over Is and ny for your lie"
"Aul yoUt' / asked.
81 have my game 90 play too. II he
finds ont what l have done. we shall
not meet again. III not. may yet
but never mind. Go at once"
"But what VIII you ten HING"
"Ihat you never camc-that you saw
through the trick"
1 took her hand and kissed lt.
Madame" said 7. ''you have served
the king well tonight Where is he In
the castleg"
She sank her voice 20 q fearful whls
per. / listened eagerly.
Across the drawbridge You come to
a heavy door Behind that lles-harkl
What's thatgr
There were steps outside.
They're comiugl They're too soon!
Heavens. they're too soonw And she
turned pale as death.
"Ihey seem 10 me-" said I, ito be In
the nick OF time"
CLOSE your lantern. Sec. there's a
ohink In the door. Can You see them3"
] put my eye 20 the chlnk on the
lowest step saw three dim figures. 1
cooked my revolver. Antolnette hastI.
ly laid her hand on mine.
'Iou may Kin one" said she, but
what thcnt'
\ voice came from Outside-a voice
that spoke perfect English.
"AIr. Rassendyll" 1t said.
made no answer.
'We want 70 talk 70 you. VIII YOU
/ promise not 20 shoot till we've done?"
Have l the pleasure OF addressing
Mr.. DetchardF" I said.
, "Never mind names"
"Then let mine alone"
"All right. sire. I've an offer for you. -
sull had my eye TO the chink. The
three had mounted two steps more.
Three revolvers pointed full at the
door
''Wil you let us IN? We pledge our
honor 10 observe the truce"
Don't trust them" whispered An
.olnette.
I'VE can sneak through the door -