The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-02-03

(Continuea.}
 There was not second to be lost. Mirrab. realizing her danger. was so- bered and alert. The next moment she was clinging to the window sill and measuring its height from the ter- race below. It was but few feet. As agile as a cat she flung herself over, and disappeared into the gloom just as the door leading into the Audience Chamber was thrown violently open. and a group of people. gentlemen. guards, servitors bearing torches came rushing into the room
 ssWaterl .. . leech!-quick, some of you!" commanded Wessex, who held Don Migusrs head propped against his knee.
 What is it? ;" queried everyone with unanimous breath.
 Some pressed forward, snatching the flaming torchs from the hands of the servitors. In moment Wessex and the dead Marquis were surrounded and the room was flooded with weird. aaickerang light
 From the door of the apartments on fhe left suave and urbane voice had sounded softly:
 What is tt?'
 The Spanish Marquis" murmured the foremost man Tn Ire crowd.
 sswounded!' queriedv another.
 "Nayi fear me dead" said Wessex quietly.
 Then the groups parted instinetivs- ly, for the same urbane voice had re- peated it's query in tones of the grav- est anxiety.
 T was at prayers and heard this noise What is itf' Tho Cardinal de Moreno now stood beside the dead body of his friend
 "Your Gracel and2 ." 7 aAIas. your Eminencse' replied wss- sex, "Don Miguel de Suarez is dead.
 The Cardinal made no comment, and the next moment was seen to stoop and pick up something from the ground.
 'sBut hOwr' querisd one of the gen. tlemen.
 "A duel?'' added another.
 "No. not duel, seemingly" said HIS Eminence softly. ''Don Miguel's sword and dagger are both sheathed."
 He turned to the Captain of the Guard who was standing close beside him.
 .swifl this dagger explain the mys- tery, think you, my .song' he asked handing a small weapon to the soldier T picked 1t up just now" -
 The Guard-he was but young man .-tooIx the dagger from his Eminence's hand. and looked at 1t attenttvely :; Those who were nearest to him noticed that he suddenly started and that the hand which held the narrow, pointed blade trembIed visibly.
 ssYour Grace's daggerg ho said al last, handing the weapon to Wessex.
 +It has your Graces' arms upon the hilt."
 Dead silence followed theso simple words The Duke seemed half -dazed and mechanically took the dagger from the Captains hand; the blade still bore on 1t the marks of Don Miguers blood
 'Yes! it is my dagger" he murmured mechanically.
 sBut no doubt your Grace can ex- plain :" suggested His Eminence andulgently
 Wessex was about to reply when one of the guard suddenly interposed.
 "I seemed to see a woman flying through the gardens just now. Cap tain he said, addressing his officer.
 "A womanf'' asked His Eminence "what woman?"
 May, my lord, couldn't see distinct. ly." replied the soldier, "but she wal dressed all in white and ran very quickly along the terrace not far from this window"
 "Then your Grace will perhaps bC able to tell us ." suggested thS Cardinal with utmost benevolence.
 ''I can tell your Eminence nothing replied Wessex coldly. T was in this room all the time and saw no woman near"
 "Your Grace was here?" said Hi' Eninence in gentle tones of profound astonishment, '"alone with Don Migue de Suarez? I. The woman? -"
 There was no woman here" re1oin'