The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1908-01-31

ist before him In full light, Whilst his
own figure appeared only as CARR
Silhouette, elusive and intensely decsp-
tive. wessex. however, seemed to.any
unconscious of the disadvantage OF nls
own position. He was still dressed IN
the rich white satin douolet IN Wnlon
he had appeared at the banquet rev
hours ago. The broad ribbon OF the
Garter, the delicate lace at the throat,
the Jewels which he wore, all wouin
help, in the brilliant light. to GUIDE
his enemy's dagger towards his breast.
But he seemed only impatient 70 pc /.
gin: the issue, one way or the otner,
mattered 10 him not, at all. Inc
Spaniard's death or his own was All
that he desired--perhaps his own now
for choice, He felt less bitter, less
Inundated. since re held his sword IN
his hand. and only vaguely reconected
that Spaniards made boast these
days Of carrying poisoned dassers IN
their belts. s.
CHAPTER XVII.
The Fight.
whilst Don Miguel was preparing for
the fight, a slight sound suddenly
caused him to turn towards that side
of the room from whence tall oaken
door led to his own and the Cardinals
apartments. His eyes, rendered pecur
liarly keen by the imminense OF his
own danger quickly perceived a thin
fillet OF artificial light running np-
wards from the floor, which at once
suggested TO him that the door was
slightly ajar, -
II has certainly been closed when
hind. as Don Miguel well knew, the
Cardinal de Moreno had been watch
ing: he was the great stage manager
of the drama which he had contrived
should be enacted this night before
His Grace. The young Marquis was
only one of the chief actors. the prin-
cipal actress being the wench Mirrab.
who. surfeited with wine, impatient
and violent, had been kept close
prisoner by His Eminence these last
six hours past
That little glimmer of light disrelled
Don Miguei's strange obsession. The
Cardinal with the slight opening OF
that door had plainly meant to indi-
cate that he was on the alert and that
this unrehearsed scene of the drama
would not be enacted without his in
terference. The Duke, who had his
back to that portion Of the room, had
evidently seen and heard nothing, and
the whole little episode had occurred
in less than three seconds.
Now Don Miguel was ready, and the
next moment the swords clashed
against one another. Eye to eye these
two enemies seemed to gauge one an
others strength. For the moment their
daggers held in the left hand only act
ed as weapons of defence, the cloaks
wrapped round their arms were still
efficient sheaths.
Very soon the Spaniard realized that
his original fears had not been exag-
gerated. Wessex was a formidable
opponent, absolutely calm, skilful
fencer. and with wrist which seemed
made of steel. His attack was quick
and vigorous. step by step-slowly but
unerringly-he forced the Marquis
away from the stronghold of his posi-
ton. Try how he might, parry how
he could. the young Spaniard gradual.
| ly found himself thrust more and more
into the full light whilst his antag.
onist was equally steadily working his
| way round towards the more advan.
tageous post.
| No sound came from the Cardinals
| apartments, and Don Miguel dared MOI
even glance towards the door, for this
swiftest look would have proved his
undoing.