The San Francisco call., 1908-04-26


Uniform In consideration OF what he
had taken. Zeno left the man his wallet
with the piece OF gold and anything else
il might contain. and after carefully re-
moving a few visps OF straw that ckung
to his clothes he went toward the door
of the stable
His plan was TO saunter 70 the gate
and 1oiter there till a chance offered OF
opening the small night postern IN the
great door. which he had noticed In
passing the palace when the gates were
open. The fact OF his being sober when
almost every one else was more OF less
intoxicated would give him great ad-
vantage
But as he turned from the sleeper and
walked along the line from the empty
stall. which was the last. his eye fell
on the saddles and brides, neatly ar
ranged on stout pegs that pro1ected
from the walls. each set opposite the
stall of the horse to which it belonged.
He peered out into the wide court. and
listened for the sound OF voices.
All was very quiet outside. zsno
changed his plan. turned back into the
stable and began TO saddle the horse
farthest from the door. He did not
mean to ride far else he would have
picked out his mount with all the 5udg-
ment he possessed There was but .
dash to make. and IL was far more I'm
see him in the act OF putting on saddle
and bridle than that he should have the
best horse under him afterward
When he had finished be led tho
charger past the other stalls, stopping
just before he reached the door TO put
out the oil lamp that hung by the en-
trance. This done. he slipped his arm
through the bride and left the stable
He struck across the deserted court
toward the palace. until he was almost
in the middle OF the yard, and opposite
the great gate. toward which he looked
steadily for some seconds. trying TO
make out. BY the uncertain light that
dimly Illuminated Il from within.
whether the doors under the arch were
open or shut There was Just a posi-
bilfty that they might be open It was
worth trying for; and. after all. II they
were barred, he was sure he could In
pose upon the sentinels to open them.
A man accustomed TO command dees
not doubt that he must be obeysd when
he asserts himself
Zeno mounted the big horse. put him
from a walk TO a canter. and from a
canter 20 a laundering gallop thar
reused echoes all round the court
As he came near he saw that the
doors were shut. but he did not slacken
speed till he was almost upon the
startled sentinels. Then he drew rein
suddenly. as was the practice OF horse
manship IN those days. and the great
Tunisian threw himself back on his
launches with outstretched forsfeer.
while Zeno called out TO the watch
-On the emperor's service!" he shout
ed. The gates. and quickly.
The sentinels were toierably sober.
for they were not to get their full
share OF the food OF wine that was
flowing till their guard was relieved
Rrrf IT, -. - e.
obeying Zeno's Imperative command. It
was not likely that a guardsman OF
their troop who wished to slip out OF
barracks for a nights amusement
would dress himself in fall uniform
and come gallOping and shouting 10
the gate. nor that any trooper would
dare 70 pretend that he rods on the
emperor's business II IL were not true
The two sentinels- therefore. did not
hesitate. but set their long cavalry
lances upright against the walls on
either side, took down the bar and laid
hold OF the pOndsrous gates. each man
taking one and throwing himself back
ward with all his weight TO move IT
When once started the doors swung
slowly but easily backward Zeno sat
motionless in the saddle ready TO dash
forward as soon as there was room for
him 10 pass He had halted just far
enough away 10 allow the doors to
were pulled inward It was an anxious
moment
A second more and there would be
space between the yawning gates But
that second had not yet passed when
tall officer in scarlet rushed shouting
frona the open door OF the guardhouss
and seized Zenofs bride
stop himr' yelled the neutenanE
shut the gates,'
The two soldiers did their best 70
obey instantly. but leaves OF the gate
were OF cypress wood four inches thick
and covered with bronze and were
swinging back faster now under the
impulse they had received II was
impossible to check them suddenly. and
the order was hardly spoken when Zeno
saw that there was room 70 ride
through
- He would have given bis fortune for
a pair OF Arab spurs at that moment.
but he struck the corners OF bis heels
at the horses sides with all his might
and almost lifted him by the bride at
the same time. The big Tunisian an
swered the call upon his strength bet-
! ter than the rider had dared to hOpes
I he gathered himself and lifted his fore
quarters. shaking his head savagsly TO
get rid OF the hands that grasped ths
OF rein close to the BIT. and then he
dashed forward. straight between the
doors. throwing the officer TO tho
ground and dragging him violently
away In the powerful stride OF his
heavy gallop-
! Seeing what had happened the san
,, tinels started in pursuit at fun speed.
following the sound OF the chargers
shoes on the eobblestones rather than
anything they could see. for It was
as dark as pitch outside.
The officer. who was very activs and
seemed indifferent TO the frightful risk
he ran. still clung TO the bride. re-
gained his feet ran nimbly by the side
OF the galloping horse and seemed
about TO spring up and close with Zeno
to drag him from the saddle zeno
5 had no weapon within reach now for
! his knife was in his own belt under
the belted tunic he wore over his
q clothes. and he could not possibly get
: at IT, But the officer was unarmed. too.
5 as he had sprung from his couch and
\ was at a great disadvantage on foot
They dashed on into the darkness OF
n the broad street ZenO bent down and
Q tried 10 get at his adversary's collar
with his right hand but the offcer
}. lodged him and jerked the bridle with
: dasne-ate energy. bringing the Iuni-