The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-10

1 'Dismount sir. dismount ' cried she, and let your wound be bound up' In spite of all he could say he was com-
 pelled to unhelmet himself. His fair | locks escaped in beauty around his brave young face. The young Countess had to stoop close to him to bind up his wound
 She thought of the wry neck and the
 squint of the man on whom Charles of
 Burgundy wished to bestow her hand
 and she became suddenly even more re-
 solved than she had been before that no tyranny should make her enter such a union.
 As for Quentin, landless, pennless-he looked far too deeply for his future peace of mind into the deep eyes of the Coun- tess Isabelle. From the moment it was
 as if bird were singing exultantly in his
 breast. He rode still straighter in his saddle and inwardly bade defiance to all the enemies in Europe, even though each chould be blessed with the mighty sword , arm of Dunos.
 Soon the cayalcade was in motion again till at spot designated in the Kings scroll. they met the guide who was to attend them the rest of the way He was singular figure, wearing a short Moor ish sword, and Quentin felt sure that he had seen his swarthy face among the gypsies who had been attacked by the provost marshal's men. But he gave the password and other tokens prescribed by Louis, and Quentin, without losing his suspicion. still felt sure that he was the appointed guide.
 He took occasion however to cross-ex- anime the fellow at the first opportunity and learned that his recollection was cor rect. His guide was gypsy, Hayarad- din Maugrabin. The gypsy did not re- sent his interrogators suspicion, but seemed amused by it. "To thee I am bound said he at last, -'by more than my hire. Remember the chestnut treeso The victim whose body thou didst cut down was my brother"
 Hayarraddin's apparent gratitude did not blind Quentin. He watched his guide day and night On the last stage of the journey he was rewarded, for he saw Hayraddin steal to a thcket and man aged to follow him in time to overhear him plotting with one of De la Marcks ruffians to deliver the party into an am buscade on the left bank of the river Macs the next day. Quentin learned more than this. The conversation was such that it led him to feel sure in his mind that the gypsy had been ordered to betray his charge by Louis himself. Forewarned by his lucky discovery, Quentin lost no time in altering his route. He hurried his party forward along the right bank of the river with such good effect that before night he was able to deliver the ladies in the Bishops palace, mile out of Lege.
 He soon found, however, that their dan ger was by no means ended. The ever rebellious burghers of Liege were arm ing again and the Boar of Ardennes, never man to let a coveted prize slip through his fingers did not lose the op- portunity. Before the party had been guests in the Bishops castle week the castle was beleaguered.
 Quentin was awakened by a wild clam or, which, if it had announced a tempest, would have shamed the widest that ever burst down from his wild Gramplan hills.
 He was arming hastily when the gypsy rushed into his room and cried:
 If you would save the Countess fol- low me! Fear not treachery. l will pay my debt of thanhfulness now and then we will be quits!'
 He led the way to a postern gate in the far rear of the palace There Quentin found two women, heavily yelled. He was just about to start when he discov- cred that one was the serving maid while the other was the Countess Hameine. "Wretch' cried he. Where is the Countess Isabelle?''
 Excuse me that little piece of deceit" said the gypsy. "I dared not carry off both the ladies from the Wild Boar of AfQenncS.
 Without a word Quentin turned and re- entered the castle. He saw men dropping from the walls and others being thrown into the meats from the battlements. The assailants were pouring in like angry bees. Bloody men staggered here and there. Bodies lay piled on bodies But awful as was the aspect of the victorious and savage enemy, Quentin Durwards S aspect was more awful still. He ragged through the horror Of the midnight mas sacre like madman till he had forced his way to the turret chamber of the Countess and found her still safe. A lucky adventure on the way had solved for him the problem of how to get Isabelle out of the castle, now that 1t was in the power of the Wild Boar. He had rescued the Syndic of Ilege, who stfed in an armor far too small for his fat body and frightened to death when he beheld the fight into which he mad ventured in moment of boldness which he cursed now with all his heart was hard beset when the Scot saved him.
 You must demand safe conduct from the Boar of Ardennes. said Quentin when the trembling Syndic expressed his undying gratitude, flor yourself as Syn die and for this lady as your daughter
 Hastily they yelled the Countess and Quentin boldly led the way into the great