Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1909-11-18

echoes of the decorations died away.
Nothing was heard but flying foot
steps. Won Ravenstein was safe, and
was staggering to awake the palace.
A horrible sickness came over Mar
riott. He felt as ifaall the pith in his
bones had suddenly melted, as If great
waters were surging and yelling up
around him. For moment he felt as
he had felt when he was struck on
the back of the head in Piccadilly
upon the night of the little Dukes
abduction.
But he called all his forces back
with the last nervous force that was
left him. He wrenched himself from
the darkness and Inconsistencies.
Something in his training came to him
now, as he saw Michael Grant rising
from the ground, and with his hand
before his eyes like drunken man.
He rushed at his friend He took
hold of one ear and twisted it with
cruel, ruthless fingers. The fierce pain
revived the athlete. Consciousness
came back to his eyes. He looked
hurriedly round the room.
What is it?" he said. What is it?
OH" &
With the exclamation Michael seem
ed to gather in everything.
Quick! quick!" Basil cried. won
Ravenstein has got away and will
alarm the palace. It's touch and go,
Michael-it's touch and go!"
AS he spoke he was busy with the
paddock Of the great steel cage. The
key was in it. There was click as
he unlocked it and dashed at the lit
tie. distorted form, sitting and wailing
upon the floor.
He caught up the Duke and gave
him to Grant.
Follow me, Michael" he cried.
I'VE have a last chance" and, with
his revolver in his hand, he rushed
out of the chamber, across the great
Throne Room. and into the reception
hall which opened upon the terrace. +
The crimson figure of the Princess
in her diamonds and red velvet lay
insensible upon the floor.
The tall figure of the athlete clutch
ed at his burden and followed the
sailor with swift pad, pad of his india
rubber shoes through the empty mag
nificence of the palace rooms.
They came. out upon the terrace,
stumbled down the stairway, ran
across the lawn of the rose garden,
and gained the steps leading up to
the wall AT the foot of the steps
| the strength Of both Of them failed
for moment. Basil was halfway
up, Grant was little below among
| the flowers, passionately kissing the
face of the little Duke, whispering in
a voice he could not have recognized
as his. own that it was all right now,
and that Uncle Michael was here.
Suddenly a great bell high above
their heads-a bell in the central tow
er of the palace-began to toll and
beat with extraordinary and sinister
| power.
| The brazen strokes rang out into
| the dark hot night, and lights leapt
UP, suddenly in all the windows on
the, other side Of the garden. A clam
our of voices was heard
We are done!" Basil cried. 1--WE
are done unless we make one last eff
1 fort! Michael, come"
Il cannot" Grant answered. II am
dead beat! am done!"
No you are not" Basil said. sum.
ming up courage into his voice.
Think of the Duchess! Think of the
Duchess! She is waiting, Michael!'
| He had hardly said this when the
tall figure Of the athlete was beside
j him on the stairs up to the battle.
ments.
i In second more they were upon
the top, and dark figure was waiting
A for them.
\ Grant went first, all his fears of the
slsterrible descent gone from him. With
the little Duke clasped close to his
body with his left arm, he descended
the sWaying,4 creaking ladder of rope
without single thought of his peril.
4 He came to the end. Brawny arms
received him and the child, and he
sank in a dead swoon upon the deck
of the electric launch.
i ITO be continued.]