The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1909-11-18

echoes of the ~detonations 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 If all the pith in his
bones had suddenly melted, as IL great
waters were surging and yelling up
around him. For a moment he felt as
he had felt when he was struck on
the back OF the head in P~iccadilly
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 a drunken man.
He rushed at his friend, He took
hold of one ear and twisted 1t 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
R~avenstein has got away and will
alarm the palace. It's touch and 60.
Michael-it's touch and goi"
AS he spoke he was busy with the
paddock of the great steel cage. The
key was in 1t. There was a 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.
1--WE 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 a moment. Basil was halfway
up, Grant was a 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 1t was all right now,
and hat 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
biit oiiSi DiuC vi lhc 6oluSh. ~ Sldlu-
our of voices was heard.
1--WE are donei" Basil cried. 1--WE
are done unless we make one last eff
fort! Michael. comet"
II cannot" Grant answered. Il am
dead beat! I am done!"
mo 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
him on the stairs up to the battle
ments.
In a second more they we're upon
the top. and a dark figure was waiting
for them.
Grant went first, all his fears Of the
terrible descent gone from him. With
the little Duke clasped close to his
body with his left arm. he descended
the swaying. creaking ladder of rope,
without a single thought of his peril.
He came to the end, Brawny arms
received him and the child, and ne
sank in a dead swoon upon the deck
of the electric launch.
lTn he continued