The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1909-11-19

echoes Of the. decorations died. away
Nothing was heard but flying foot.
steps. Won Ravenstein wal safe, and
was staggering to awake the palace.
A horrible sickness came over Mar
| riot. He felt as il 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 IN
| 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 a 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. "Von
Ravenstein has got away and will
alarm the palace. It's touch and go,
Michael-its touch and go!"
AS he spoke he was busy with the
paddock of the great steel cage. The
key was in it. 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
n~ificence 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, p~assionately 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 vas here.
Suddenly a great bell high above
their heads-a bell in the central tow
err 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 or
the other side of the garden. A clam
our of voices RAJ heard.
I'VE are done!" Basil cried. 1--WE
are done unless we make n last eff
fort! Michael. comet"
Il cannot" Grant answered. IL an
dead beat! am done!"
mo you are not" Basil said. sum
ming up courage into his voice
Think of the Duchess! Think of tn.
Duchess. She is waiting. Michael
He had hardly said this when tn,
tall figure of the athlete vas beside
him on the stairs up to the battle
ments.
In q second more they were upol
the top, and a dark figure was waiting
for them.
Grant went first, all his fears Of tn
terrible descent gone from him. Will
the little Duke clasped close to hi
body with his left arm, he descended
the swaying. creaking ladder of rope
without q single thought of his peril.
He came to the end. Brawny arm
received him and the child, and h
sank in a dead swoon upon the decl
of the electric launch.
Ito be continued.5