Gunnison news-champion., 1909-01-15


stayed with the horsss In the stal,ae.
Thea We went ahead again and had
ecsere, some i've and t~eaty nslrs
when xapt abruptly stocSsed.
'Hsrk- ~ cried.
I listened. Away. far behipd us. In
the still u the evcHins-it was just
half past S-we heard the heat ef
horses' hoofs. The wind. blow inG
strong behind us. carried the sound
glanced at Sapt
Come on he cried and spurred bis
horse into a Gallep. When We next
paused 10 listen. the hoof beats were
not audible, and we relaxed our pace
Then we heard them again. Sapt
jumped down and laid his ear to the
ground
There are two" ke said They're
road curves IN anI ont and the winds
our way"
We galloped on We seemed 10 be
holding our own. We had entered the
outskirts Of the forest OF Zenda. ana
the trees. closing in behind u as the
track zigged and Jagged. prevented Us
seeing our rursuess aud them from
seeing Us.
Another half hour brought us 20 a di
vide of the road. Sapt drew rein.
To the right is our road" he said.
TO left. 10 the castle. Each about
eight miles. Get down"
But they'll be on u.s." I cried.
Get down" be repeated brusquely,
and l oheyed.
The wood was dense mp t. the very
edge of the road. We lei our horses
into the covert, bound D nlkerchiefs
over their eyes and stood beside them.
You want 10 see who they arey' l
whispered
AYE. and where they're going" he
answered
saw that bis revolver was in his
hand.
Nearer and nearer came the hoafs
The moon shone out now clear and full
50 that the road was white with IT,
The ground WIS hard, and we had left
no traces
i Here they come" whispered Sapt
Its the duke.''
Il thought so.' he answered.
1t was the duke. and with him
burly fellow whom | knew well and
who had cause to know me afterward
Max Holt. brother TO Johann. the
keeper. and body servant to his high
ness. They were up to US. The duke
rcined up. ! saw Sapt's finger curl
lovingly toward the trigger | believe
he would have given ten years OF his
life for shot, and he could have pick
ed OF Black Michael as easily rs
could barn door fowl in a farmyard.
] laid my hand on his arm. He nod
ded reassuringly. lie was always
ready to sacrifice inclination TO duty.
(which wayf' asked Black Michael
ITO the castle, your hlghness," urged
his companion. There we shall learn
The truth"
For an instant the duke hesitated.
II thought heard hoofs." said he.
Il think not. your bighness."
why shouldn't we go to the lodge?"
Il fear a trap If all is well. why
60 to the lodge: II not. it's a snare to
trap U.S."
Suddenly the dukes horse neighed.
close round our horses heads and,
holding them thus. covered the duke
and his attendant with our rcvolvers
" they had found us they had been
dead men or our prisoners.
Michael waited a moment longer.
Then be cried:
ITO Zenda them" and, setting spurs
to his horse. galloped on.
sapt raised his weapon after him.
and there was such an expression Of
wistful regret on his face that l had
much ado not 10 burst out laughing
For ten minutes we stayed where we
were.
you see" said Sapt. they've sent
him news that all is WELL
what does that mean?- asked.
God knows" said Sapt. frownlng
heavily. But it's brought him from
Strelsau in rare puzzle"
Then we mounted and rode fast rs
our weary horses could lay their feet
- the ground For those last eight
miles we spoke no more Our minds
were fun Of apprehension. "All is
well" What did it mean? Was all
well with the king:
At last the lodge came in sight. Spur
ring our horses to a last gallop. we
rode up to the gate. All was still and
quiet. Not a soul came to meet US.
We dismounted in haste. Suddenly
Sapt caught me by the arm.
Look here" he said. pointing to the
ground.
hooked down. ~ my feet lay five
o. six six handkerchiefs. torn and
o1ashed and rent tuns1 to him
questioainslx
They're what tied the old woman
up with" said he "Fasten the borres
and csme aDsag"
The hanlle e de dcor turned with
81 resiseaoce. We passed tasD tie