Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-06-02

1 did not Know the city well, and to
my dismay l soon discovered that I
| had travelled in circle. Suddenly a
man across the street beckoned to me.
1t was the strange knight He led me
into a narrow passage and through a
door but a few moments before my
pursuers rushed past. Organ, it
seemed, was the traitor, not the
strange knight.
II believed that it was you who had
betrayed me. I have wronged you"
said.
81 have a message for you from a
woman who loves you WE'LL said the
strange knight, 80 well indeed that
your heart is her only home, and thus
she enters it."
The last words were Kissed out as a
swift blow struck me. was saved
from death by the mailed shirt I wore.
1 knew the strange knight now-Lady
Aldrida!
She threw her arms around me and
called to my pursuers. / had to tear
myself from her. She staggered back
ward and fell. escaped into the next
street and soon found myself opposite
Organs house
There were lights within. Two or
three torches were before the door,
throwing grotesque shadows Of men
standing there, and in the street to
the left and to the right were torches.
The place was well watched
drew back into the passage down
which / had come and considered my
position. Organ knew OF the rope,
and since he had turned traitor it was
probably no longer in its place ready
for use
The more weighed the possibilities
that my only escape lay through the
house opposite. There was another
fact which hurried my decision.
heard the distant cries OF other bands
Of enemies who had been securing the
city in search of me. If a Desperate
effort was to be made, now was the
time to make it. 1 gripped my sword
firmly. made certain that the dagger
in my belt could be easily drawn and
then, with a prayer for safety, dashed
across the street
The men before the door were taken
by surprise, as I had calculated, but
they recovered themselves more quick
ly than 1 had expected. I was not
well within the doorway before the air
was filed with shoutings and the dark
ness with rushing men.
Take him aliveI Take him aliver
I dashed into the passage and sprang
up the stairs, but 1 had little start in
the race. My enemies were upon the
steps behind me, and that 1 might
not be struck in the back I was forced
to turn upon them. 1t was a moment
In which a man forgets the sacredness
OF human life. The FIRST who sprang
toward me fell back, with arms wide
spread. clutchlng at nothing in the air.
his soul leaping into the unseen ere
his body lay still. A second fell TO-
ward me fat upon his face A third
spun round and then pitched head
foremost into the crowd OF shouting
men below. Step by step I mounted |
backward. my face to the enemy. my
sword red from point to hi1t, the per- |
SEPARATION standing heavy upon my
face and arm.
What IS all thisT'
The voice behind me nearly took me |
OF my guard.
"out Of the way, old woman~ -
"Strike him DOWN.
"Her husband shall cudgel her pres
entity"
Shouting, they rushed at me again /
Bridget was behiHd me, but she did
not come close eAo1gh TO hinder my
defense I thought / heard her groWl |
with satisfaction as my foremost foes !
reeled back down the steps Still / |
retreated inward