The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1911-05-13

square. ran along OUTSIDE the Su6EU-
room. and, the night being warm, we
gathered there. two Or three together.
70 drink our wine.
Suddenly the tramp Of men sounded
in the square. and | saw Organ al
the head Of his company. | was seat
ed in such a position that he must
have seen NE. but he took no notice
It was an unusual thing for him 10
be there at all. l heard a captain
Of the guard ask him the reason
The kings orders" he answered
shortly.
Then there was the fare Of torches
in the square. and the king came out,
followed by several knights. I only
noticed one particularly. the one who
walked beside him. the strange knight
who had come 10 the city yesterday.
/ saw the king whisper TO him, and
the knights eyes wandered round the
square in search OF some one.
With my comrades l had risen TO
NY feet and stood waiting
The king did not look toward me, but
the knight did and our eyes met. Then
he turned to the king and spoke TO
him,
/ 'Perhaps II is 40 sight for such eyes
as yours" heard the king say. Re
tire II you will
The knight bowed and crossed the
square toward one Of The entrances
to the palace. There he paused.
There Is a traitor among Us. Guard
the square we'll We shall find a
short way of dealing with him. 1t
Is easy 10 play the traitor. but he shall
find II difficult 70 bear the punish
ment.
Escape seemed Impossible, but that
short method the king spoke Of came
as tonic to me and gave me the
courage of desperation. | saw O'Ryan
with his company waiting for the
kings command. | saw the knight
still at the palace entrance regarding
the scene as he might have watched
an interesting comedy. Who was he?
Surely it was he who had betrayed me.
There was a pause-a silence which
seemed long. Then the king looked
at me quickly, straight and without
hesitation. He knew exactly the spot
where l stood.
"SeiZe the traitor, Clinton" and his
arm shot out, pointing at me as he
spoke.
1t was no time to plead. My sword
was in my hand in moment, and
rushed TO the~Open side of the square.
1t never occurred TO me that l could
save my life. but | might escape the
fortress. | looked to see Organ rush
to fight his way out with me, but he
did not do so. Instead he gave a word
of command to his company and, lead
ing them, roared as he came:
For the kings honor! Seize the
traitor
was betrayed, indeed, and by the
man | had trusted. I dashed onward.
That the command to arrest me had
come suddenly gave me the advantage
for a moment. Those about me had
no time to lay hands upon me. l was
half across the space toward my only
hope of escape before a man came
within reach of my sword, and then
| seemed TO be surrounded.
, Take him alive" I heard a voice
cry. The devil who cried it was be
hind me- The devil was Organ.
Into the thick of my enemies l went
always a little space before me clear
ed by the swing of my weapon. Yet
they closed in upon me. Hands be
hind attempted to hold me, but
shook them off.
They rushed in upon me on every
side. l struck right and left with my
. sword. | struck out with my left
arm. 1 struggled forward. My enc
mics fell back from me. Only one
man seemed to stand between me anC
freedom. I cut him from my patti
and sprang over him as he fell.
Take him aliver'
The cry was behind me. My enc
mics were behind me, and l rushed
nadly through the streets Of the city.
l did not know the city well, and Il
my dismay l soon discovered that
r had travelled in a circle. Suddenly s
man across the street beckoned to me
1t was the strange knight He led mt
into a narrow passage and through {
Z door but a few moments before NJ!
' pursuers rushed past. Organ, j
\ seemed. was the traitor. not tn,
strange knight.
81 believed that it was you who hat
betrayed me. l have wronged you"
said
Il have message for you from
woman who loves you WE'LL said tn
strange knight, so well indeed tina
your heart Is her only home, and thu
II she enters it
; The last words were Kissed out as
swift blow struck me. | was save
, from death by the mailed shirt l wore
L l knew the strange knight now-Lad
Aldrida.
~ She threw her arms around me an
called to my pursuers. l had TO tea
myself from her. She staggered back
ward and fell. | escaped into the mex
street and soon found myself opposit
Organs house.
There were lights within. Two 0
three torches were before the dool
II throwing grotesque shadows Of me
I standing there. and in the street
the left and 10 the right were torche:
The place was well watched.
l drew back into the passage dow
which l had come and considered N
position. Organ knew of the ropt
and SINCE he had turned traitor 1t wa
probably no longer in its place read
for use.
The more weighed the pOssibiliti,
so much the more did it seem to n
that my only escape lay through II
house opposite. There was anoth'
fact which hurried my decision.
nd hs Ji.-ta 1pInS - hEar arlf